Senior Park Planner

Senior Park Planner

(Full Time, Exempt)

Hiring Rang is $67,911 - $85,066 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Planning Manager, this position is responsible for project management including design and planning, preparing construction documents, writing specifications, presenting at public and Board meetings, and overseeing management and entitlement of specific capital improvements to parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facilities. This position supervises the Park Planners, assists in preparing and administering capital improvement budgets, and assists in carrying out the overall mission and goals of the Planning and Development Department.

Essential Duties:

• Assists the Planning Manager in carrying out the Department's vision, mission and goals. Promotes and fosters an organizational culture based on superior customer service, the guiding principles and values of the District and its mission to the community.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Performs conceptual and master planning, park development entitlement process, park design, detailed construction drawings, cost estimating, and specification writing for capital improvement projects.
• Prepares and issues bid documents for capital improvement projects. Coordinates, reviews and negotiates bids and makes recommendations for value engineering and awarding contracts.
• Acts as project manager and field coordinator for parks, trails, open space and recreation facility capital improvement projects.
• Works cooperatively with the Construction Inspector to accurately document field conditions, problem solve, prepare punch lists, and ensure projects are completed per the contract documents.
• Prepares appropriate paperwork and reports to complete project tasks, including budget management and financial reports related to capital improvement projects.
• Coordinates projects with the Construction Inspector, Planning Analyst, internal departments, multi-discipline consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Produces computer graphics varying from rendered site plans to technical construction drawings and details, including 3-D graphic perspectives as necessary to convey design ideas.
• Attends public meetings to review and present plans to citizen groups, developers, various governmental agencies, city council, planning commission, District staff and District Board of Directors.
• Facilitates public input meetings with homeowner associations and citizen and user groups.
• Acts as the District's representative for inter-agency project design with entities such as cities, counties, utilities, school districts, etc.
• Acts as department leader in the absence of the Planning Manager.
• Manages and/or prepares technical specifications, standard details, and other design standards and documents to ensure consistency in project development and reporting.
• Establishes and reviews work related task for the Park Planners and responds to project and policy questions from the Planning and Development Department team.
• Assists in writing grant applications to Arapahoe County Open Spaces, Great Outdoors Colorado, and others.
• Assists in analyzing and preparing budgets for the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and professionally, and make timely and appropriate decisions.
• Effectively handles a variety situations and is responsible for developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with District employees, vendors, and citizens. Responds promptly to citizen inquiries, and handles citizen complaints in an appropriate manner.
• Required to attend multiple weeknight and occasional weekend meetings.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, trainings, and orientations.
• Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Education and/or Experience:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture from a university accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board.
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional landscape design, park planning or other closely related experience with one (1) year project management experience.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with managing consultants, construction administration, field inspections, and entitlement processes.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of park planning terminology, construction procedures, park development processes and procedures, recreational planning principles, and methods and techniques of land use and environmental and site planning.
• Demonstrated skills in AutoCAD and computer generated graphics.
• Excellent verbal, graphic and written communication skills including developing, facilitating and leading presentations.
• Must be highly motivated and take direction well with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbally.
• Ability to research, gather, organize and analyze information.
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, patrons, and supervisors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, government agencies, public officials, consultants, vendors, contractors and the public.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.

Material and Equipment Used:

To successfully perform the required job duties, this position regularly uses a computer, phone and other office equipment. Computer programs such as AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, Bluebeam, Sketch Up and other graphics programs, Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project and Microsoft Internet Explorer are required. This position also sometimes uses manual drafting equipment, instruments, materials, and plotter/scanner/printer. This position may need to drive a District vehicle and/or a personal vehicle for business purposes.

Working Environment:

This position primarily works in a comfortable office environment subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Works outdoors on construction project job sites subject to variable weather, ecosystems and landscapes.

Physical Requirements:

Stand, walk, sit for extended periods, handle and operate objects and office equipment, reach outward and above shoulder and carry, pull, push or lift up to 25 lbs. Navigate construction job sites with uneven terrain and obstacles. The employee must be able to see close up and at a distance with vision acuity and the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision. The employee must communicate clearly and effectively, must understand and be understood.

This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.

We've Got You Covered!

South Suburban pays:

• 90% of the employee-only medical insurance cost
• 68% of dental & vision insurance cost
• 100% short-term & long-term disability cost
• 100% life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance cost

South Suburban offers:

• FSA options for additional medical expenses

Happy Employees Are the Best Employees

• South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!
• Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $360 annually

Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy

• 10 paid holidays per year
• 4 personal days per year
• Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself

We've Got Your Back

• Up to 8% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vests after 3 years of service
• Diverse trainings to grow your professional and personal skillset
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $1,800 per year

Play Where You Work

• Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few
• Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors

We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:

• Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools
• 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants
• $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses

To view a complete listing of the District's most current benefit package, please visit http://careers.ssprd.org

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.