Senior Park Planner

POSITION SUMMARY:
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is looking for a dynamic Senior Park Planner to join our Capital Planning Division. This position will be responsible for overseeing and supervising the development, design and construction of parks, greenways, nature preserves, recreation centers, and special facilities. The selected candidate’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to coordinating capital planning and development priorities, providing input in the park facility design process, presenting to citizen groups and advisory councils and communicate with other agencies, preparing master plans, site development plans and providing budget estimates. Additionally, they will work closely with internal as well as external partners on complex planning and development projects. The preferred candidate will be experienced in project management, budget and fiscal management of projects, and be comfortable engaging with our community in public forums.
By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with park, greenway trail, and recreation facility planning, design, and construction highly preferred.
• Long-range planning and project management experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate capital planning and development priorities.
• Provide input in the park facility design process.
• Conduct site analyses and direct the preparation of designs and specifications for park and greenway development projects.
• Advise Park and Recreation staff on park and greenways project feasibility, cost effectiveness, regulatory requirements and possible alternatives.
• Conduct field investigations, parks, greenways, and facility surveys, impact studies or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting parks and greenways project.
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on parks, greenways, and facilities projects; and access the feasibility of parks, greenways, and facilities projects and identify necessary changes.
• Prepare program statements and preliminary conceptual designs for the development or renovation of various projects.
• Prepare written reports, environmental statements, conditional use permits, program statements, preliminary and conceptual designs for development or renovation of various projects.
• Conduct and attend meetings with consultants, contractors, Department staff and other entities as required.
• Assist other staff as required to get projects planned, designed and constructed.
• Provide input in the park facility design process.
• Serve as a liaison and coordinate activities with other park and recreation divisions, county departments, outside adjacent agencies and various groups related to parks projects.
• Develop, direct and deliver presentations to citizens groups and advisory councils; and communicate with other agencies.
• Consult with property owners and developers concerning inclusion of property in the master plan.
• Recommend changes in project planning, scope, budget and timelines and assess the feasibility of park, greenway, and facility projects and identify necessary change.
• Coordinate and monitor performance of outside consultants and contractors; review drawings and specifications for construction projects.
• Guide the preparation of master plans, site development plans, budget estimates, construction and bidding documents.
• Hold public meetings as necessary, and confer with developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate and develop master plan.
• Review engineering calculations, plans, and specifications prepared by consultants.
• Prepare grants for park and greenway development and enhancements.
• Direct real estate acquisitions.
• Assist other staff as required to get projects planned, designed and constructed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of related planning and/or design experience.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field.
• Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes.
• Licenses/Certifications: Requires licensure as a design professional; Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and ability to obtain County Driving Privileges.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Adobe Suite.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:

• Informed about economic and legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Maintenance methods, materials and equipment utilized in parks, parks and greenways and other property upkeep and repair.
• Testing methods and procedures.

Skills:

• Mapping and graphic software suites including, but not limited to, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Drawing and hand graphics for generating plans, sections, elevations, and perspective views for planning and design purposes.
• Supervise contractors and employees in capital planning and maintenance activities.
• Developing high level cost estimates and experience with project budgets.
• Reading and interpreting plans and specifications.
• Preparing concise and accurate reports.
• Studying processes and make recommendations to improve same.
• Developing work standards.
• Defining work methods.
• Define and schedule projects and assign resources.

Abilities:

• Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
• Engagement Readiness: Demonstrating a willingness to commit to one’s work and to invest one’s time, talent, and best efforts in accomplishing organizational goals.
• Manages Work: Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.