Parks Planner Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $86,201.00 - $112,061.00 Annually
Location : Parks and Recreation, Chapel Hill, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25/26-02045
Department: PARKS & RECREATION
Division: PARK MAINTENANCE
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Summary
Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is committed to its vision to Inspire-Create-Preserve through providing exceptional programs, facilities, and services designed to meet the diverse needs of all residents within the town. The Department is currently recruiting for a Park Maintenance Division Manager.
Do you have prior experience overseeing park maintenance programs and managing landscaping employees? Do you have exceptional customer service skills and value handling conflict resolution?
Are you a creative and visionary leader who enjoys engaging with people and desires to bring about new landscaping projects and services? Do you desire a new challenge to lead and collaborate with a talented team to grow park maintenance and increase the consistency of recreation opportunities that are available across Chapel Hill?
Are you committed to building and growing staff as the department strives to reach its full potential? Are you comfortable leading as well as following as you support staff and stakeholders in the provision of exceptional parks and recreation park maintenance services and growing a successful division?
If so, then this position may be for you!
SUMMARY:
The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual to join our dynamic team in a management position. The purpose of this position is to provide strategic management and leadership to the Parks and Recreation Department's Park Maintenance division. The position provides support, guidance, and direction to staff including supervisors and front-line staff performing a variety of roles such as park and cemetery management, maintenance, repairs, landscaping, arboriculture and tree care, equipment inspection, and more. In addition to staff management, the position also manages several large-scale landscaping and maintenance contracts providing services throughout Chapel Hill. The position serves as the division manager for the Town's parks, ensuring appropriate coordination of activities with the park spaces amongst internal and external partners.
The position develops and leads staff recruitment, training, and evaluation efforts within the Park Maintenance Division. The position collaborates with internal and external groups to produce data, reports, and narratives, including contracts, presentations, and justifications.
The position reports to the Senior Manager of Planning and Parks Operations. This position will be required to work during period of inclement weather, emergencies, etc.in order to ensure continued service delivery.
Essential Functions

• Directly supervises (3) Park Maintenance Supervisors; meets with supervisors to reviews job duties; and prepares all necessary evaluation paperwork for various steps throughout the process.
• Manages division budget; meets with section supervisors to discuss budget development process; communicates about the needs for each area; ensures budget meets specified criteria determined by the director; prepares budget paperwork; monitors each area throughout the year for projected revenue and expense; makes adjustments; accordingly, and makes recommendations for adds and cuts in the budget to the Senior Manager of Planning and Parks Operations.
• Coordinates projects and initiatives on behalf of the Town to include park, facility, and trail development and repair; right-of-way enhancements; tree preservation and arboriculture initiatives; delegates related work and project management to staff as appropriate.
• Interacts and works closely with stakeholders including staff from other departments and the general public; ensures provision of excellent customer service; resolves complex issues through negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Advises and supports managers and supervisors in their management of staff; hires staff; coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; develops work plans; recommends corrective action; implements corrective action procedures consistent with Town policy.
• Works with staff to ensure services meet the varied needs and expectations of the community; creates justifications and narratives; establishes performance standards and methods for a variety of activities; completes or ensures the completion of related evaluation.
• Participates in budget preparation and administration; develops and monitor's the Division's operating budget; prepares budget requests; authorizes expenditures.
• Completes service acquisition and purchasing compliant with Town regulations; reviews contract bids; assists in the selection of outside contractors; negotiates and develops contracts; oversees outside contractors to ensure compliance with contracts.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; responds to citizen concerns and complaints.
• Serves as a member of the Town's Emergency response teams during inclement weather and other periods when necessary.
• Attends conferences, workshops, and trainings to stay abreast of trends
• Coordinates and manages special projects.
• Completes all other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Physical Demands The work is performed while sitting at a desk or table, or walking various park and ground sites, with intermittent standing. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
Work Environment The work is typically performed in an office.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
A minimum of a associates degree in agronomy, horticulture, landscape management, parks and recreation management, turfgrass management, or a related field required.
Experience
A minimum 5 years of experience in a related field required.
Knowledge of:

• Landscape management practices and techniques, including but not limited to those related to horticulture, turf care, and arboriculture, and general facility maintenance practices.
• Relevant state and federal laws and Town ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Comprehensive knowledge of contracting and budgeting.
• Principles, practices and trends in management and supervision.
• Principles and practices of exceptional customer service.
• Emergency and safety procedures.
• Relevant state laws, and town ordinances
• Accounting principles and practices
• Budgeting practices and internal financial control procedures
• Computerized financial management practices and procedures
• Grant requirements
• Building and facility safety practices and operational procedures

Ability to:

• Ability to read literature, books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.
• Deal with a system of real numbers and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions, and measurement
• Write editorials, journals, speeches, manuals, or critique (Ordinarily, such education is obtained in at the college level or above. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study)
• Models behaviors that are consistent with our Town values of RESPECT

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:OTHER NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid NC driver's and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.
• NC Pesticide Operator's License for Turf and Ornamentals.

An Ideal Candidate Would Also Possess (Preferred Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, horticulture, landscape management, parks and recreation management, turfgrass management, or a related field required.
• Experience with developing and managing budgets.
• Multilingual

Supplemental Information
This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.
Health and Dental Insurance
Health and dental insurance are effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical and dental insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the medical plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members. Employees are responsible for the full cost of dependent dental insurance.
Retirement Health Savings Plan
Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.
Paid Time Off

• Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
• Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee's leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
• Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative

Local Government Retirement System
All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.
Supplemental Retirement Plans

• NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Empower.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by MissionSquare.

Disability Insurance

• Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee's base income up to $462 per week for non-job related injuries.
• Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.

Life Insurance
The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.
Direct Deposit
All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.
Other Benefits

• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at Civic Federal Credit Union.
• Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
• Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
• Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the following https://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing