Parks Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Community

This nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons and abundant natural open space. World class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.
The Branch

The Community Services Branch is responsible for providing general strategic and administrative direction for the Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Housing & Homeless Services, Library & Cultural Arts Departments, and the Real Estate Division.
The Department

The Parks & Recreation Department of the Community Services Branch provides leadership, planning, and administrative services to help develop and sustain quality parks and recreation programs. The department offers a wide range of programs and services for youth and adult sports, instructional classes, camps, aquatics, preschool, teens, seniors and special events. The department operates and maintains four community centers, a senior center, two aquatic centers, two historic sites, 14 community parks/school fields, three dog parks, two skate parks, 28 special use areas/parks, 12 facility landscapes, 10 beach accesses, 43 miles of trails, 715 acres of habitat preserves and natural open space, 30 acres of future parkland, all city street trees, 68 acres of street median planters and nine acres of street parkways. In addition, the department administers the management and operations agreement for The Crossings at Carlsbad, an 18-hole championship municipal golf course and event facility. The Crossings at Carlsbad includes a 6,835 yard par 72 municipal golf course, and a clubhouse complete with a golf shop, player's lounge, banquet facilities, spacious fireplace-lit dining room, full-service kitchen, and a outdoor deck with ocean views.
The Position

Are you a creative, strategic leader who's passionate about shaping vibrant public spaces? Do you thrive in a role where no two days are the same, collaboration is key, and your work directly impacts the community? If so, we'd love to meet you.

We're looking for an energetic, forward-thinking Parks Services Manager to guide the future of our parks, preserves, beach accesses, and public landscapes. As a vital member of the Parks & Recreation Leadership Team, you'll help drive big ideas, champion exceptional service, and support a talented team dedicated to creating extraordinary outdoor experiences for our community.

What You'll Do
In this role, you'll lead two significant sections within the Parks Division:

• Parks Planning/Development & Preserves Management

• Parks/Trees Maintenance & Operations

You'll work closely with departments across the city, partnering agencies, and community stakeholders to bring projects to life, address complex challenges, and ensure our parks, preserves, beach accesses and public landscapes remain beautiful and well maintained for all. You'll coach and support both management and represented staff, champion continuous improvement, and help create a workplace where people feel valued and inspired.

Your Impact Will Include

• Providing visionary leadership to Parks Division staff, projects, and programs

• Overseeing planning, development, policy implementation, and funding strategies

• Building strong partnerships inside and outside the city

• Elevating customer service and ensuring positive experiences for all stakeholders

• Managing complex administrative and technical projects with confidence

Who You Are
You're a self-starter and a problem-solver. You're a people-centered leader who sets high expectations and models professionalism every day. You combine strategic thinking with hands-on experience, and you're energized by opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and make a difference.

This highly visible, single-incumbent position reports directly to the Parks & Recreation Director and plays a key role in steering the city's vision for parks, preserves, beach accesses and public landscapes.

You Belong in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

First application review will be conducted the week of June 1, 2026.

Plan, organize, and direct work, contracts and programs associated with the Parks Division.
Coordinate open space and natural preserve activities including site analysis, habitat restoration, trail use, and resource management.
Assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow to evaluate program measures and their impacts on parks, preserves and open space.
Conduct special studies and prepare comprehensive reports to the public, the Parks & Recreation Commission, the City Council, and other interest groups, on Parks Division activities.
Develop goals, objectives, policies and priorities for the Parks Division.
Prepare, administer and monitor the operating budgets for assigned programs.
Oversee large scale, complex request for proposals and the selection of architects, consultants, contractors, and operators.
Review landscape design and layout work, such as grading, building, irrigation, and planting plans for parks and recreation areas.
Inspect and review the work of subordinates/contractors and oversee the installation of various landscape features.
Coordinate the procurement and replacement of vehicles and equipment used in above maintenance work.
Assist in the enforcement of city ordinances governing the safe and proper use of parks & recreation areas.
Respond to citizen complaints and requests for information.
Initiate, review and approve requisitions and expenditures for materials, supplies and services.
Review and approve labor estimates and materials costs for work to be performed.
Maintain records of work performed, staff/contractor hours allocated, and supplies used.
Attend meetings and provide information on Parks Division activities.
Coordinate division activities with other city departments and divisions, and with outside agencies.
Participate in Capital Improvement Program budget preparation, administration, and monitoring.
Hire, manage, train, and evaluate subordinate managers and association staff.
Serve as Parks & Recreation Director as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and best practices in landscape management, modern methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in the planting, cultivating, propagating, irrigating, fertilizing, and trimming of trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns.
• Project management.
• Plant pests and diseases, and the methods for their control and eradication.
• Basic construction and repair methods, including carpentry, pipe fitting, painting, and concrete.
• Safe work practices and corresponding legislative mandates.
• Storm water pollution prevention practices and corresponding legislative mandates.
• Record-keeping and reporting procedures.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

• Prepare and administer division budgets and grants.
• Work collaboratively with a broad array of state and local officials and other stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Plan, assign, and manage subordinate management staff in the performance of park maintenance, park planning and open space monitoring activities.
• Maintain proper records and prepare accurate reports.
• Read and interpret construction plans and specifications.

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: