Sr. Park Planner

Job Summary
Core activities are to develop long-term comprehensive park master plans for facility development and resource management of park properties. Coordinates and manages planning for new and/or potential park properties; and ensures that the parks' natural and historic resources and man-made facilities are planned and developed consistent with the philosophy and goals. Position requires the knowledge of established policies and procedures, laws, regulation standards and guidelines that range from clear to ambiguous. The theories, principles, practices and techniques of landscape architecture, park and recreation planning, and natural resources management must be applied when solving planning problems which are often complex in nature and involve many different entities and when preparing the comprehensive long-range master plans. The Planner must utilize considerable judgment to balance the needs of park users with the least environmental impact on park natural resources. The position requires strong communication skills and ability to gain cooperation and/or support for sometimes controversial projects, issues, and policies and when making recommendations that require considerable funding allocations and/or significantly change the facilities, resources and/or management.

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in landscape architecture or a related field is the minimum academic requirement and two (2) years professional planning experience in park and open space planning or a Master's Degree in landscape architecture alone may substitute for a Baccalaureate degree. Course emphasis should be on environmental land use planning, principles and practices in design development, project management and leisure recreation.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the theories, principles and practices involved in landscape architecture and recreation, master and land use planning, and cultural and natural resource management.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply laws and standards regarding recreation facility design and environmental impacts to natural resources.
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply computer technology to department planning need, including all Microsoft Office products, desktop publishing, Capital Improvement Program, ArcView and AutoCad. Ability to conduct studies, analyze results and make recommendations for solutions to park use and resource management problems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and develop, prepare, and draft park plans. Ability to develop and prepare a variety or reports regarding park planning, feasibility studies, legislation, and other related issues.