Park Planner

Job Description

This class is the second level in a five-level Planning Series devoted to paraprofessional and professional support of municipal planning for a variety of operations and functions including strategic planning, comprehensive planning, land use, community development, parks, and operational planning. Incumbents provide professional journey-level planning work in the area of assignment.

The Park Planner will join a team of highly motivated planners and designers in the Park Development & Communications division of Raleigh Parks. Our department plays an essential role in fostering the quality of life that makes Raleigh such a great place to live, responsible for over 150 public parks and an ever-expanding network of greenway trails, community centers, art centers, athletic facilities, historic properties, playgrounds, lakes, nature preserves, and open spaces.

We manage a wide variety of park projects from long-range planning through design, permitting, and construction. Every step of the way, we work closely with community members to build authentic relationships and ensure that all people—no matter the color of their skin, age, gender, income level, or ability—have access to and feel welcome in the places, programs, and facilities that we provide.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides project management with relation to parks, trails and greenways development; Designs and implements community engagement plans, surveys, public meetings, and other initiatives in support of park planning projects;
• Conducts development plan review representing parks and natural resources; Participates in land acquisition decisions; Liaison with other City departments for the integration of trails, connections and greenways within transportation corridors;
• Researches and gathers information related to planning efforts; prepares reports, maps, charts, data, presentations and/or other materials derived from research and analysis
• Facilitates communications and project work with internal and external stakeholders; coordinates and monitors consultant work; develops work plans; monitors project status and quality of services; provides updates and recommendations to leadership
• Prepares and reviews technical documents and correspondence which may include request for qualification/request for proposal documents, grant applications, design schematics, graphs, charts, and detailed design plan documents
• Evaluates current programs, processes, and procedures; recommends improvements; facilitates and assists in implementing new processes and approved program changes; serves as a liaison and representative of assigned area and coordinates and supports partnerships with other departments, external organizations, and community groups; assists with special project administration and coordination
• Identifies, develops, implements, and maintains processes and practices that promote effective, comprehensive, and meaningful citizen engagement
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in planning or public administration or field directly related to assignment and at least two years of related professional planning experience.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of planning administration, program administration and management, project management, and qualitative and quantitative research
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment)
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment

Skill In:

• Managing a project or program
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices
• Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason
• Interpreting, monitoring and reporting financial information and statistics
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands
• Authoring and preparing original reports, technical documents and presentations
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment)
• Reviewing technical plans for public and private development, including rezoning applications, subdivision plans, administrative site review, and site plan review
• Providing quality customer service
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications including, but not limited to MS Office suite, Adobe suite, and ArcGIS
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: fingering, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Working Conditions:
Work is routinely performed in an indoor, office environment with periodic outdoor field work. This position will require occasional work during evenings and weekends for public meetings and special events.

Note: This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.