Principal Planner - Denver Parks and Recreation

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The starting pay range for this position is $91,373 - $121,069 / year based on experience and education. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to :

A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

457B Retirement Plan

140 hours of PTO earned within first year 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year

Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Location

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. The schedule will be 40 hours per week including 3 days in-office and 2 days work-from-home. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days. In this position, you can expect to work on-site at the Denver Post Building located on 101 West Colfax, Denver, CO, 80202. Some evenings and weekends will be required to attend City Council, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and other public engagement events related to Department of Parks and Recreation planning or capital projects.

What You’ll Do

Denver's Planning, Design and Construction Division consists of a team of highly knowledgeable professionals dedicated to the development and improvement of the City & County of Denver's network of parks, parkways, and recreation facilities. The Division's efforts in planning, design and construction management ensure that Denver's valuable system of parks and recreation facilities fosters Denver's development as a world-class city and enriches the lives of Denver's citizens and guests for years to come.

Are you seeking an impactful job opportunity to increase quality of life for Denver residents? Are you interested in helping to grow, plan and improve Denver’s parks system? Denver Parks and Recreation’s Planning, Design and Construction Division is excited to announce we are accepting applications for Principal Planner.

This position will lead complicated park and system-wide planning efforts, help shape the agency's annual and five-year capital plan, participate on inter-agency teams to advance parks and open space, refine the Division’s public engagement strategy and tools, and steward our tremendous system through policy and process improvements. Examples of forthcoming projects that are representative of the duties of a planner at this level include the Recreation Center Analysis and Strategic Plan, the Park Hill Golf Course visioning process, development of the annual DPR Capital Improvement Program (CIP) recommendations, and review of large development proposals and associated plans.

With dedicated funding resources, sound visionary direction, and a growing team – there is no better time to be a part of Denver’s Planning, Design, and Construction team!

Job duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following :

Planning Project Management

Applies best practice planning methodology to lead and manage highly complex and multi-faceted planning projects (including scope, schedule and budget) which may include citywide strategic plans and individual park vision plans

Exercises sound technical expertise and strong interpersonal and communication skills in complex and controversial matters

Oversees and executes procurement process to hire consultants, and coordinates and manages the work of consultants involved in the execution of planning projects

Provides timely and accurate reporting on project progress and addresses any project issues in coordination with internal staff or the public

Builds consensus and support for initiatives among diverse stakeholders and fosters positive public relations

Identifies, cultivates, and manages key internal and external partnerships such as city agencies, councilmembers, resident organizations, community-based organizations, and interest groups

Coordinates and facilitates public participation in multiple stages of project planning through community outreach and engagement, public presentations, and meetings (some meetings and events held in the evening hours or weekends

Leads refinement of the Division’s public engagement strategy and civic education and communications tools

Inter-agency and Development Coordination

Serves as a collaborative representative, technical expert, and department advocate on planning efforts led by other agencies

Works collaboratively with other agencies and the development community to advance parks needs as well as achieve outcomes beneficial to the city as a whole and development projects

Represents the department in policy development and process improvement in line with City goals

As necessary, supports the planning development review program, which includes reviewing and commenting on select projects that may represent an opportunity for significant park development

Team Leadership

Provide mentorship to other planners and other professionals within the Planning, Design and Construction Team, including providing guidance in navigating complex and controversial projects, situations, or communications

Foster relationships within Denver Parks and Recreation, promoting and open and inclusive planning environment for internal stakeholders, with a particular focus on collaboration with Recreation and Facilities

Lead development of a grant strategy to best position DPR for success in applying for, receiving, and managing grants

Lead the Historic Resources program, to include capital planning as part of the team’s annual budgeting process, recommending prioritization of historic preservation related capital project requests, and facilitating interdisciplinary reviews and collaboration

What You’ll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you, and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate will be a well-rounded and experienced planning professional who can implement a strong visionary approach to Denver’s Parks Planning initiatives. Our ideal candidate will be a resourceful problem solver, a proactive and strategic decision-maker, and an adept team-builder. A decisive yet collaborative and inclusive management style along with the ability to tactfully handle complex or sensitive situations will be critical to success. The ideal candidate will also foster productive working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Moreover, we are looking for a Planning professional who is enthusiastic about making a meaningful impact in the City and County of Denver and securing its development as a world-class city.

Additionally, our ideal candidate will have a combination of the following :

Master's Degree in Regional Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, or directly related field is preferred, not required

Experience coordinating and implementing all stages of public participation and collaboration in planning and design; experience conducting research and analysis to determine community needs; experience working with diverse communities developing trusting, collaborative relationships with key community stakeholders

AICP Certification or ASLA licensure is preferred, not required

Proficiency with Adobe Suite is preferred, not required

Bilingual skills (Spanish is preferred), not required

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement : Bachelor’s Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Engineering, or a related degree

Experience Requirement : Six (6) years of professional planning experience

Education / Experience Equivalency : One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements

License / Certifications : Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until 3 / 7 / 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than 3 / 7 / 2025 at 11 : 59 p.m. MST

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CE2159 City Planner Principal

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click .

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

91,373.00 - $150,766.00

Starting Pay

91,373 - $121,069 / year based on experience and education

Agency

Parks and Recreation

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Salary : $91,373 - $121,069