Park and Greenway Planner III

POSITION SUMMARY  
This position is responsible for a variety of general and specialized professional services with planning, design, and development of projects in the parks and recreation department.  Functions as the subject matter expert for new park and greenway design and construction projects, communicates with new development projects for parkland dedication and /or fee in lieu requirements, leads community outreach and engagement for new parks and greenway master plans, identifies/applies for grants to leverage additional project funding, and assists in development of new initiatives to improve level of service in existing parks and greenways.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to the Parks and Recreation Director. Works under general guidance from the Parks and Recreation Director to ensure coordination of objectives and priorities of the department. Incumbent has no supervisory responsibilities.

The work schedule is business hours with occasional evenings and weekends.  The starting annual salary is $74,843.96 (Grade M).  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.
1.    Plan, review and assist in the development of park improvement plans, the Department Parks, Recreation and Greenway Master Plan and other Town adopted planning documents related to parks, greenway and open space.
2.    Review land development applications and proposals to determine their impact on the Town’s Park system’s goals and objectives.
3.    Develops recommendations and communicates Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requirements as related to parkland dedication, fee-in-lieu payment, and greenway construction to potential developers and residents.
4.    Design, update and implement master plans, construction standards and specifications in such areas as land use and transportation, public services and facilities, community design, parks, greenways and open spaces.
5.    Negotiates, administers contracts and acts as a liaison with consulting architects, engineers, and contractors for greenway and park design and construction.
6.    Coordinates with other departments to provide accurate and timely information to potential developers and residents.
7.    Maintains project webpages and public information for park and greenway projects.
8.    Oversees new initiatives to improve level of service for park and greenway users.
9.    Develops work plans and strategies with the Director to meet business needs-both short term and long term; develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards to ensure success.  Ensures clear direction, proper implementation and Town conforms to legal requirements.
10.    Prepares and administers federal, state and local grant applications.
11.    Assists in development of the capital budget; forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, material and supplies; identifies and develops future capital improvement projects.
12.    Make presentations before governing bodies and neighborhood and community groups at meetings and functions on behalf of the department and the Town; provide information, respond to questions and collect information on community needs, concerns and interests.
13.    Responds to citizen inquiries and complaints.
14.    Provides advisory information to the Town Manager, Town Council, Town Committees, media sources, and the general public as assigned.
15.    Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

?    Knowledge of the principals of land use and development.
?    Extensive knowledge of principles, practices, regulations and techniques in land use and urban planning, including new urbanism techniques and urban design.
?    Ability to read and understand site, landscaping and building plans.
?    Ability to understand and interpret zoning and subdivision ordinances, urban design guidelines, and applicable sections of the Municipal Code.
?    Ability to read and understand site, landscaping and building plans.
?    Knowledge of development issues and concerns, neighborhoods, public participation techniques, and the development process.
?    Knowledge of the Town and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
?    Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
?    Ability to effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
?    Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
?    Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
?    Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
?    Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
?    Ability to develop, interpret and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department specific documents.
?    Ability to prepare, recommend and monitor an operating budget, including line item budgeting. 
?    Knowledge of management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time off, and maintaining personnel records.
?    Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
?    Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
?    Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
?    Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
?    Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations. 
?    Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
?    Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
?    Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
?    Knowledge of current office practices and procedures.
?    Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.
?    Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
?    Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form. 
?    Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
?    Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
?    Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
?    Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
?    Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
?    Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
?    Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
?    Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
?    Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.


MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering or related field; and
•    Three (3) years’ professional work experience in park and recreation facility design, or park and greenway planning and design.  
•    Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in planning, landscape architecture or related field.
    
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
•    Possess or have ability to obtain within a acceptable timeframe registration and valid license to practice their profession granted by the appropriate board in the State of North Carolina (such as the NC Board of Architecture & Registered Interior Designers, NC Board of Landscape Architects, NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, AICP Certification, etc.) 


PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.  
•    This work requires occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
•    Work has standard vision requirements.
•    Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
•    Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
•    Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
•    Work is performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and includes exposure to inclement weather, noise, vibrations, airborne materials, chemicals and live animals.  Work outdoors is limited.
•    Work is generally in a moderately noisy setting (e.g. business office, light traffic). 

Salary : $74,844 - $112,277