Job Description:

POSITION TITLE: Sr Planner, Parks (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req7889
DEPARTMENT: Parks
LOCATION: 215 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $65,425.00 - 109,042.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $81,000.00 - 99,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 12/17/2024.

You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and motor vehicle report required.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) - eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire


• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires


• Retirement + company contributions - after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting


• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both


• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance


• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability


• Wellness program, workout facilities


• Employee/family onsite health clinic


• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility


• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Park Planner to lead the development, planning, and implementation of parks, and recreation projects, particularly those funded by the City's 2050 Tax for Parks and Recreation. As the Senior Park Planner, you will be responsible for guiding the realization of the City's vision as outlined in the ReCreate 2021 Parks and Recreation Plan and Parks Infrastructure Replacement Plan, helping to ensure that projects reflect the needs and aspirations of the community, while also embodying the City's core values of Partnership, Service, Safety & Wellbeing, Sustainability, Integrity, and Belonging.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fields such as landscape architecture, planning, or park and recreation management. In this senior role, you will play a central part in shaping the future of our parks system by establishing project goals and visions that are aligned with the City's plans and initiatives. You will lead public engagement efforts, ensuring that community input directly informs each project. Your role will involve collaborating with City staff, stakeholders, and residents to advocate for inclusive and sustainable parks and recreation spaces. You will also supervise the upcoming GIS position, which will be hired in 2025, helping to integrate a data-driven approach to asset management and future planning.

A Colorado-licensed Landscape Architect, an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification from the American Planning Association, or a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are all highly valued qualifications. In addition to these credentials, the candidate should have experience with GIS and other ESRI software products, as technical proficiency in these tools is beneficial. Additional certifications related to public process and community engagement, project management, or mapping would also be advantageous. Experience with park and trail-specific grant writing is another asset, as the ability to communicate effectively and leverage funding will be a future opportunity for this role.

The Senior Park Planner will be a visible leader in the community, representing the department at public forums, including City Council meetings and community workshops. You will be expected to engage the public in meaningful ways, facilitating discussions around park development and renovation, project priorities, and long-term planning. Strong communication skills, a visionary mindset, and the ability to speak confidently in public will be key to your success.

A critical component of this role is your commitment to equity in the planning and design process. You will ensure that all parks and recreation projects are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse needs of our community. Your ability to foster relationships and maintain open communication with community groups and partners will be essential to creating parks and spaces that serve residents of all backgrounds and abilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead transformative projects that will have a lasting impact on Fort Collin's parks and recreation system, ensuring that our community thrives now and in the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Serves as an expert in the park and recreation and development field.


• Leads neighborhood outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education efforts


• Provides proactive planning and coordination with City staff, developers, and landowners to identify and secure necessary land easements and/or property needed to advance parks and recreation master plans.


• Negotiate directly with Homeowner Associations (HOA)'s, individual landowners, and developers to identify and secure easements and property acquisitions.


• Support development review coordination and oversight with the multiple city departments and developers to identify and secure park and trail easements through the development review process.


• Act as project manager for assigned plans and other strategic plans as needed.


• Proactively coordinate and develop partnerships with City departments to identify and implement projects.


• Provide oversight and development of holistic GIS data base system for Park Department maintained assets.


• Coordinates with relevant agencies regarding park and recreation best practices.


• Works with other agency representatives to advocate and support interagency projects and initiatives.


• Coordinate with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), City Give and other grant providers to identify, secure, administer and closeout grants for projects.


• May direct the review and final approval, and signs final mylars, for park and/or trail improvements in new developments.


• Provides language to incorporate in Development Agreements, identifying developer and City responsibilities regarding future park and/or trail improvements and/or land acquisition.


• Manages the selection of professionals who will provide contractual planning, outreach, design and engineering services.


• Provides technical oversight of park and recreation projects through design and construction for ADA compliance.


• Administers project budget, determines expenditures, and maintains records to keep costs within budget.


• May direct the preparation of contract documents, manage bidding, and execute contract administration.


• Authorizes payments for work done by contractors or outside agencies. May authorize change orders.


• May inspect sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to engineering plans, specifications, and construction and safety standards, including ADA compliance.


• Serves as a technical information resource for the public, consultants and developers, City boards and departments, City Council, and other organizations regarding specific projects or general parks and recreation planning & design questions; may prepare presentations and written materials.


• Interprets and develop policies, standards, and City code language.


• Coordinates with other departments, agencies, or the public to facilitate project implementation; may secure City Council approval as required.


• Participates in staff and project review meetings, and coordinates with other departments or agencies to facilitate project implementation and compliance.


• May represent the Department Sr Manager in their absence.


• Performs technical writing for policies, plans, and grants.


• Assists in policy creation and code changes.


• Assists with the preparation of the Department budget.

Management Responsibilities

Yes

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.


• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.


• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.


• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including conflict resolution and negotiation skills.


• Knowledge of park and recreation planning, design & construction practices and procedures.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with hourly employees, contractors, consultants, developers, landowners, interdepartmental teams, Boards, Commissions, City Council, and the public.


• Ability to use spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing software.


• Knowledge of GIS a plus, but not required.


• Knowledge of city, state, federal and trade organization codes, standards and regulations.


• Technical writing skills.


• Excellent project management skills.


• Knowledge of contract development and management.


• Basic accounting and budgeting skills


• Ability to prepare and interpret bid documents and specifications.


• Ability to prepare and interpret detailed project cost estimates.

Required Qualifications

MinimumPreferredCollege degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban or Park Planning, Natural Resources, Civil Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred.

Experience Requirements

• Eight years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Colorado Professional Landscape Architect license preferred., AICP or other planning and/or NRPA credentials (CPRP) preferred.

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Sr Planner, Parks
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT REQUIRED

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Park Planner to lead the development, planning, and implementation of parks, and recreation projects, particularly those funded by the City's 2050 Tax for Parks and Recreation. As the Senior Park Planner, you will be responsible for guiding the realization of the City's vision as outlined in the ReCreate 2021 Parks and Recreation Plan and Parks Infrastructure Replacement Plan, helping to ensure that projects reflect the needs and aspirations of the community, while also embodying the City's core values of Partnership, Service, Safety & Wellbeing, Sustainability, Integrity, and Belonging.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fields such as landscape architecture, planning, or park and recreation management. In this senior role, you will play a central part in shaping the future of our parks system by establishing project goals and visions that are aligned with the City's plans and initiatives. You will lead public engagement efforts, ensuring that community input directly informs each project. Your role will involve collaborating with City staff, stakeholders, and residents to advocate for inclusive and sustainable parks and recreation spaces. You will also supervise the upcoming GIS position, which will be hired in 2025, helping to integrate a data-driven approach to asset management and future planning.

A Colorado-licensed Landscape Architect, an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification from the American Planning Association, or a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are all highly valued qualifications. In addition to these credentials, the candidate should have experience with GIS and other ESRI software products, as technical proficiency in these tools is beneficial. Additional certifications related to public process and community engagement, project management, or mapping would also be advantageous. Experience with park and trail-specific grant writing is another asset, as the ability to communicate effectively and leverage funding will be a future opportunity for this role.

The Senior Park Planner will be a visible leader in the community, representing the department at public forums, including City Council meetings and community workshops. You will be expected to engage the public in meaningful ways, facilitating discussions around park development and renovation, project priorities, and long-term planning. Strong communication skills, a visionary mindset, and the ability to speak confidently in public will be key to your success.

A critical component of this role is your commitment to equity in the planning and design process. You will ensure that all parks and recreation projects are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse needs of our community. Your ability to foster relationships and maintain open communication with community groups and partners will be essential to creating parks and spaces that serve residents of all backgrounds and abilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead transformative projects that will have a lasting impact on Fort Collin's parks and recreation system, ensuring that our community thrives now and in the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
Serves as an expert in the park and recreation and development field.Leads neighborhood outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education effortsProvides proactive planning and coordination with City staff, developers, and landowners to identify and secure necessary land easements and/or property needed to advance parks and recreation master plans.Negotiate directly with Homeowner Associations (HOA)'s, individual landowners, and developers to identify and secure easements and property acquisitions.Support development review coordination and oversight with the multiple city departments and developers to identify and secure park and trail easements through the development review process.Act as project manager for assigned plans and other strategic plans as needed.Proactively coordinate and develop partnerships with City departments to identify and implement projects.Provide oversight and development of holistic GIS data base system for Park Department maintained assets.Coordinates with relevant agencies regarding park and recreation best practices.Works with other agency representatives to advocate and support interagency projects and initiatives.Coordinate with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), City Give and other grant providers to identify, secure, administer and closeout grants for projects.May direct the review and final approval, and signs final mylars, for park and/or trail improvements in new developments.Provides language to incorporate in Development Agreements, identifying developer and City responsibilities regarding future park and/or trail improvements and/or land acquisition.Manages the selection of professionals who will provide contractual planning, outreach, design and engineering services.Provides technical oversight of park and recreation projects through design and construction for ADA compliance.Administers project budget, determines expenditures, and maintains records to keep costs within budget.May direct the preparation of contract documents, manage bidding, and execute contract administration.Authorizes payments for work done by contractors or outside agencies. May authorize change orders.May inspect sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to engineering plans, specifications, and construction and safety standards, including ADA compliance.Serves as a technical information resource for the public, consultants and developers, City boards and departments, City Council, and other organizations regarding specific projects or general parks and recreation planning & design questions; may prepare presentations and written materials.Interprets and develop policies, standards, and City code language.Coordinates with other departments, agencies, or the public to facilitate project implementation; may secure City Council approval as required.Participates in staff and project review meetings, and coordinates with other departments or agencies to facilitate project implementation and compliance.May represent the Department Sr Manager in their absence.Performs technical writing for policies, plans, and grants.Assists in policy creation and code changes.Assists with the preparation of the Department budget.
Management Responsibilities

Yes

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