Park Planner Senior

Posting Date

01/07/26

01/14/26

$75,000 - $116,500 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Unclassified

Parks and Recreation

The Park Planner Senior is responsible for leading and managing complex planning and development projects for parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities. This position plays a key role in long‑range planning, master planning, capital project development, grant acquisition, and public engagement. The Park Planner Senior provides expert guidance and coordination with internal departments, external agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure park projects align with strategic goals, community needs, and environmental best practices.

Additionally, the Park Planner Senior will supervise the growing Natural/Cultural Resource Division.

Welcome to the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department! Maricopa County parks offer visitors the best of the Sonoran Desert, from hiking on a barrier‑free trail to horseback riding along a creek to testing your mountain biking skills and abilities on a competitive track.

At approximately 120,042 acres of parkland and 651 miles of trails, Maricopa County is home to one of the largest regional park systems in the nation. Currently, there are twelve parks in Maricopa County's regional park system. Each is unique and offers its visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

In addition to the parkland, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department oversees the Maricopa Trail, a 315‑mile trail system that encircles the valley and links all of the regional parks together. The department is staffed by a team of passionate employees, park hosts, and volunteers who are dedicated to providing park visitors with the best customer experience possible. Join us today!

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work‑life balance, with a hybrid work schedule option
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low‑cost, high‑value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on‑site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
• Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in park or open space planning, including at least one year in a supervisory role
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Parks and Recreation Management, Environmental Design, or a related field
• Master's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for up to two years of the experience requirement

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
• Supervisory experience in a public agency or multidisciplinary team setting
• Experience managing staff performance, mentoring planners, or leading project teams
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination
• Proficient in GIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, or related planning/design software
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public presentations and report writing
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, ADA compliance, and sustainable design principles
• Experience in interagency collaboration or working in a public‑sector environment

• Lead and manage park planning projects, including master plans, feasibility studies, resource management, site analysis, and development plans, including cost estimates and capital improvement phasing
• Coordinate the development of long‑range strategic plans, trail…