Park Planner

Park Planner

Join Bentonville Parks and Recreation in one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. Our planning team is helping shape the future of parks, trails, facilities, and public spaces through more than $250 million in active and upcoming projects. We are looking for a Park Planner who is ready to turn community needs into thoughtful, high-quality projects that improve daily life for residents and visitors.

This position is a unique opportunity to work in a city known for outdoor recreation, innovation, and community investment while helping build a park system that will serve Bentonville for generations.

• Prepares Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) and hires design firms for park and recreation projects.
• Prepares and reviews plans, specifications, contract documents, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for project designs.
• Designs and develops conceptual and master plan park projects.
• Performs professional and technical work in planning, designing consultant supervisory work and coordinating the construction of parks and recreation facilities; and provides responsive assistance to staff, other departments, and external stakeholders.

• Manages all design phases of capital projects by working with design firms and other city departments to ensure projects comply with all ordinances and requirements.
• Manages construction projects and conducts field checks for compliance with codes and regulations for contract projects and in-house projects.
• Coordinates and reviews the construction program of projects; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates management methods and procedures; meets with parks staff for review for departmental standards compatibility.

• Prepares staff reviews and city council agendas for projects.
• Is responsible for stamped drawings with licensed certifications.

• Assesses the feasibility of parks and greenway projects and identifies necessary changes.
• Advises Parks and Recreation staff on parks and greenways projects and identifies necessary changes.

• Creates plans and bids for in-house projects.
• Prepares cost estimates.
• Plans, designs, and coordinates construction of assigned park or recreation facilities; reviews construction to ensure compliance with designs.
• Represents Parks and Recreation in various review committees.

• Assists with easement acquisitions.
• Prepares grant applications and administers grant programs including reimbursement and payment processes.

• Conducts field investigations, parks and greenway surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting parks and greenway projects.
• Prepares graphic and narrative reports on parks and greenways data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor’s degree (B.

A.) in Landscape Architecture or civil engineering from an accredited college or university; and 5+ years of experience in urban development and/or parks planning. Also possesses an Arkansas Landscape Architecture License or Professional Engineer’s licenses; or has proof of eligibility for licensure in Arkansas. Has a demonstrated knowledge of construction materials and methods, storm water management, plant materials, horticultural practices, and plant associations.

Also has a demonstrated knowledge of industry standards as well as innovative technologies (bio-swales, rain gardens, stream restoration, porous concrete, etc.) ideologies, practices, and methodologies. Is proficient in use of information systems technologies, including (but not limited to) Arc Map, Auto Cad, Adobe Photoshop, word processing, presentations.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid…