Park Planner

Please Apply By:
Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Hiring Range: $63,080.00/yr - $82,792.50/yr

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to add a Park Planner to our team! This full‑time position will work within our Capital Planning Division and will be responsible for supporting and participating in the development, design and construction of parks, greenways, nature preserves, recreation centers, and special facilities. Experience with greenway trail planning, design, and construction is ideal but not required.

The incumbent will coordinate capital planning and development priorities, provide input in the park facility design process, serve as a liaison for project management, budget and fiscal management of projects, and present to and coordinate with citizen groups, partners and advisory councils. Additionally, they will work closely with internal partners as well as external vendors and contacts throughout the design and implementation project phases.

The preferred candidate will have strong experience in public speaking and community engagement as this role will require the incumbent to engage regularly with the public regarding project updates and developments. Some night and weekend meetings may be required.

• 4-5 years of related planning and/or design experience
• Professional Licenses (PE, PLA, etc.) and/or AICP Certification
• ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD utilization experience

• Coordinate capital planning and development priorities
• Assist in the implementation of Meck Playbook, Mecklenburg County’s Park & Recreation Master Plan
• Provide input in the park facility design process
• Develop planning and design studies for park and recreation projects
• Prepare written reports, environmental statements, maps, specifications, drawings and necessary documents related to park and recreation projects
• Advise Park and Recreation staff on parks and greenways project feasibility, cost‑effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible alternatives
• Conduct public workshops and communicate effectively with various neighborhood communities in development of park, greenway trails, and recreation facility projects
• Conduct field investigations, parks, greenway, and facility surveys, impact studies or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting park and recreation projects
• Hold public meetings as necessary, and confer with developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate and develop master plan
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on park, greenway, and facility projects; and assess the feasibility of parks and greenway projects and identify necessary changes
• Consult with property owners and developers concerning inclusion of property in the master plan
• Prepare program statements and preliminary and conceptual designs for the development or renovation of various projects
• Coordinate and monitor performance of outside consultants and contractors
• Write grant proposals and research opportunities for park and recreation facility development and enhancements
• Suggest real estate acquisitions
• Serve as a liaison and coordinate activities with other Park and Recreation divisions, county departments, outside adjacent agencies and various groups related to parks projects

Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years of related planning and/or design experience

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Geography, Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or a related field

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Licenses/Certifications:

Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges

Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Adobe Suite

• Informed about economic and legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations
• Maintenance methods, materials and equipment utilized in parks, parks and greenways and other property upkeep and repair
• Testing methods and procedures

• Mapping…