Parks Planner

General Description

This is a responsible, professional, and technical position in the Parks Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department. Work involves advanced planning, including routine and complex professional assignments for short- and long-range plans for the expansion, improvement, and maintenance of park lands, facilities, pools, recreational complexes, and related programs.

• Plans and organizes the preparation of specifications, estimates, and bid documents for park design, construction, renovation, landscaping, and related projects.
• Prepares contractual agreements and administers and monitors contracts.
• Collects, compiles, and analyzes data to assess current and forecast future recreational needs and open space requirements for equitable distribution of recreational amenities.
• Prepares or coordinates preliminary site plans, construction drawings, and specifications to include the design and layout of recreational amenities and facilities, including grading, drainage, paving, irrigation, plant materials, and play equipment systems.
• Produces conceptual plans, cost estimates, maps, layouts, graphics, and written materials related to park and recreational planning projects.
• Documents and evaluates gaps in the parks and recreation level-of-service needs.
• Plans the capital improvement projects budget in the ten-year City Public Improvement Fund.
• Reviews landscape and irrigation site plans submitted for subdivisions and commercial site plans for compliance with the Land Development Code.
• Participates in Conceptual Site Plan Review.
• Coordinates with horticulturist for species diversity and appropriateness.
• Assists in the coordination of Public Art installation and acquisition.
• Coordinates and administers grants and contracts from state and federal agencies.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or Urban Planning.
• Two years of progressive, responsible experience in roles related to park planning, design, and project management.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Possession of a landscape architect license is preferred.
• Master of Landscape Architecture, Recreation, or Architecture preferred.
• Must be certified Park and Recreation Professional eligible.

• Knowledge, understanding, and application of park design standards and principles.
• Knowledge of sports field and court layout dimensions, sports field lighting principles, natural and artificial turf construction, and recreational facility layout and design.
• Knowledge of Florida plant materials, irrigation, and maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of park level of service standards.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Florida Accessibility Code requirements in the design of parks and trail facilities preferred.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of public contract administration.
• Knowledge of Florida's planning laws and land development regulations.

• Demonstrated ability to direct and participate in complex planning studies, analysis of information, and formulation of substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written and verbal form.
• Ability to carry assignments to completion through the formation of creative solutions.

• The job requires sedentary work with occasional walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
• The job has no significant exposure to environmental hazards.
• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g., written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE