Associate Parks Planner and Projects Coordinator

The position allocated to this class performs professional park, trail, and capital planning work for the Parks, Recreation and Golf Department. Duties include supporting land acquisition/conservation efforts, preparing grant applications and assisting with contract development and oversight. As experience and proficiency are gained, assignments expand to include more complex analytical, technical, and public-facing planning tasks. Work is performed under the direction of the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2, who provides technical guidance and reviews work.

The position requires sound judgment, initiative and the ability to learn and apply professional planning principles related to land use, site development, and park planning. Work is evaluated through reports, conferences and results achieved. Responsibilities increase in scope and complexity as the incumbent develops greater expertise.

• Assists with park, trail, and open-space planning projects, including the Park and Open Space Plan, Regional Trail Plan, site-specific plans, and the Conservation Futures Program. Plans and coordinates public engagement activities such as community workshops.
• Supports the development and annual update of the comprehensive project list for park and open space facilities for the six-year capital improvement program. May Provides data to support departmental budget preparation.
• Assists with planning and coordinating projects of limited complexity that require coordination with County staff, agencies, community groups, the general public, etc.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports summarizing project status, timelines, and fiscal information.
• Keeps the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2 & Director informed of project developments and identifies potential issues needing direction.
• Participates in implementing park projects, in coordination with contractors, consultants and internal teams.
• Assists in drafting contracts, use agreements, resolutions and staff reports under the direction of the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2, and in coordination with the Parks Director and legal staff, to ensure accuracy of content and legal compliance of documents and other work performed.
• Provides technical review of written plans, documents, codes, and policies under supervision.
• Conducts field inspections of natural area properties to evaluate site conditions or potential acquisitions. Fieldwork may involve traversing rocky, uneven and steep terrain, in varied weather conditions.

• Assists with developing and coordinating public involvement processes to notify, inform, and gather input from community groups, the general public, cities, counties, and tribal organizations on park planning and open space issues.
• Helps develop strategies to improve public engagement and participation.
• Supports presentation of design concepts and collection of public feedback to support consensus-building.
• Represents the department at public meetings as assigned and assists with delivering presentations.
• Explains basic planning concepts, design information, land-use terminology, and funding considerations.
• Develops informational materials, graphics and visual aids.
• Supports communication between the County, partner organizations and the public regarding assigned projects.
• Assists with administering the Special Events Program, including processing event permits and shelter reservations within the park system.
• Provides staff support to internal committees and the Board of County Commissioners on parks and open- space planning topics.
• Researches and prepares surveys and/or questionnaires to collect community input.

• Assists with real-estate activities, including research, outreach, and coordination of tasks related to Conservation Futures land acquisitions and other park land purchases.
• Maintains records of all County Park property, acquisitions, leases, legal actions, and related documentation.
• Conducts field evaluations of properties for potential park use.
• Supports negotiation preparation and documentation for property transactions under supervision and in coordination with legal and finance staff.
• Assists in acquiring real estate property rights (rights of way, easements, fee-simple, real estate, air rights, rights of entry, etc.).
• Performs research on property boundaries, zoning, ownership, assessments, market values, comparable sales and related land-use…