Senior Parks Planner

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** Salary Range
** 8,092.##
** Job Summary
** With a fabulous waterfront, vibrant downtown, great parks, neighborhoods and public spaces, a commitment to smart growth, excellent service delivery and community engagement, Vancouver, Washington is all grown up, and we need excellent talent to keep us going (and growing) strong!
If who we are speaks to you, and if you’re the type of person who is interested in joining a team invested in planning for the future of Vancouver then the City of Vancouver may be for you.
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Parks Planner. The primary responsibilities for the job are to lead planning efforts for the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (PRCS) Department. This work ensures that the Department establishes effective and future focused policies and key strategies that will maximize community impact within available resources.
This includes maintaining and implementing the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan, monitoring the distribution of park facilities and assessing needs, leading park system acquisition and expansion, oversight of the parks impact fee program, preparation of technical and policy related reports and mapping, securing additional funding including grants and coordinating on review of development proposals. The position reports to the PRCS Director.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt union position.
At this time, this position is eligible for telework or hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion based on business needs. Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the City cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Open until filled. First review of applications on February 19, 2026.##
** Job Details
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* Essential Functions:

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* ** Park planning:
** develop and maintain the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan and contribute to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Ensure that polices and strategies are effective in reflecting community vision and are compliant with applicable laws, standards and best practices. Present complex planning information to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission and the Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission.
* ** Parks inventory management:
** Research and maintain relevant information and documents pertaining to property ownership, land restrictions and agreements. on all properties owned and managed by Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services.
* ** Grant management:
** research and pursue grants and other funding sources that support parks and recreational opportunities. Manage application, submission, reimbursement and reporting.
* ** Park and open space acquisition:
** manage all aspects of the land acquisition program for parks, natural areas, trails and special facilities; includes research, analysis, evaluation, negotiations and real estate acquisition process.
* ** Parks impact fee program:
** maintain core analysis and policy direction that supports the implementation of impact fees to support parks and recreation facilities. Provide technical evaluation of park impact fee program, presenting recommendations for program updates to the Parks Commission and City Council to ensure fees support growth and updates of park properties.
* ** Park design:
** contribute to park design efforts, ensuring plans are consistent with the comprehensive plan and that location and level of development is consistent with planning goals, is well distributed, and meets the needs of the community.
* ** Land use planning review:
** coordinate responses on development review project applications that evaluate potential impacts and mitigation measures to protect city park system.
* ** Mapping:
** review, update and maintain various maps and property Inventory documents.
* ** Partnerships and community engagement:
** represent the department in interagency relationships and participate in engagement with the community on projects and planning efforts.
* ** Strategic management:
** Serve as a departmental leader driving innovation, process improvement, and organizational efficiency across projects and service delivery.
* ** Budget development:
** support the preparation and maintenance of the Department’s budget with particular focus on ensuring a successful capital program.
* Integrate the department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement into City sponsored community events and other programs.##
** Qualifications
* *** Experience and Education
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* Experience:

*** Five (5) years
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* Education:

*** Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy or a related degree. Master’s degree preferred but not required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
** Computer Skills
*** Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
* Experience in mapping and GIS
** Required Licenses and/or…