Parks Sr. Planning & Development Specialist

Position Description

About SPR:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate, and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs, and facilities. #OneSeattle

SPR offers an amazing array of career opportunities. Regular employees enjoy competitive pay and benefits packages, generous leave programs, and the satisfaction of doing work that helps make Seattle a great place to live, work, and play.

Planning & Capital Development Branch:

The Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD) of Seattle Parks and Recreation acquires, plans, designs, and develops new park facilities, and makes improvements to existing park facilities to meet evolving community needs.

The Planning Unit within PCD branch is responsible for, among other tasks, overseeing the initiation, budgeting, and completion of capital projects, administering the Equitable Park Development Fund, and delivering long-term planning services that move SPR to a pro-active stance on climate change, equity, and asset management through high-quality and timely public service.

The importance of parks and recreation to the people of Seattle cannot be overstated. The City has one of the world's best parks systems and recreational programming services and is currently the most well-funded systems in the country. This is because the community has worked to protect existing resources and always seek opportunities to create new spaces. The staff at Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) understand the responsibility they carry as stewards of these invaluable assets. We pride ourselves in our ability to meet the high expectations of our residents in a work environment that is friendly, professional, and compassionate.

For the 2023 calendar year, the Planning unit will be overseeing the completion of capital projects from 2022, initiation of the Equitable Park Development Fund, the implementation of LCLIP funded projects and a slew of new anticipated capital initiatives within the 2023 Park District. This role within the Planning Unit of Seattle Parks and Recreation will help us deliver long-term planning services that move SPR to a pro-active stance on climate change, equity, and asset management through high-quality and timely public service.

Job Responsibilities
The successful candidate will support the above described goals by:

• Leading the development, management and implementation of parks planning projects to secure professional services, engage the public, create schematic designs, and manage assets to support the Departments Capital Improvement Program work.
• Developing goals, objectives, and criteria for projects and programs and evaluates/monitors programs and process.
• Preparing RFPs, consultant contracts, coordinates, and monitors the work of consultants and may participate in selection of consultant.
• Developing guidelines for and performing updates and maintenance of asset data in GIS and AMWO during condition assessments or at the completion of capital projects. This includes providing quality control check on data received by consultants, contractors, and designers, attending site walkthroughs when necessary, and extracting pertinent information from AutoCAD design documents and Operations and Maintenance Manuals.

• Serving as a liaison with other City departments and agencies, business interests, and community groups to coordinate planning activities, including public involvement process.
• Provide reports and maps to inform plans, policy, and in response to emergent requests.
• Planning events and other means to engage the public and stakeholders.
• Bringing projects through SPR and other required review processes to create schematic designs that support the Department's CIP work.
• Managing condition assessments, feasibility studies and other preliminary and pre-design processes to inform SPR's Asset Management Plan and Capital Improvement Program.

• Developing scopes of work and coordinating with maintenance and operations staff for planned projects.
• Assisting higher level staff in presenting recommendations to elected officials and advisory boards.
• Preparing and delivering presentations that include charts, graphs, and other visual aids.
• Representing the Department at various meetings, hearings and on planning committees.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• T hree years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation; or other work directly related to City planning and development activities; and

• A baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field (or a combination of education and/or experience and/or training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Five years of experience in planning and research related to open space development and preservation, land use, urban economics, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work; and

• A baccalaureate and master's degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
• At least two years' e xperience working in the public sector in the delivery of capital projects.
• Two years' experience with long range planning.
• Two years' e xperience engaging with a diverse public, managing multiple projects concurrently, and a passion for public space creation/improvement.
• Two years' e xperience managing staff to complete work and meet deadlines.

Additional Information

• As part of the selection process, candidates will be required to complete a writing proficiency exercise if selected for an interview.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

• Currently, SPR staff are required to work in the office at Elliot Bay Office Park at least two days a week with telecommuting available the remaining days of the week.
• Work is performed in an office environment, with some field work required to visit and prepare assessments of parks and recreation facilities.

• Requires working some nights and weekends to attend meetings and hearings.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Washington Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility

The full salary range for the position is $47.57 - $55.44 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 9/19/2023 4:00 PM Pacific