Director of Park Planning

Directs and/or coordinates the planning, design, and capital improvement activities of the park district. Develops, implements, and updates the master plans and design standards for the park system based on data and feedback gathered through various methods of community engagement. Oversees construction projects to ensure they are completed in accordance with design specifications, quality standards, and budget. Responsible for capital grant applications and management. - Organizes the preparation of master plans, site plans, feasibility studies, design standards, maps, drawings, etc., including the natural and built elements, ensuring plans meet quality standards and comply with regulatory codes and ordinances. - Serves as State and Federal prevailing wage coordinator. Responsible for maintaining records relating to prevailing wage and activities. - Prepares sketches, scale drawings, contract drawings, and specifications for park infrastructure and amenities. - Conducts site analyses to investigate and collect data for proposed park enhancements and budgeting; studies conditions of development and improvement sites including topographical features, trees, rock formations, drainage paths, natural areas, man-made structures and impact to environment and surrounding areas. - Assures compliance with all federal, state and local agency regulations related to assigned projects or tasks. Obtains and keeps records of required permits and documentation. - Oversee project manager for major building construction and repair projects to ensure conformance to plans, specifications and quality standards. - Oversees legal bid process – including construction contracts and invitations to bid, bid specifications, legal notices, pre-bid meetings. Handles bid openings, pre-construction, and project meetings. Analyzes bids and responses, prepares bid tabulation charts or other project cost summaries, and makes recommendations as to award of contracts. - Maintains design consultant Request for Qualification (RFQ) files and associated records. - Composes grant strategies and applications and proposals to grant funders, sponsors and donors for capital improvement projects. - Serves as MetroParks representative to local boards and planning committees and attends public meetings. - Engage with the community through presentations, surveys, focus groups, etc. to inform planning decisions and advance the mission and brand of MetroParks. - Serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, participating in the development of park system strategy, policy, culture, and long/short range planning. - Serve as the Agency’s accessibility coordinator. - Performs other duties as assigned. **Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:** - Ability to prepare accurate and professional quality scale drawings and presentations. Must possess the ability to operate appropriate equipment and software, including CAD, GIS, presentation software, word processing, graphics, copier, scanner, etc. - Must possess the ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision, including setting objectives; crafting, implementing, executing, and evaluating tactics to achieve completion of those objectives. - Must possess excellent written, oral communication skills, above-average public presentation skills. - Provides positive interaction, fosters collaboration, creates connections and values teamwork with staff at all levels. - Understands and demonstrates the importance of internal and external collaboration and actively supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values. - Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability. Forward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions. - Leadership skills (individual and team): coaching, team building, goal setting, decision-making, ensuring accountability, problem solving, and analytical skills. - Strives to seek opportunities and has a willingness to bring ideas forward. - Abilit…