Parks Planning & Development Administrator

City of North Canton•North Canton, OH

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Administration, the Parks Planning & Development Administrator is responsible for the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of all North Canton City parks, trails, recreation facility rentals, and related capital improvement projects. This position is responsible for oversight of established recreation operational management agreements and public-facing recreation services. This position provides professional strategic park system planning, project planning and development, park grants, and sponsorships. Analysis and oversight of recreation service expansion, website and platform management, interdepartmental coordination, public engagement, and long-range capital improvement implementation. In coordination with the Director of Administration, the Parks Development Administrator will lead park development initiatives and is responsible for advancing projects from concept through design, funding, procurement, construction, implementation, and close-out. The position also ensures that contracted facility operators, management partners, and rental systems are functioning in accordance with City expectations and community service standards. The position ensures that park and recreation investments are strategically planned, publicly accountable, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the City’s Master Planning document and the 10-year strategic Parks Master Plan. This position is intended to strengthen the City’s capacity to manage complex park and recreation capital projects, oversee key recreation and facility management agreements, expand recreation opportunities, improve service delivery, pursue external funding opportunities, coordinate public-private partnerships, and deliver high-quality public amenities that enhance quality of life, neighborhood vitality, environmental stewardship, and long-term public asset value.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Planning, Public Administration, Construction Management, Natural Resources Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in park planning, parks and recreation administration, capital project management, public works/municipal project coordination, recreation operations, contract administration, facility rental management, grant administration, or a closely related field.
Municipal or public-sector experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with capital project planning, public procurement, recreation facility operations, management agreement oversight, public-facing software platforms, grant development, or park system implementation strongly preferred.
Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of parks and recreation planning, park development, capital project coordination, recreation operations, facility management, and public asset management.
Knowledge of municipal budgeting, capital improvement programming, grant administration, procurement, contract management, and revenue-generating public service models.
Knowledge of design and development considerations for parks, trails, playgrounds, athletic facilities, shelters, aquatic facilities, golf facilities, pickleball facilities, event venues, landscaping, accessibility, and public amenities.
Knowledge of management agreement oversight, facility operations, reservation systems, customer service platforms, and recreation service delivery.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and safety considerations related to public projects and recreation facilities.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and operational responsibilities simultaneously with competing deadlines.
Ability to interpret plans, specifications, contracts, budgets, schedules, operational reports, and technical documents.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, residents, consultants, contractors, developers, partner agencies, boards, operators, and staff.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and public communication skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, diplomacy, and professional discretion.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
May provide direction or coordination with park operators and volunteers.
Must possess and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a municipal parks and recreation department or local government setting.
Experience managing park, trail, playground, recreation facility, or civic space capital projects.
Experience with recreation facility rentals, reservation systems, website content management, or public service platforms.
Experience administering or overseeing management agreements, concession operations, or public-private operating partnerships.
Experience preparing or administering grants such as ODNR, Land and Water Conservation Fund, CDBG, Capital Budget requests, NatureWorks, Clean Ohio, or similar funding programs.
Experience with public engagement and presentation before boards, commissions, and elected officials.
Professional certification, such as CPRP, or project management credentials desirable but not required.