Planner 3 - Landscape Architect

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Planner 3 - Landscape Architect is a full-time civil service position with the Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation Department. The role primarily supports development of greenways across Nashville and acquisition of land for parks, trails, and conservation. The Greenways & Open Space Division plans and develops a connected greenways system and acquires open space for future park development in support of community health, recreation, and conservation. Metro Parks and Recreation manages facilities and programs throughout Davidson County and oversees nearly 16,000 acres of open space, including 189 parks and 110 miles of greenway. Its mission is to sustainably and equitably provide everyone in Davidson County with an inviting network of parks and greenways that support health, wellness, and quality of life through recreation, conservation, and community. The Planner 3 manages greenway and open-space projects from planning and design through acquisition and construction, including public/private partnerships and easement acquisitions. The role coordinates public engagement, stakeholders, regulatory reviews, consultants, agencies, contracts, budgets, grants, and capital planning. It also conducts site visits and field inspections, prepares plans and presentations, supports policy development, and performs related administrative work. Driving or operating a vehicle is necessary for site inspections and stakeholder meetings. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and six years of planning experience, or a master's degree in planning or a related field and four years of planning experience. Employees must register for Metro's Human Resources Supervisory Training Program before completing their probationary period or work test and finish the coursework within 12 months. A valid driver's license is required. Employees must be Tennessee residents or become residents within six months of employment. Candidates with accreditations earned at foreign institutions are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and six years of planning experience, or a master's degree in planning or a related field from an accredited college or university and four years of planning experience.
Valid driver's license.
Register for Metro Human Resources Supervisory Training Program before completion of the probationary period or work test and complete all coursework within 12 months.
Be a Tennessee resident or become one within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with project management.
Experience leading design teams and/or managing projects.
Degree in Landscape Architecture.
Licensed Landscape Architect.
AICP-certified Planner.

Responsibilities

Manage planning, design, acquisition, and construction of greenway and open-space projects, including public/private partnership projects and easement acquisitions.
Manage public engagement, stakeholder coordination, constituent responses, and preparation of public presentations and reports.
Ensure project compliance with Metro procurement procedures, regulatory requirements, and departmental policies.
Review plans for proposed developments affecting planned greenways through Planning Department reviews, rezoning applications, community plans, stormwater variance requests, and other plan review processes.
Prepare and oversee requisitions, requests for proposals, scopes of work, bids, and consultant contracts.
Coordinate design and construction activities with local, state, and federal agencies, partners, and stakeholders.
Review plans submitted by consultants.
Conduct regular site visits and field inspections to assess contract compliance and work progress.
Prepare construction contract changes and recommend remedial actions when needed.
Manage project budgets, contracts, financial reporting, and documentation.
Research, secure, and administer grant funding, including reimbursement requests and compliance reporting.
Assist with annual and long-range capital budget planning for greenways and park-land acquisition.
Prepare plans and presentations for the Greenways and Open Space Commission, Metro Park Board, Greenways for Nashville Board, and other organizations.
Attend stakeholder meetings, including meetings with Metro departments, boards, and commissions.
Perform administrative tasks, including preparing letters, reports, and board items, and developing productivity improvement measures.
Participate in greenway and land acquisition policy development.