Park District Planning Manager
About The Position
The Planning Manager leads the planning, design, and development of parks, trails, facilities, recreational amenities, and capital improvement projects throughout the Champaign Park District. The position oversees capital projects from concept through bidding, construction, and completion; pursues grant funding; collaborates with community partners and regulatory agencies; and supervises the Planner & ADA Coordinator and Planning Interns. The role contributes to strategic, comprehensive, master, and trail planning; prepares design and bid materials and project cost estimates; manages procurement; maintains property and planning records; facilitates public meetings; and assists with departmental budgeting and long-term capital planning. It combines office-based planning with hands-on field involvement and offers opportunities for professional growth and continued training.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability in landscape and/or facility design.
- Five or more years of experience in planning.
- Experience working on public-sector projects, including coordination with multiple stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Computer skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and GIS mapping.
- Demonstrated ability to work with detailed information precisely and in a timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, budget, and implement projects with multiple deadlines.
- Aptitude and willingness to become licensed as a professional landscape architect in Illinois.
- Valid State of Illinois driver’s license.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, design, and development of parks, trails, facilities, and capital improvement projects.
- Prepare conceptual plans, construction drawings, specifications, bid documents, and project cost estimates.
- Supervise, coach, and develop the Planner & ADA Coordinator and Planning Interns.
- Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, attorneys, developers, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.
- Manage capital projects through planning, bidding, construction, and completion.
- Research, prepare, and administer grants and other funding opportunities.
- Contribute to the District's strategic, comprehensive, master, and trail planning efforts.
- Prepare Requests for Proposals and oversee procurement processes.
- Maintain property records, maps, easements, land transfers, annexations, and planning documentation.
- Facilitate public meetings and engage community members throughout planning projects.
- Assist with departmental budgeting and long-term capital planning.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- IMRF pension participation
- Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and personal time
- Life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Wellness program offerings
- Flexible and supportive team environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
