Principal Planner

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 1,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides a broad range of programs, services, facilities, and park amenities within the City and County of Denver. The City’s park system encompasses more than 290 urban parks, parkways, and natural areas, totaling over 7,000 acres. The Department boasts more than 14,000 acres of pristine mountain parks, eight golf courses, 24 lakes, more than 87,000 park trees, 187,000 right-of-way trees, over 90 miles of off-street trails, 14 off-leash dog parks, and over 300 athletic fields. The recreation system serves approximately 2.25 million visitors annually. It includes 30 active recreation centers, 16 outdoor pools, and 16 current indoor pools. Recreation activities include arts and cultural classes and events, aquatics, sports and fitness opportunities, and youth programming. In addition, the Department offers programs focused on outdoor education, youth and adult sports leagues, and out of school programs offered in conjunction with Denver Public Schools. DPR comprises four divisions: Administration, Recreation, Parks, and Planning, Design and Construction. Denver's Planning, Design and Construction Division consists of a team of highly knowledgeable professionals dedicated to the development and improvement of the City & County of Denver's network of parks, parkways, and recreation facilities. The Division's efforts in planning, design and construction management ensure that Denver's valuable system of parks and recreation facilities fosters Denver's development as a world-class city and enriches the lives of Denver's citizens and guests for years to come. Are you seeking an impactful job opportunity to increase quality of life for Denver residents? Are you interested in helping to grow, plan and improve Denver’s parks and recreation system? Denver Parks and Recreation’s Planning, Design and Construction Division is excited to announce we are accepting applications for Principal Planner. This position sits on the Citywide Planning Team, which leads complicated park and system-wide planning efforts, engages with the City’s development review program, participates on inter-agency teams to advance parks and open space in development projects, develops DPR’s Capital Improvement Program, and stewards our tremendous system through policy and process improvements. Examples of recent projects that are representative of the duties of a planner at this level include the Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Strategic Plan, Ball Arena Infrastructure Master Plan, Design Standards for Open Space in Large Developments, Pickleball Analysis and Strategy, and the Park Hill Park visioning process. This position will have a focus on continuing the planning for Park Hill Park, planning activities to support bond-funded project delivery, representing DPR on CCD- and CPD-led interagency plans in neighborhoods around Denver, and supporting DPR’s role in CCD’s development review processes. With dedicated funding resources, sound visionary direction and exciting projects across the city – there is no better time to be a part of Denver’s Planning, Design and Construction team!

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Engineering, or a related degree
Six (6) years of professional planning experience
One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements
Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application
Resume
Cover Letter

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Regional Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, or directly related field is preferred, not required
Experience coordinating and implementing all stages of public participation and collaboration in planning and design; experience conducting research and analysis to determine community needs
Experience working with diverse communities developing trusting, collaborative relationships with key community stakeholders
Experience working in the field of parks planning or design is strongly preferred, but not required
AICP Certification or ASLA licensure is preferred, not required
Proficiency with Bluebeam software is preferred, not required
Bilingual skills (Spanish is preferred), not required

Responsibilities

Planning Project Management Applies best practice planning methodology to lead and manage highly complex and multi-faceted planning projects (including scope, schedule and budget) which may include citywide strategic plans and individual park vision plans
Exercises sound technical expertise and strong interpersonal and communication skills in complex and controversial matters
Conducts research and analysis to determine the needs of the community and to inform strategic responses
Produces in-house planning products, such as analyses and strategic documents designed to guide capital budget or project development, memoranda on the impacts of and proposed changes to zoning code or proposed City process to the department, or data collection and interpretation
Oversees and executes procurement processes to hire consultants when needed, and coordinates and manages the work of consultants involved in the execution of planning projects
Provides timely and accurate reporting on project progress and addresses any project issues in coordination with internal staff and/or the public
Builds consensus and support for initiatives among diverse stakeholders and fosters positive public relations
Identifies, cultivates, and manages key internal and external partnerships such as city agencies, councilmembers, resident organizations, community-based organizations, and interest groups
Coordinates and facilitates public participation in multiple stages of project vision, concept, and/or strategic planning through community outreach and engagement, public presentations, and meetings (some meetings and events held in the evening hours or on weekends)
Collaborates with internal parks staff including management, park operations, forestry, communications, design and construction staff
Inter-agency and Development Coordination Serves as a collaborative representative, technical expert and department advocate on planning efforts led by other agencies, such as the Neighborhood Planning Initiative
Supports the Parks Planning development review program, which includes reviewing and commenting on projects to identify park impacts or interests in order to protect and preserve the integrity of the parks and parkways system in order to advance park and recreation goals and Game Plan for a Healthy City
Works collaboratively with other agencies to advance parks needs as well as achieve outcomes beneficial to other agencies and the city as a whole
Represents the department in policy development and process improvement, in line with City goals
Team Leadership Provide mentorship to other planners and other professionals within the Planning, Design and Construction Team, including providing guidance in navigating complex and controversial projects, situations or communications
Ensure effective development, implementation and management of parks planning initiatives that meet or exceed city, departmental, and division goals
Leads grant tracking and strategy for the broader Planning, Design, and Construction team; prepares grant applications and manages grants received in support of planning projects
Foster relationships within Denver Parks and Recreation, promoting an open and inclusive planning environment for internal stakeholders

Benefits

A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 13 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

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