Senior Planner – Parks, Rec, & Cultural Svc

City of Colorado Springs • Colorado Springs, CO

2d

About The Position

The Parks, Rec, & Cultural Services department is looking for a motivated employee who will have the opportunity to manage and coordinate a wide range of park planning and open space projects—from scheduling, budgeting, consultant oversight, design review, and interdepartmental collaboration to public engagement, land-use compliance, strategic planning support, and presenting project proposals to advisory boards and City Council. This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year.

Requirements

• Principles and practices of effective project management.
• Principles and practices of effective public engagement
• Pertinent federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Land use planning, zoning, and development methods and techniques.
• Local building code and permit process
• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Project management systems
• Make decisions and/or recommendations regarding policy development and implementation
• Read and interpret technical drawings
• Prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects
• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff
• Meet work goals, objectives and deadlines.
• Be a good communicator who works well with co-workers, stakeholders and other agencies.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study.
• Five years of full-time, professional experience in either planning, landscape architecture, architecture, geography, or a related field (Note: Planning is defined as urban, regional, land use, and/or comprehensive long-range planning working with or for a municipal government.)

Nice To Haves

• Possess, or obtain upon hire and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver’s license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• A complimentary master's degree in planning, park & recreation, landscape architecture, geography, architecture, public administration or related fields.
• Strong practical experience working in or with Parks and Recreation Departments on design and construction of parks, trails and open spaces.
• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification
• Landscape Architecture License, a Colorado Registration (or reciprocity).
• NPRA CPRP (National Recreation and Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional) Certification - or another recognized certification.
• IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) Certification
• Experience with GIS (Geographic Information System), CAD (Computer-Aided Design), Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, the general suites for Microsoft (specifically Word, Excel, Teams, OneNote), Accela, or others.
• ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
• APA (American Planning Association)
• NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association)
• CPRA (Certified Park and Recreation Professional)

Responsibilities

• Manage a broad range of park planning projects including setting project schedules, designing priorities, budget and budget tracking, hiring and managing consultants, working closely with internal Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department staff and other internal and external agencies, and planning and leading project public engagement, based upon IAP2 foundations and techniques.
• Review and coordinate with City Planning, PRCS Department, Parks Advisory Board on complex land use applications for compliance with City Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) code sections.
• Process Park Site Design submittals (aka: conceptual park designs or park master plans).
• Verify all application design standards are met in compliance with code language and department standards and policy.
• Lead the project management for Master and Management Plans for Open Spaces to include hiring consultants, coordination with staff, budget, citizen engagement, and presentations to TOPS Working Committee, PRCS Advisory Board and City Council.
• Assist with PRCS Department Strategic Plan, Park System Master Plan implementation, and related community education activities.
• Research and coordinate with other PRCS staff on various park and site planning aspects , including, but not limited to: land use development, geotechnical, drainage, historic and cultural significance, easements, encroachments, traffic and street crossing, fire mitigation, safety response, building permits, surveys, forestry, construction, etc.
• Research and coordinate activities and projects to present to management and PRCS Advisory Board and City Council for formal adoption.
• Write staff reports and present project proposals and updates at PRCS Advisory Board and City Council meetings, and in other public meetings.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior