COSA Parks Planner & Ecological Services Job Opportunity – Closes July 8, 2018

We are excited to announce that we are seeking qualified candidates for a Parks Planner / Planner II position which serves our Planning and Ecological Services workgroup within the City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department. Below is a summary but the full job description and application details can be accessed here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/human-resources/city-jobs.

POSITION TITLE: Parks and Recreation Planner / Planner II

EMPLOYEE GROUP: MGMT

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Parks and Recreation / Planning and Ecological Services

$66,955.00 – $102,003.00 Annually

Boulder, CO

Full-Time with Benefits

Closing = 7/8/2018 11:59 PM MST

OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE:

Under minimal supervision, serve as a Planner for Parks and Recreation focusing on strategic initiatives and projects related to Parks and Recreation assets and programs in a community context, to provide leadership in facilitating community dialogue and building consensus regarding complex planning issues, manage and coordinate complex and often high-profile planning and capital projects, negotiate complex agreements, and to perform related duties as required. This position will primarily support the department’s environmental and ecological planning, capital planning and asset management program as well as primary liaison in city-wide initiatives and capital strategies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manages and coordinates the development and implementation of special planning projects and reports often involving major impacts and/or working with multi-jurisdictional staffs. This includes the following:

• Assesses and initiates special planning projects to implement the department’s work program and to achieve City Council goals.

• Writes special project reports, develops long range plans and identifies strategies to implement them.

• Supervises the implementation of adopted plans.

• Negotiates complex agreements and serves as senior liaison between the city and private individuals and organizations.

• Establishes project timetables, designs public processes, and develops annual work programs.

• Conducts staff, design team, and other meetings.

• Coordinates special project activities with the City Manager’s Office, city departments, county government, other organizations, and the general public.

• Makes presentations at public meetings, Advisory Boards, and City Council meetings.

2. Supervises staff and leads the natural lands program for the department including:

• Provides overall direction to the natural lands team by leading and directing programs and projects; identifies, prioritizes, and coordinates projects to ensure that departmental needs are met, and that service delivery is provided in a coordinated, efficient and effective manner; reprioritizes work plans as needed to address immediate and long term management and maintenance; oversees coordination of work within the section to ensure operational consistency and collaboration; resolves related problems.

• Builds effective alliances with other city departments, local, state and federal agencies and public interest groups; coordinates with appropriate agencies/partners to ensure time lines, permit requirements, regulatory constraints, public process requirements and budgetary constraints are met; will conduct public process tasks in conjunction with specific projects.

• Direct short and long range planning activities to ensure sound stewardship of department properties; leads the section’s operational planning; creates yearly section work plans to align with departmental direction and priorities; provides goal setting and communication sessions with staff; participates in and assists with annual department work planning process to coordinate activities with other work groups and divisions in the department; collaborates with other managers to resolve conflicts and to reprioritize as needed.

• Directs research on trends, new technologies and best management practices in the areas of wetlands management, wildlife management, integrated pest management and environmental sustainability.

• Manages Natural Lands operating budget by formulating budget strategies; compiles information, statistics and data to determine appropriate levels of funding; prepares and monitors the section’s annual budget to be consistent with city and department-wide goals; ensures section budget is managed within appropriated revenues and expenditures; forecasts trends and future issues.

• Builds effective alliances and coordinates resource management projects and logistical needs with other city departments, local, state and federal agencies, and community and public interest groups. This includes the following

• Represent the department on interdepartmental and interagency projects and may take a lead position in setting policies and strategies for cooperative efforts.

3. Serves as a senior liaison to community groups, governmental agencies, and others concerned with planning issues. This includes the following:

• Coordinates preparation for Board and City Council meetings and study sessions, including writing and assembling documents, reviewing materials, determining agenda items, and facilitating study sessions.

• Represents the city at public hearings and neighborhood meetings and makes formal presentations of city recommendations.

• Provides technical assistance to advisory groups, boards, committees, and the public.

• Facilitates and participates in community discussions about complex planning issues and builds consensus regarding optimal solutions.

4. Guides the development of methodologies, strategies and metrics that enable alignment of asset management initiatives, performance indicator processes, quantify improvements, realize benefits, and support more transparent and data-driven decision-making across the department including:

· Direct, review and analyze departmental Asset Management program and data.

· Feasibility studies, strategic plans and Business Case development for facilities.

· Project scoping and tracking

· Building key client relationships with department staff and influencing stakeholders

5. Supervises consultants, interns, and staff team members as necessary to effectively manage programs and special planning projects.

6. Updates job knowledge continuously regarding planning methods, industry innovations, design criteria, city zoning and land use regulations, and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Remains aware of and is sensitive to community issues impacting the long range planning process.

7. Develops and administers contracts for consultants working on planning projects.

8. Researches, analyzes, and prepares special reports as assigned.

9. Other:

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.

• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.

• Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.

Generally duties are listed from most to least critical or time consuming.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning, Urban Planning or related field plus a minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible experience related to planning or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Excellent communication skills: strong listening, verbal, written, presentation and public speaking skills. Demonstrated interpersonal skills including strong mediation, facilitation, consensus building, and diplomacy abilities, including the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups in controversial situations. Well-developed customer service skills, and proven ability to support a solution-oriented staff response to customer needs. Demonstrated organizational skills.

Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of complex information. Ability to handle planning projects which involve politically sensitive or controversial issues. Demonstrate comfort in an increasingly "paperless" work environment, with requisite computer skills and experience, including electronic mail, Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain an acceptable criminal conviction and motor vehicle history.