Associate Parks Planner and Projects Coordinator

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Job Description:

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered:
• Resume
• Cover Letter

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Park Planning and Implementation

• Assists with park, trail, and open-space planning projects, including the Park and Open Space Plan, Regional Trail Plan, site-specific plans, and the Conservation Futures Program.  Plans and coordinates public engagement activities such as community workshops.
• Supports the development and annual update of the comprehensive project list for park and open space facilities for the six-year capital improvement program.   May Provides data to support departmental budget preparation. 
• Assists with planning and coordinating projects of limited complexity that require coordination with County staff, agencies, community groups, the general public, etc.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports summarizing project status, timelines, and fiscal information. 
• Keeps the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2 & Director informed of project developments and identifies potential issues needing direction. 
• Participates in implementing park projects, in coordination with contractors, consultants and internal teams. 
• Assists in drafting contracts, use agreements, resolutions and staff reports under the direction of the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2, and in coordination with the Parks Director and legal staff, to ensure accuracy of content and legal compliance of documents and other work performed.   
• Provides technical review of written plans, documents, codes, and policies under supervision.
• Conducts field inspections of natural area properties to evaluate site conditions or potential acquisitions.   Fieldwork may involve traversing rocky, uneven and steep terrain, in varied weather conditions.   

Public Participation and Outreach

• Assists with developing and coordinating public involvement processes to notify, inform, and gather input from community groups, the general public, cities, counties, and tribal organizations on park planning and open space issues.
• Helps develop strategies to improve public engagement and participation. 
• Supports presentation of design concepts and collection of public feedback to support consensus-building.    
• Represents the department at public meetings as assigned and assists with delivering presentations.
• Explains basic planning concepts, design information, land-use terminology, and funding considerations. 
• Develops informational materials, graphics and visual aids. 
• Supports communication between the County, partner organizations and the public regarding assigned projects. 
• Assists with administering the Special Events Program, including processing event permits and shelter reservations within the park system.
• Provides staff support to internal committees and the Board of County Commissioners on parks and open- space planning topics. 
• Researches and prepares surveys and/or questionnaires to collect community input. 

Real Estate

• Assists with real-estate activities, including research, outreach, and coordination of tasks related to Conservation Futures land acquisitions and other park land purchases.
• Maintains records of all County Park property, acquisitions, leases, legal actions, and related documentation. 
• Conducts field evaluations of properties for potential park use.
• Supports negotiation preparation and documentation for property transactions under supervision and in coordination with legal and finance staff.
• Assists in acquiring real estate property rights (rights of way, easements, fee-simple, real estate, air rights, rights of entry, etc.).
• Performs research on property boundaries, zoning, ownership, assessments, market values, comparable sales and related land-use factors. 
• Investigates public complaints and inquiries related to County-owned real property or easements related to Parks and Recreation projects.

Project Management

• Assists the Parks Planning Manager/Landscape Architect 2 with project management tasks, assuming more responsibility as experience is gained.    

Grant Administration

• Assists in identifying potential funding opportunities for acquisition and development projects consistent with the department’s six-year capital improvement plan.
• Helps prepare grant applications, including gathering data, preparing graphics, assisting with project budgets and drafting content. 
• Supports administrative management of grant funding and helps track compliance with grant requirements. 
• Maintains grant and contract files.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Construction Management, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Environmental Sciences or a related field. 
• Prefer experience in park planning, land use planning, project management, or real estate. 
• An equivalentcombination of relevant education, training, and/or experience may be considered.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Foundational knowledge of the principles and practices of land use planning, park administration and park planning.
• Basic knowledge of contract administration processes and procedures.   
• Basic knowledge of project management principles and budgeting practices.
• Introductory knowledge of real estate appraisal concepts and governmental appraisal review processes.
• Knowledge of environmental assessment concepts and common title issues.
• Knowledge of the processes for securing public funding for land acquisition and development.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations applicable to recreation planning and design.
• Knowledge of landscape site inventory and analysis methods. 
• Knowledge of public participation processes and engagement principles.
• Knowledge of legal processes related to land acquisition and land use planning techniques. 
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint.  Working knowledge of AutoCAD, GIS, Photoshop, InDesign and/or Sketchup is highly desirable.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and the public.  Ability to coordinate development activities with landscape architects, architects, engineers, County crews and private contractors. 

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, effective, and productive working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy.

• Ability to support community outreach and build grassroots support for public land acquisition initiatives. 
• Ability to prepare clear and effective presentations and informational materials.    
• Ability to assist in preparing grant applications and other funding proposals and to help evaluate program planning operations and effectiveness.
• Ability to work with volunteer groups on parks projects. 
• Ability to work independently within defined parameters and exercise sound judgment on moderately complex tasks as experience is gained.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to meet established deadlines.  Ability to oversee contractors on department projects, conduct inspections and prepare related reports. 
• Ability to coordinate with various government agencies in obtaining required permits. 
• Ability to maintain accurate and organized records
• Ability to work on projects that may involve complex financing arrangements and sensitive community or political considerations.   
• Ability to apply sound business practices and judgment while supporting land preservation goals. 

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect:   Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness.  Communicating in a productive and professional manner.   
• Accountability:   Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity:   Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation:   Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS  

• The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• Work is also performed outdoors and requires occasional travel within the County, exposing the employee to weather extremes, various forms of precipitation and the hazards associated with travel on public roads.

Total Compensation:

Total compensation is anestimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA