Park Planner

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

Please Apply By: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Hiring Range: $63,080.00/yr - $82,792.50/yr

At Mecklenburg County, you'll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We're counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident's fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county "will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE." The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to add a Park Planner to our team! This full-time position will work within our Capital Planning Division and will be responsible for supporting and participating in the development, design and construction of parks, greenways, nature preserves, recreation centers, and special facilities. Experience with greenway trail planning, design, and construction is ideal but not required. The incumbent will coordinate capital planning and development priorities, provide input in the park facility design process, serve as a liaison for project management, budget and fiscal management of projects, and present to and coordinate with citizens groups, partners and advisory councils. Additionally, they will work closely with internal partners as well as external vendors and contacts throughout the design and implementation project phases. The preferred candidate will have strong experience in public speaking and community engagement as this role will require the incumbent to engage regularly with the public regarding project updates and developments. Some night and weekend meetings may be required.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 4-5 years of related planning and/or design experience
• Professional Licenses (PE, PLA, etc.) and/or AICP Certification
• ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD utilization experience

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Coordinate capital planning and development priorities
• Assist in the implementation of Meck Playbook, Mecklenburg County's Park & Recreation Master Plan
• Provide input in the park facility design process
• Develop planning and design studies for park and recreation projects
• Prepare written reports, environmental statements, maps, specifications, drawings and necessary documents related to park and recreation projects
• Advise Park and Recreation staff on parks and greenways project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible alternatives
• Conduct public workshops and communicate effectively with various neighborhood communities in development of park, greenway trails, and recreation facility projects
• Conduct field investigations, parks, greenway, and facility surveys, impact studies or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting park and recreation projects
• Hold public meetings as necessary, and confer with developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate and develop master plan
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on park, greenway, and facility projects; and assess the feasibility of parks and greenway projects and identify necessary changes
• Consult with property owners and developers concerning inclusion of property in the master plan
• Prepare program statements and preliminary and conceptual designs for the development or renovation of various projects
• Coordinate and monitor performance of outside consultants and contractors
• Write grant proposals and research opportunities for park and recreation facility development and enhancements
• Suggest real estate acquisitions
• Serve as a liaison and coordinate activities with other Park and Recreation divisions, county departments, outside adjacent agencies and various groups related to parks projects

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of related planning and/or design experience

Education: Bachelor's degree in Geography, Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or a related field

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License and County Driving Privileges

Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Adobe Suite

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:
• Informed about economic and legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations
• Maintenance methods, materials and equipment utilized in parks, parks and greenways and other property upkeep and repair
• Testing methods and procedures

Skills:
• Mapping and graphic software suites including, but not limited to, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Supervise consultants and contractors in capital planning activities
• Read and interpret plans and specifications
• Prepare concise and accurate reports
• Study processes and make recommendations to improve same
• Develop work standards
• Define work methods
• Define and schedule projects and assign resources

Abilities:
• Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
• Engagement Readiness: Demonstrating a willingness to commit to one's work and to invest one's time, talent, and best efforts in accomplishing organizational goals
• Manages Work: Effectively managing one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor's request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.