Director of Planning

Park District Director

Directs and/or coordinates the planning, design, and capital improvement activities of the park district. Develops, implements, and updates the master plans and design standards for the park system based on data and feedback gathered through various methods of community engagement. Oversees construction projects to ensure they are completed in accordance with design specifications, quality standards, and budget. Responsible for capital grant applications and management.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Organizes the preparation of master plans, site plans, feasibility studies, design standards, maps, drawings, etc., including the natural and built elements, ensuring plans meet quality standards and comply with regulatory codes and ordinances.
• Serves as State and Federal prevailing wage coordinator. Responsible for maintaining records relating to prevailing wage and activities.
• Prepares sketches, scale drawings, contract drawings, and specifications for park infrastructure and amenities.
• Conducts site analyses to investigate and collect data for proposed park enhancements and budgeting; studies conditions of development and improvement sites including topographical features, trees, rock formations, drainage paths, natural areas, man-made structures and impact to environment and surrounding areas.
• Assures compliance with all federal, state and local agency regulations related to assigned projects or tasks. Obtains and keeps records of required permits and documentation.
• Oversee project manager for major building construction and repair projects to ensure conformance to plans, specifications and quality standards.
• Oversees legal bid process – including construction contracts and invitations to bid, bid specifications, legal notices, pre-bid meetings. Handles bid openings, pre-construction, and project meetings. Analyzes bids and responses, prepares bid tabulation charts or other project cost summaries, and makes recommendations as to award of contracts.
• Maintains design consultant Request for Qualification (RFQ) files and associated records.
• Composes grant strategies and applications and proposals to grant funders, sponsors and donors for capital improvement projects.
• Serves as MetroParks representative to local boards and planning committees and attends public meetings.
• Engage with the community through presentations, surveys, focus groups, etc. to inform planning decisions and advance the mission and brand of MetroParks.
• Serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, participating in the development of park system strategy, policy, culture, and long/short range planning.
• Serve as the Agency's accessibility coordinator.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to prepare accurate and professional quality scale drawings and presentations. Must possess the ability to operate appropriate equipment and software, including CAD, GIS, presentation software, word processing, graphics, copier, scanner, etc.
• Must possess the ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision, including setting objectives; crafting, implementing, executing, and evaluating tactics to achieve completion of those objectives.
• Must possess excellent written, oral communication skills, above-average public presentation skills.
• Provides positive interaction, fosters collaboration, creates connections and values teamwork with staff at all levels.
• Understands and demonstrates the importance of internal and external collaboration and actively supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability. Forward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Leadership skills (individual and team): coaching, team building, goal setting, decision-making, ensuring accountability, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Strives to seek opportunities and has a willingness to bring ideas forward.
• Ability to consistently provide positive and unique experiences for guests.
• Understands and provides good customer service and is welcoming to all members of the public and staff.
• Understands financial responsibility and has a commitment to being personally accountable for how work is performed.
• Ability to work unsupervised, to organize and coordinate, to prioritize and self-initiate, and to manage tasks.
• Ability to effectively and appropriately deal with confidential information.
• Must possess general knowledge of modern methods and procedures used in the planning, development, and operational maintenance of a modern conservation and green space based public park system.
• Demonstrated ability to apply technical knowledge to practical situations.
• Must demonstrate strong negotiation, project management, and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess a working knowledge of natural history, environmental issues, public recreational pursuits, current industry standards and regulation applicable to public construction projects, as well as general and capital improvement projects. In-depth interpersonal skills: demonstrated emotional intelligence; proven track record of establishing and maintaining critical relationships internally and externally; demonstrated trust and integrity. Must possess a broad, general business and working knowledge of planning, budgeting, purchasing, etc.

• A minimum of a four (4) year degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, engineering, landscape architecture or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive supervisory experience.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record allowing insurability by the park district's current vehicle insurance carrier under existing coverage provisions at the time of employment and thereafter is required. Candidates for employment may not have more than 4 total points (or equivalent penalty) on their driving record at the time of employment under existing coverage provisions at the time of employment.
• No history of felony convictions.

Work Environment, Schedule and Physical Demands

This position is a full time, exempt position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions including extremes of temperature, humidity, and wetness; fumes, dust, pollen or other airborne particles at project sites. Employee may be required to visit or occupy close or confined spaces. Physical Demands: While performing duties of this job, the employee will be regularly required to use a computer and other office equipment. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position during much of their shift. Employee may occasionally need to move equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. Employee must have the ability to converse verbally with others in person and by telephone. Employee must be able to traverse natural or undeveloped surfaces in outdoor settings of moderate difficulty. The position functions and responsibilities are illustrative only and do not represent all the duties or tasks to be assigned or performed by an employee with this position title. Alternates to the above qualifications may be acceptable as approved by the Executive Director.