Planning and Project Manager (Parks and Recreation) - City of Johnson City

The City of Johnson City, Tennessee is accepting online applications for a Planning and Project Manager with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Planning and Project Manager performs intermediate professional and technical work in areas including land-use planning, capital planning, project management, and individual parks and recreation master plans. The work of this class involves responsibility for performing routine to moderately difficult technical work in parks, programming, trails, and open space planning under the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department Director. This position conducts various plans and studies that provide direction for the agency's ability to meet community needs for park and recreation services. The individual in this position also manages the public input processes for parks and programs. The position requires a high degree of interaction and collaboration with engineers, contractors, developers, consultants, other city departments and local governmental entities.

Essential Functions of Position:

• Plan, review, and assist in developing park improvement, strategic, and master plans.
• Design, update, and implement master plans, amendments, and studies in areas such as natural resources, land use and transportation, public services and facilities, community design, land and park development, and zoning regulations and ordinances.
• Establishes divisional/departmental work plans and monitors progress toward goals and objectives that align with the agency's mission, vision and master plan
• Plan and implement proposed new park sites, evaluate potential sites, determine opportunities and limitations, and recommend site development that best meets the community's needs, interests, and concerns.
• Assists with the planning, design, and construction of capital projects within the Parks & Recreation Department.
• Supervise environmental, natural, cultural, or historic resource assessments when needed on city property.
• Prepare and administer federal and state grant applications.
• Serves as project manager for capital projects or supervises staff who serve as project managers.
• Review land development applications and proposals to determine their impact on the city park system's long-term goals and objectives and develop recommendations on best accommodating property disposal, acquisition, and development.
• Participates and assists in the making of surveys and studies, routine drafting, map preparation and maintenance, graphic displays, or project layouts;
• Gathers and correlates data related to various parks, trails, and open space planning assignments;
• Will analyze, investigate, and make preliminary determinations and recommendations on various planning parks, trails, and open spaces.
• Serves as staff support to assigned boards and commissions as needed
• Writes reports and correspondence pertaining to each phase of the work as assigned;
• Conducts research tasks and surveys related to long-range planning and program development;
• Make presentations before governing bodies, neighborhood, and community groups on behalf of the department; provide information, respond to questions, and collect information on community needs, concerns, and interests.
• Develops and maintains ongoing contacts and relationships with volunteer groups who assist in the facilitation of parks special events and programs as well as standalone (trash pickup, tree plantings, etc.) and ongoing volunteer programs (i.e. Adopt-a-Trail).
• Identify property suitable for park development through analysis of the surrounding community and environment and apply national standards to pick sites that will be most beneficial to community interests.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: General knowledge of the principles and practices of city and parks planning; some knowledge of the city charter and of the various ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to planning and zoning; general knowledge of the techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts, sketches, and complex graphics; general knowledge of the principles of research, and of standard sources and uses of socio-economic information; general knowledge of research methodology and of standard statistical procedures; ability to plan, organize and carry out moderately complex research projects independently and effectively; ability to select and apply proper research methodology; ability to present results of research effectively in oral, written, and graphic form; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, representatives of other agencies and the general public. Ability to meet deadlines and keep projects on schedule. Extended periods of sitting at a workstation or desk. Manual dexterity to work efficiently on computer keyboards for data entry. Ability to speak clearly.

Acceptable Experience and Training: Minimum of a bachelor's degree in public policy, urban and/or regional planning, landscape architecture, parks and recreation or related field. Minimum of three years of experience in parks and recreation or related field. Experience in park and recreation planning (short term and long term), designing and constructing public projects, conducting research studies, facilitating public processes, reviewing and implementing public policy and conflict resolution. Grant writing experience highly preferred. Pre-employment physical, drug screening and background check required.

EEO/AA