Senior Planner – Parks, Rec, & Cultural Svc

Posting number: 18328

Department: Parks, Rec & Cultural Svc

Division: Park Planning & Design

Job classification: Planner, Senior

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Clerical & Data Entry, Community Services, Environmental Services, Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Parks, Natural Resources, Community Development, Customer Service, Historic Preservation, Development/Fundraising, Community and Social Services, Database Administration

Summary Senior Planner – Parks, Rec, & Cultural Svc

The Parks, Rec, & Cultural Services department is looking for a motivated employee who will have the opportunity to manage and coordinate a wide range of park planning and open space projects—from scheduling, budgeting, consultant oversight, design review, and interdepartmental collaboration to public engagement, land-use compliance, strategic planning support, and presenting project proposals to advisory boards and City Council.

This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year.

Aerial photo of Garden of the Gods with Cheyenne Mountain in the distance.
As a Planner, Senior, you will:

• Manage a broad range of park planning projects including setting project schedules, designing priorities, budget and budget tracking, hiring and managing consultants, working closely with internal Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department staff and other internal and external agencies, and planning and leading project public engagement, based upon IAP2 foundations and techniques.
• Review and coordinate with City Planning, PRCS Department, Parks Advisory Board on complex land use applications for compliance with City Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) code sections. 
• Process Park Site Design submittals (aka: conceptual park designs or park master plans). Verify all application design standards are met in compliance with code language and department standards and policy.
• Lead the project management for Master and Management Plans for Open Spaces to include hiring consultants, coordination with staff, budget, citizen engagement, and presentations to TOPS Working Committee, PRCS Advisory Board and City Council.
• Assist with PRCS Department Strategic Plan, Park System Master Plan implementation, and related community education activities.
• Research and coordinate with other PRCS staff on various park and site planning aspects , including, but not limited to: land use development, geotechnical, drainage, historic and cultural significance, easements, encroachments, traffic and street crossing, fire mitigation, safety response, building permits, surveys, forestry, construction, etc.
• Research and coordinate activities and projects to present to management and PRCS Advisory Board and City Council for formal adoption. 
• Write staff reports and present project proposals and updates at PRCS Advisory Board and City Council meetings, and in other public meetings.
• Other duties as assigned

Learn more about this job by reviewing the class specification on the City of Colorado Springs Class Specifications page

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of effective project management.
• Principles and practices of effective public engagement
• Pertinent federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Land use planning, zoning, and development methods and techniques.
• Local building code and permit process
• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 
• Project management systems 

Ability to:

• Make decisions and/or recommendations regarding policy development and implementation; 
• Read and interpret technical drawings
• Prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects
• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff
• Meet work goals, objectives and deadlines.
• Be a good communicator who works well with co-workers, stakeholders and other agencies.

Examples of duties

We value a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Our organization views each year of further education as equivalent to each year of relevant work experience, and each year of additional relevant work experience as equivalent to each year of required education.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study. 

• Five years of full-time, professional experience in either planning, landscape architecture, architecture, geography, or a related field (Note: Planning is defined as urban, regional, land use, and/or comprehensive long-range planning working with or for a municipal government.)

Technical Skills: Advanced Skills and Knowledge: Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization-wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.

QualificationsThe following qualifications are not required, but they are considered desirable. If you possess any of the preferred qualifications, please include specific details in your application. This information may be used to identify a top group of applicants. 

• Possess, or obtain upon hire and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver’s license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• A complimentary master's degree in planning, park & recreation, landscape architecture, geography, architecture, public administration or related fields. 
• Strong practical experience working in or with Parks and Recreation Departments on design and construction of parks, trails and open spaces. 

Certifications/Licenses:  One or more of the following:

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification
• Landscape Architecture License, a Colorado Registration (or reciprocity).
• NPRA CPRP (National Recreation and Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional) Certification - or another recognized certification.

Technical Training:

• IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) Certification
• Experience with GIS (Geographic Information System), CAD (Computer-Aided Design), Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, the general suites for Microsoft (specifically Word, Excel, Teams, OneNote), Accela, or others.

Professional Memberships:

• ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
• APA (American Planning Association)
• NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association)
• CPRA (Certified Park and Recreation Professional)

Supplemental information

Please contact Katie McLaughlin at katie.mclaughlin@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.

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