Sr. Parks Planner (Planning & Development Specialist, Sr.)

Full Job Description

About Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR):

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools.

Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community.

We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate, and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs, and facilities.

The importance of parks and recreation to the residents of Seattle cannot be overstated. The city has one of the world’s best parks systems and recreational programming.

This is because residents have demonstrated a commitment to protecting and seeking opportunities to expand or enhance our existing assets.

The staff at Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) understand the responsibility they carry as stewards of these invaluable resources.

We pride ourselves in our ability to meet the high expectations of our residents in a work environment that is friendly, professional, and compassionate.

SPR offers an amazing array of career opportunities. Regular employees enjoy competitive pay and benefits packages, generous leave programs, and the satisfaction of doing work that helps make Seattle a great place to live, work, and play.

About Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD):

The Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD) of SPR is responsible for (1) planning for the long-term maintenance and availability of all assets within Seattle’s park system, (2) designing and developing new park facilities, (3) project managing renovations and improvements to existing park facilities and (4) creating and managing capital improvement plans to support all of the above.

This work is guided by considerate community partnerships and engagement and involves multi-disciplinary coordination with other departments and agencies.

Planning Unit Team:

This position is within the Planning Unit of PCD.

While there are additional responsibilities, most of the work the unit undertakes includes: community building and engagement, asset management and capital planning, and capital project management from initiation to design concept development.

This work is guided by continuous data collection and analysis, prioritizing equitable investment, planning for climate change, and learning from the communities we serve to avoid interruptions in services.

The unit is comprised of a diverse team of project managers, designers, environmental scientists, geospatial specialists, funding strategists, and planners.

For the 2026 calendar year, the Planning Unit will be overseeing the completion of 2025 capital projects, initiation of 2026 projects identified in the 2023 – 2028 Park District Cycle, implementation of the first round of Park Community Fund projects, and completion of the remaining studies needed to inform the comprehensive planning effort kicking off this year for the Parks and Open Space Plan.

This lead role within the Planning Unit will help us continue to be a leading example for other parks systems on climate change adaptation, equitable, data-driven public investment, and pro-active asset management.

We are seeking a candidate with strength/experience in the following areas to bolster our team’s overall expertise and capacity (see "Qualifications" for more detail):

• Land use development and/or regulations
• High-visibility community engagement
• Resilient and adaptable land management practices
• Guiding entry level staff on the above.

Requirements

For this position, the candidate will support SPR’s work by:

• Leading the development, management and implementation of parks planning projects to secure professional services, engage the public, create schematic designs, and manage assets to support the Departments Capital Improvement Program work.
• Developing goals, objectives, and criteria for projects and programs and evaluates/monitors programs and process.

• Preparing RFPs, consultant contracts, coordinates, and monitors the work of consultants and may participate in selection of consultant.

• Serving as a liaison with other City departments and agencies, business interests, and community groups to coordinate planning activities, including public involvement process.
• Providing reports and maps to inform plans, policy, and in response to emergent requests.
• Planning events and other means to engage the public and stakeholders.
• Bringing projects through SPR and other required review processes to create schematic designs that support the Department’s CIP work.
• Managing condition assessments, feasibility studies and other preliminary and pre-design processes to inform SPR’s Asset Management Plan and Capital Improvement Program.
• Developing scopes of work and coordinating with maintenance and operations staff for planned projects.
• Assisting higher level staff in presenting recommendations to elected officials and advisory boards.
• Preparing and delivering presentations that include charts, graphs, and other visual aids.
• Representing the Department at various meetings, hearings and on planning committees.

Qualifications

Requires three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation; or other work directly related to City planning and development activities; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field (or a combination of education and/or experience and/or training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

In addition to the minimum required qualifications, successful candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Five years of experience in planning and research related to open space development and preservation, land use, urban economics, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work;
• A master’s degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class);
• Two years’ experience working with the public sector in the delivery of capital projects;
• Two years’ experience engaging with a diverse public, managing multiple projects concurrently, and a passion for public space creation/improvement; and
• Two years’ experience managing staff to complete work and meet deadlines.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $56.23 - $65.54 hourly.

While this is a hybrid job, work is performed in an office environment. Personnel are required, at minimum, to be in the office (300 Elliot Ave W) three (3) days a week.