Seattle Parks and Recreation offers a unique opportunity to serve the residents of Seattle.  Each employee contributes towards a shared vision founded in equity, opportunity, stewardship, and community. This vision builds on our legacy of making Seattle a great place to live, work, and play. Together, we are working to make the Seattle Parks and Recreation system one of the best municipal parks systems in the U.S.
The Planning & Development Specialist II is a key member of the Planning Group, within the Planning and Development Division of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR). The Planning and Development Division (PDD) provides long range and project planning services, and technical design and construction oversight for Parks Department major maintenance and development projects. The Parks Department manages 6,400 acres of park land (11% of the city’s land total) that comprise more than 480 parks and open areas and include a wide range of facilities and features such as 27 community centers, 10 swimming pools, wading pools and water spray parks, indoor and outdoor tennis facilities, environmental learning centers, specialty gardens, athletic fields, park boulevards, green spaces and natural areas, golf courses, lawn bowling facilities, boat moorages, fishing piers, neighborhood playgrounds and play areas, large shoreline areas, creeks, trails, and an urban camp. To learn more about Seattle Parks and Recreation, visit our website, Facebook page, Twitter account or Parkways Blog. 

The Planning and Development Specialist II is part of a team of Planners that work with landscape architects, architects, project managers, engineers, real property agents, and others to plan projects and bring projects through schematic design.  The planner typically initiates a project, and coordinates with all other PDD team members, other SPR divisions, other government entities, and community members and/or non-City partners.  This position also participates or leads long range plans and special projects.

This is a Term-Limited, Full-Time Position with benefits.

• Lead the planning phase of capital projects financed by the Seattle Park District and other fund sources.  Typical capital projects include community center and comfort station renovations, athletic fields and lighting improvements, and natural resource-related projects.
• Convene a project team in the early planning process and work towards building a strong team that will contribute at varying degrees throughout the duration of the project.
• Research and develop design programs that include a site analysis, public engagement plan, identification of key stakeholders, code and permitting requirements, issues identification, and a project budget and schedule.
• Manage multiple projects at once in various phases of the process.
• Work with representatives of other City Departments on interdepartmental work plans, and other matters.
• Use E-Builder (project management), Asset Management Work Order System software, and MS Suite in your daily work.
• Negotiate, prepare and administer consultant contracts. Coordinate design reviews. Ensure that objectives are met and projects are constructed to Parks and Recreation Department standards.
• Provide timely responses to requests from the public for information, project updates, and other inquiries for highly visible community projects which often have a large variety of vocal stakeholders with individual political, economic, and neighborhood agendas;  notify project team and managers of any potential conflict or opportunity. Ensure all voices are heard.
• Prepare and conduct briefings and presentations on projects and controversial issues to City officials and community groups, design commission, and other applicable boards.
• Work with the Public Information Officer to execute the public outreach process, incorporate Race and Social Justice Initiatives, update websites, and inform constituents.
• Participate in or lead long range planning studies and special projects.
• Strong teamwork is necessary to accomplish tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

Required Qualifications: 

Requires two 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 work; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications:

• A Masters degree in Urban Planning or a related field.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to handle a variety of demands and tasks and the flexibility to juggle multiple tasks while working in a fast paced environment.
• Proficiency in use of social media outlets, adobe program, and Microsoft Project.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a multicultural workforce and serve a diverse customer base.
• Two years of experience in planning and research related to land use, or related experience.
• Working knowledge of planning, design, and construction principles, practices and procedures, construction methods are the basis of the position. The ability to exhibit these attributes in your daily work and hold the design team accountable within their areas of expertise.
• Three or more years of computer use, resulting in competent skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Two or more years of experience doing research, data analysis, and report preparation, resulting in reports that are well-written, accurate, and clear.

In order to be eligible for consideration, please attach a resume and a cover letter describing your relevant experience, and explaining why you are interested in this position.    

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment., with some field work required to visit parks and facilities throughout Seattle, in all types of weather.
• Requires working some nights and weekends to attend meetings and hearings.