Planner Principal (Parks and Recreation Department) (Austin, TX, United States) (2024)

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus six (6) years of experience in planning related work, two (2) years of which included lead or supervisory responsibilities.
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Planner Principal position is to provide planning and analytical support to the Park Planning, Land Acquisition, and Parkland Dedication Program of the Parks and Recreation Department. This position will review zoning cases, site plans, and subdivisions to implement the parkland dedication ordinance, evaluate potential parkland acquisitions, and maintain geospatial data related to parkland acquisition and development.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
  Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, hiking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Work environment includes inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Work/Location Schedule Notes: May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays. Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$37.63 - $47.98 per hour
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 10/08/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location PARD Annex: 919 W. 28 ½ Street, Austin, TX 78705 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience in reviewing site plans, subdivisions, zoning, and Planned Unit Developments for parkland dedication ordinance review.
• Experience in negotiating high profile plans and projects.
• Experience in facilitating meetings and presenting to stakeholders.
• Experience utilizing ESRI suite of GIS products, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, to perform GIS database management and special analysis, interpretation, and visualization, including geospacial data.
• Working knowledge of Land Development Codes for a municipality or county government.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to lead the development and use of geospatial applications and toolsets, geodatabases and advanced data analysis, including oversight of methodologies and data integrity in a supervisory capacity.
• Ability to represent, coordinate and resolve citywide and departmental data needs, including demographic methods and analysis with Census Bureau geospatial data.
• Experience in R, Python, SQL , or other programming languages.
• Experience in Microsoft Power Suite, including Power BI and Power Automate.

Other:

• Ability to travel to multiple work sites throughout the workday.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Oversees coordination of division/section activities with other division/sections/departments. Develops and evaluates plans, criteria, etc. for variety of projects, programs activities, etc. Reviews statistical reports and analyzed market & economic conditions. Develops short and long range plans. Develops & revises operating procedures. Serves as member of various committees, task forces, etc. Speaks as city representative before boards, commissions, public groups, etc. Answers the most complex citizen questions and provides assistance. Provides technical advice & assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, management, etc. Develops policies and procedures. Develops & revises operating procedures. Assists in developing division/section budget. Recommends grant application approval. Manages division/section activities.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of the principles of community and urban planning.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws relating to planning and urban development.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures. .
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to make formal presentations of program and/or project recommendations.
• Ability to explain and enforce City policies.
• Ability to exercise balanced judgment in evaluation situations and making decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus six (6) years of experience in planning related work, two (2) years of which included lead or supervisory responsibilities. Twelve semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years. Do you meet these qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 300 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience with using advanced GIS functions, managing databases, or modeling data.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

* Do you have the ability to travel to more than one work location?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

ABOUT THE COMPANY

• 

• City of Austin

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