Principal Park Planner

We Are: The Durham Parks and Recreation Department is a 101-year-old, nationally accredited team of 136 full-time passionate professionals, over 200 part-time team members, and over 150 independent contractors devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. With an operating budget of over $20M, our talented team is devoted to community service and providing a wide range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while united through our core pillars.

Internally, we’re focused on strengthening our culture through inclusion and equity and having fun. We believe, regardless of job title, each of us has a voice, an opportunity to make a difference, and to be a part of something great.

Reporting to the Parks and Recreation Assistant Director for the Park Planning, Project Development Division. The division coordinates the department’s efforts in the areas of strategic and long-range planning, park maintenance operations, Capital Improvement Programs (CIP), and Capital Life Cycle Planning as they relate to park and recreation facilities.

As Principal Park Planner, you will manage the planning, design, and construction of the new and renovation of existing park and recreation projects. Your responsibilities include managing projects from initial concept to construction, ensuring they align with established goals, budgets, and timelines. Key responsibilities include project planning, design development, internal coordination, contract administration, budget management, and stakeholder communication.

• Manage the design and construction of multiple large and small Capital Improvements Program (CIP) including parks, trails, courts, amenities and other recreational features.
• Manage the development and implementation of projects and planning studies required for the implementation of priorities identified in the DPR Comprehensive Plan.
• Manage the preparation of a five-year capital program for development and maintenance of park and facility improvements. Assists in establishing project budgets, program needs, and schedules for capital projects and park plans. Assists with evaluating facility needs and developing priorities and planning strategies.
• Manage evaluation process to assess facility needs and develop priorities and planning strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to establish project goals, scope of work, and deliverables.
• Assess the feasibility of projects by preparing and evaluating schematic and preliminary designs options and alternatives.
• Prepares design recommendations for implementation of short and mid-term repairs and rehabilitation of park infrastructure.
• Coordinate with architects, landscape architects, and other design professionals to advance design development and ensure designs meet project requirements and relevant standards by guiding the development of construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and other necessary documents for bidding and construction.
• Coordinate with internal departments to provide recommended standards for implementation as part of new construction and rehabilitation of park, trail and recreation facilities.
• Track project expenses, managing budget allocations, and ensuring projects stay within budget.
• Maintain communication with project stakeholders, including community members, internal departments, government agencies, and other relevant parties.
• Guide the development and implementation of an asset management approach for recreational facilities and establish prioritization of program needs.
• Coordinates, plans, directs, and reviews the work of project personnel and contractors in all phases of work, including studies, designs, construction, and environmental review activities.
• Coordinates the selection of landscaping, architectural, or engineering firms and reviews their subsequent planning, design, and construction work products.
• Coordinates construction and maintenance projects with Maintenance and Operations Division to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, plans, and specifications.
• Coordinates assignments and work performance among…