Park Planning and Development Manager

Located in the heart of Northern California, West Sacramento is a thriving, centrally positioned city recognized as a regional leader and an emerging hub for commerce and development. The West Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to building a strong, connected community where pride, purpose, and care come together to create inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, forward-thinking team committed to our mission: “ Parks Make Life Better .” If you're passionate about community service, innovation, and making a lasting impact, we welcome you to join our team.

The Park Planning and Development Manager is a newly created position established to lead and coordinate a diverse portfolio of current and future park projects. We are seeking a visionary, detail-oriented professional with strong project management expertise and a collaborative leadership style to guide the City through its most transformative period of park development since incorporation. In addition to overseeing park planning and development efforts, this role will also support staff in the management of the City’s Tree Program, Community Funded Districts, and Landscape & Lighting Maintenance.

The Park Planning and Development Manager plans, organizes, oversees, and coordinates the design, renovation, construction and long range planning for parks, open space, trails, sports fields, street landscapes and related recreational facilities. The Park Planning and Development Manager is an at-will position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.

Receives general direction from the Director of Parks & Recreation. Exercises direct supervision to professional level staff, as well as technical and extra help staff.

This is a management level classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the day to day operations of the Park Planning and Development Division. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, budget administration and reporting, program evaluation and complex technical planning skills.

(Illustrative Only):
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists in the development and implementation of Parks and Recreation department goals, objectives, policies and procedures;
• Leads the planning, development, coordination and implementation of a diverse and inclusive park planning and development program that is responsive to community needs.
• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of Parks Planning and Development Division,, including oversight of landscape development projects to include new construction, rehabilitation and developer-built projects; manage bid process, including pre-bid conferences and walk-throughs; provide technical information in the response to bidder inquiries; and administer construction projects, including managing project budgets and conducting field inspections.
• Plan, organize and direct parks planning and development activities including land acquisition, planning, design, and implementation.
• Oversee and review the work of outside contractors, consultants and staff to ensure the work is performed consistent with project requirements, timelines, and budget guidelines and take remedial action when necessary.
• Coordinate, plan and forecast short and long range improvement and rehabilitation projects and prepare and identify resource needs related to the development ofparks, open space, trails, sports fields, street landscapes and related recreational facilities.
• Plan review of projects as they relate to department facilities; plan review of municipal landscape and irrigation projects prepared by outside consultants.
• Collaborate with City departments, county, community and school district agencies to…