Sr. Parks Planner; Planning & Development Specialist, Sr

Overview

About Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR): Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader in services and programs for residents who enjoy parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Its mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being by supporting healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. SPR aims to deliver excellent customer service to all and advances equity and social justice through a diverse workforce, partnerships, and opportunities that close disparities in workforce development, environmental justice, access to open spaces, programs, and facilities.

The city maintains a world-class parks system and recreational programming. SPR staff strive to meet high expectations in a friendly, professional and compassionate work environment. SPR offers career opportunities with competitive pay and benefits packages, generous leave programs, and the satisfaction of contributing to Seattle as a great place to live, work, and play.

The Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD) of SPR is responsible for: (1) planning for long-term maintenance and availability of assets within Seattle parks; (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. This work is guided by community partnerships and engagement and involves multi-disciplinary coordination with other departments and agencies.

This position is within the Planning Unit of PCD. The unit focuses on community building and engagement, asset management and capital planning, and capital project management from initiation to design concept development. The work emphasizes continuous data collection and analysis, equitable investment, climate change planning, and learning from the communities served to avoid service interruptions. The team includes project managers, designers, environmental scientists, geospatial specialists, funding strategists, and planners.

For the 2026 calendar year, the Planning Unit will oversee completion of 2025 capital projects, initiate 2026 projects identified in the 2023 – 2028 Park District Cycle, implement the first round of Park Community Fund projects, and complete studies for the Parks and Open Space Plan. This lead role will help SPR be a leading example for climate change adaptation, equitable, data-driven public investment, and pro-active asset management.

Qualifications (minimum)

• Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or related City planning and development activities.
• Baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or equivalent experience/training).

Role responsibilities and expectations:

• Lead development, management and implementation of parks planning projects to secure professional services, engage the public, create schematic designs, and manage assets to support the Department's Capital Improvement Program.
• Develop goals, objectives, and criteria for projects and programs; evaluate and monitor programs and processes.
• Prepare RFPs, consultant contracts, coordinate and monitor consultants; participate in selection of consultants.
• Act as liaison with other City departments, agencies, business interests, and community groups to coordinate planning activities, including public involvement.
• Provide reports and maps to inform plans, policy, and emergent requests.
• Plan events and other means to engage the public and stakeholders.
• Guide projects through SPR and other review processes to support CIP work with schematic designs.
• Manage condition assessments, feasibility studies and other pre-design processes to inform SPR’s Asset Management Plan and CIP.
• Develop scopes of work and coordinate with maintenance and operations staff for planned projects.
• Assist higher level staff in presenting recommendations to elected officials and advisory boards; prepare and deliver presentations with charts, graphs…