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.

DEFINITION:  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.

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

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  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. 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (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 of parks, 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 partner on park capital improvement projects.
• Prepare and facilitate public meetings that deal with sensitive community concerns regarding park development/renovation projects; respond to citizen concerns and complaints.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports.
• Oversee inspections of City, developer, and commercial landscape installations.
• Conducts regular program evaluation and resident satisfaction surveys.
• Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities, recommends and implements improvements and modifications, and prepares various reports on operations and activities.
• Ensure all activities conducted are in accordance with rules, regulations and risk management principles ensuring participant safety.
• Responsible for budget coordination including the preparation, planning and monitoring of the park planning, development and projects budgets; oversees purchasing processes for supplies, equipment, and services needed for planning and construction projects; reconciles expenditures as required; ensures all subordinate staff are working within established purchasing policies.
• Accurately tracks, maintains, and oversees the inventory of various equipment, supplies, and assets.
• Monitors, coordinates and administers agreements, contracts, memoranda and grants. 
• Selects, trains, instructs, motivates, supervises, and evaluates assigned regular and extra help staff. 
• Gathers, researches and analyzes data for reports, presentations and grant applications.
• Investigates complaints and recommends corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints. 
• Attend, prepare and present staff reports to City Council, commissions, boards, and public groups; represents the division in a variety of meetings pertaining to assigned programs, activities or projects; provides staff support as necessary to the Commissions coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Investigates, responds to, and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries related to the implementation of park planning and park capital improvement projects; provides high levels of customer service at all times. 
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
• May serve as the Director of Parks and Recreation in their absence

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education:  Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in landscape architecture, park planning, construction management or a closely related field.  

Experience:  Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in landscape architectural work related to park design and construction, regional and community planning, capital improvement project management, and/or parks and landscape construction including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  A valid California driver's license is required. Possession of either a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate, Parks and Recreation Professional Certificate, or registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the State of California Architects Board is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Mobility to work in a standard office or construction environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings.   On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties; mobility to occasionally traverse uneven terrain, periodically standing, stooping, bending, climbing and kneeling to perform inspections; on occasion may be required to work in exposure to weather.  Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and small tools and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or small tools and equipment for distances up to 50 feet.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:  Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may also work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibrations, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset individuals in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.