The Principal Park Planner is a visionary leadership role at the forefront of shaping Buncombe County’s parks and recreation future. This position leads the planning and execution of complex, high-impact capital projects—blending design excellence, sustainability, and community needs. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and equity, the Principal Park Planner guides teams, partners with stakeholders, and transforms long-range plans into vibrant, inclusive public spaces. It’s a unique opportunity to make a lasting mark on the quality of life for residents across the county.

Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to provide division leadership and direction in the County’s Recreation Services department. It is responsible for managing and coordinating a variety of medium to large-scale and complex capital improvement engineering and architectural projects. The role includes supervising and training staff and serving as project team leader. Additionally, this position acts as a liaison with contractors, consultants, and internal departments to develop and administer projects and systems that support high-performance strategies and advance departmental goals and priorities.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (master’s degree preferred) with major course work in landscape architecture, planning or a related field and five (5) years of experience in rural and or urban planning at the local governmental level; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: A license as a Licensed Landscape Architect (LA), or certifications such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), or other planning-related certifications, are preferred.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assist the Department Director in the overall management, execution, and administration of services for assigned division; provide administrative oversight for operational and administration activities and functions.
• Establish, implement, and evaluate internal systems and organizations to effectively meet operating goals and objectives; develop and evaluate internal policies, procedures, and staff organization to effectively carry out divisional operations.
• Initiate and implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and actively manage other long range planning initiatives including specific departmental commitments related to other County plans such as the Strategic Plan, Racial Equity Plan, etc.
• Ensure effective employee relations, diversity, and staff development/training; oversight and completion of employee evaluations; ensure County personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered within the division.
• Assist in department budget development and monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness and to ensure that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with County administrative policies and procedures.
• Analyze needs, programs, services, and requests for assistance; recommend project priorities and enforce related regulations and contract specifications (as required).
• Direct, coordinate and review the work plans for recreation projects; assign work activities and projects; review and evaluate services, projects, methods and procedures; develop procedures, revise policies when necessary; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems
• Serve as liaison with contractors, consultants, and departments developing and administering projects, activities, and systems to support and promote high performance strategies and to meet departmental priorities, goals and objectives, and to produce deliverables of park projects.
• Administration of large grants for park projects from funding partners such as TPDF, ORLP, PARTF, NCDOT; provide documentation for grant applications, attending site visits, and provide project status reports on grant-funded park projects.  
• Engage with the public and patrons regarding a wide variety of issues; lead problem-solving, troubleshooting and responsiveness to incidents and issues; develop and implement customer service training; negotiate, develop and implement partner agreements for recreation projects and programs; visit site facilities to engage with staff and the public.
• Participate on and /or lead a variety of committees comprised of internal and external stakeholders; serve as a technical advisor to the Board of Commissioners and County officials, Board of Adjustment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, other boards, and agencies (as necessary) on matters relating to the planning and development of park projects.
• Provide exceptional communication and organizational skills to ensure the highest level of customer service and responsiveness: create and maintain a positive, safe environment for staff, stakeholders, and participants, and effectively lead a professional team in the creation of park plans and projects.
• Oversight of hurricane-related park projects including working with consultants, sub-consultants, FEMA representatives and other organizations on capital projects to ensure compliance with requirements for reimbursement through various funding sources; ensure the structured process of park development is followed to ensure parks meet community needs, environmental standards, and budget requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of rural, urban, and regional planning.
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the field of planning specialization.
• Knowledge of government programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to the planning process.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration as well as management techniques as applied to local government administration.
• Skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Ability to organize and conduct complex planning and research studies and formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to plan, assign and direct the work of others, including contractors, consultants, and departments.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive relationships with employees and community partners, especially during tense or challenging situations, helping to resolve conflicts and promote collaboration.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, Cobblestone and Accela permitting software.

About Buncombe County Parks & Recreation

View our open jobs here: https://buncombecounty.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Buncombe_County_Careers Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where citizens succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork. Across 660 square miles, Buncombe County is a diverse patchwork of businesses and people. What brings us together is our belief that what we do matters and together we can shape a community where every person lives up to their potential. We believe we serve our community best with a diverse workforce who represent the best in their professions. We hope you will consider joining us!

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