Park Planner I (#GW2 )
$35.92-$45.46 hourly / $6,226.01-$7,879.58 monthly / $74,713.60-$94,556.80 yearly
Park Planner II (#GW4 )
$42.30-$53.54 hourly / $7,331.86-$9,280.09 monthly / $87,984.00-$111,363.20 yearly
Park Planner III (#GW6 )
$46.62-$59.02 hourly / $8,080.64-$10,229.94 monthly / $96,969.60-$122,761.60 yearly
Park Planner IV (#GW8 )
$54.08-$68.42 hourly / $9,373.69-$11,859.24 monthly / $112,486.40-$142,313.60 yearly

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Definition

Under direction, conducts park planning and acquisition studies; oversees master plan development and construction projects for parks and recreation facilities; prepares grant applications, construction documents, master plans and administer grant programs, design contracts and construction contracts; may serve as a project leader or specialist; and performs other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Park Planner I is the trainee level for the professional park planner series. Incumbents initially work under general supervision and as experience is gained they perform a broader range of duties and are expected to advance to the Park Planner II level within 18 months. Park Planner II is the journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents independently perform professional planning assignments with limited supervision. This class differs from the Park Planner I in that it is responsible for design and management of assigned projects. Incumbents may provide assistance to lower level park planners and may make presentations to internal and community groups as well as decision-making authorities. Park Planner III is the senior or advanced journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents use independent judgment to perform diverse, complex assignments, which require extensive coordination with other land use agencies, County departments, other agencies and public groups. Additionally incumbents are required to make presentations to the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. This class is distinguished from the lower level park planners and handles controversial and technically complex assignments. Incumbents may serve as project leader on multi-faceted programs or planning efforts. Park Planner IV is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the park planner series. This level requires possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California. Incumbents are expected to perform any field or office assignment with a minimum amount of supervision and work under general direction as a project manager in charge of a small group of subordinate park planners and/or paraprofessional staff, public study groups or planning staff engaged in a wide variety of responsible park development work and other major projects. Park Planner IV may also review and approve complex plans and specifications prepared by lower level park planners to assure conformity to State and/or County design criteria and standards. The Park Planner IV class differs from the higher class of Park Planning and Development Manager, who is at a full supervisory level and responsible for the design section of the Department.

Typical Tasks

Research grant sources and assist in the preparation and administration of grant programs and construction projects;
Prepare park planning and acquisition studies, including land use and master plans for parks;
Research land use regulations and constraints to ensure park acquisitions comply with applicable regulations;
Conduct field investigations of proposed park, recreation, or historic sites to assess suitability and potential use;
Gather data to appraise property for future park acquisition;
Conduct public needs assessments, determine fiscal resources and environmental requirements, and prepare land acquisition reports;
Coordinate park planning activities with other County departments and public agencies;
Prepare working drawings, specifications, and cost estimates;
Prepare bid proposals and requests for quotes for architectural and engineering services; review and make recommendations on bids and quotes;
Obtain local, state, and federal approvals and permits;
Perform park layouts and survey work;
Serve as a parks construction project inspector by reviewing and inspecting work to ensure conformance with plans, specifications, and departmental and County standards;
Recommend design changes and change orders as needed;
May conduct public meetings and hearings;
Prepare reports and correspondence;
Attend meetings and conferences;
Input, access, and analyze data using a computer.

Employment Standards

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Park Planner I

Some knowledge of principles, practices and trends of park planning or of the specialty area to which assigned.
Some knowledge of statistical research methods as applied to the collection and tabulation of data affecting park planning.
Some knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations governing park planning in California.
Some knowledge in either the preparation of construction documents and/or construction inspection.

Park Planner II

Working knowledge of the above.
Working knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of park planning and development.
Working knowledge of parks design and cost estimating, including construction documents.
Some knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations related to parks planning and development.
Some knowledge of grants and contract development and administration including inspection of construction projects.
Some knowledge of public project funding principles and procedures and capital project implementation.

Park Planner III

Working knowledge of the above.
Working knowledge of long range project planning practices.
Working knowledge of laws and regulations related to planning, zoning and environmental protection pertaining to park projects.
Some knowledge of methods and procedures of land acquisition.
Some knowledge of data processing applications.

Park Planner IV

Thorough knowledge of the above.
Working knowledge of the community design process.
Working knowledge of policy formulation.
Some knowledge of the principles and techniques of project leadership and review.

Abilities:

Park Planner I

Collect, analyze and compile, organize and present technical statistical and related information pertaining to park planning research.
Prepare concise written and oral reports.
Participate in park planning presentations before official bodies.
Provide services to the public in a courteous and effective manner.
Participate cooperatively and effectively as a contributing team member.
Prepare construction plans, charts, maps and other graphic illustrations.
Produce acceptable work commensurate with the level of appointment in an acceptable timeframe.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Park Planner II

Perform all of the above.
Prepare and present studies, reports, requests for proposals, grant applications and concept plans.
Speak effectively before groups.
Understand, interpret, explain and apply laws, ordinances, rules, and policies, regulations and construction documents.
Prepare park concept plan; landscape construction plans, specifications and cost estimates.
Oversee and inspect park construction projects.
Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.

Park Planner III

Perform all of the above.
Present major planning studies analyses and reports to boards, commissions and committees.
Complete complex assignments, determine alternative choices and make recommendations.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports, resolutions, permit applications and environmental documents associated with park development, oversee the park master process from consultant selection to final approval.
Evaluate design proposals and construction documents prepared by others.
Provide leadership to team efforts, including public groups.

Park Planner IV

Perform all of the above.
Track, monitor and advocate legislation.
Enforce common safety practices and procedures.
Act as subject matter expert or resource.
Assign, schedule and review the work of subordinates on assigned projects.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Park Planner I: Two years experience in public or private landscape architectural, architectural, or civil engineering practices, plus completion of 12 semester units of college course work in park planning, park management or administration, or civil engineering, landscape architecture, architecture.

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in parks planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture or related field.

OR

Possession of a valid Landscape Contractor or Building Contractor License issued by the State of California, plus completion of 12 semester units of college course work in park planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture, or related field.

Park Planner II: One year of professional park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner I at Santa Cruz County.

Park Planner III: One year of experience that is equivalent to a Park Planner II at Santa Cruz County.

OR

Two years of experience in landscape architecture or closely related professional experience with a Bachelor's Degree in parks planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture or related field.

Park Planner IV: One year of park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner III at Santa Cruz County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority (Additional for Park Planner IV). Possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California.

EST: 1/91 REV: 9/93 Analyst: JS

Miscellaneous

Bargaining Unit: General Rep
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 28
Worker's Comp Code: 0053
Analyst: JS

CLASS: GW2; EST: 1/1/1991; REV: 9/1/1993;

CLASS: GW4; EST: 1/1/1991; REV: 9/1/1993;

CLASS: GW6; EST: 1/1/1991; REV: 9/1/1993;

CLASS: GW8; EST: 1/1/1991; REV: 9/1/1993;