Recreation Project Manager

Are you a Landscape Architect who wants to help shape the future of parks and recreation in Buncombe County Would you like the opportunity to be a part of creating a new 342 acre park from concept to construction This exciting opportunity allows you to lead the planning design and development of new and renovated parks transforming community needs into vibrant functional spaces. You will report to the Parks Division Manager and serve as a project leader on complex capital improvement projects developing high-level design concepts coordinating consultants and guiding projects through construction. If you thrive at the intersection of creativity technical expertise and public service this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the places where our community gathers plays and connects.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to perform and coordinate a variety of professional parks and recreation planning design and development from concept to completion including responsible and professional work coordinating various medium-to-large or complex capital improvement engineering and architectural projects for the Countys Recreation Services.

Minimum Education Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelors degree in landscape architecture/construction design or related field and four (4) years of experience in project management and design including two (2) years of project management and/or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Certified Parks and Recreation Professional or American Institute Certified Professional accreditation preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Registration as a Landscape Architect. (Must obtain registration with the State of North Carolina as a Landscape Architect during the first six (6) months of employment if not already registered with the State of NC). NC Drivers License in good standing.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Develops and recommends concept area and facility plans based on strategic and master plans; performs park planning studies used for data analysis policy recommendations and project prioritization; confers with appropriate parties to solicit input and feedback; investigates potential park projects.
• Prepare concept design plans for parks and recreation related improvements such as park renovations playgrounds walkways and connectivity parking and other park amenities; and prepare and oversee preparation of site plans scale models construction documents cost estimates project schedules and park and open space design studies; serve as project lead for the Countys Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
• Develop interpret review and evaluate plans criteria studies and reports for parks and recreation planning and development projects related to facility improvements maintenance and renovation; review plans for environmental impact and historic relevance; prepare and monitor project budgets; and coordinate the design and construction of parks and recreation areas and facilities.
• Coordinate oversee and supervise the planning design and construction of County parks and recreational areas and facilities; manage and initiate review and/or design of engineering and architectural projects; provide technical advice and assistance to management field personnel contractors and consultants.
• Develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs) Requests for Quotes (RFQs) and Requests for Information (RFIs); manage the selection of consultants; negotiate contracts and fees; administer consultant services; and serve as liaison with contractors consultants and County departments.
• Manage monitor and review contracts and contractors to ensure compliance with contractual obligations including administering change orders and estimates.
• Coordinate contracting agencies for parks and greenways projects and serve as departmental liaison; act as point of contact for inquiries regarding greenways and park and facility plans.
• Prepare reports for public hearings related to project updates status and findings; interpret public policy codes and regulatory requirements.
• Develop comprehensive financial overviews of departmental project needs and relevant funding streams; maintain ongoing data related to Recreation Services capital projects and other departmental records; prepare periodic and special reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge of engineering and architectural design principles practices procedures and estimating techniques.
• Knowledge of project accounting; architectural and construction methods; and the principles methods and practices of project
• management.
• Knowledge of budget policies and principles.
• Knowledge of contract policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal state and local grant process and administration; Ability to administer track and report grant fund expenditures in accordance with federal state and local guidelines. Ability to assist with information gathering and document creation for grant applications.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of engineering architecture and landscape architecture as applied to park and recreational area design construction and maintenance; Modern surveying and construction methods; Construction and landscape materials.
• Knowledge of the objectives and ideals of public recreation including a thorough understanding of activities which make up a Parks and Recreation Program.
• Knowledge of pertinent park programs and applicable federal state and local laws regulations and codes including the County Ordinances pertaining to Parks and Recreation.
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Word Outlook Publisher Excel AutoCAD GIS and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Skill in adapting interpreting and applying guidelines and standards.
• Skill in interpreting legal descriptions of leases real estate easements and similar properties
• Skill in negotiating with various audiences to accomplish objectives.
• Skill in written and oral communications including public presentations.
• Ability to make prompt decisions and develop new and relative ideas for providing a quality product and quality customer service with little or no supervision.
• Ability to develop expense projections conduct cost analysis and identify ways to maximize resources.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture one that fully engages all of our employees honoring and building on each employees unique experiences opinions and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race natural hair or hairstyles ethnicity creed color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin or ancestry marital or familial status pregnancy veteran status religious belief or non-belief age or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment hiring assignment promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.