City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Division Manager, Park Planning

This position provides direction and leadership of the core programs and activities in the Park Planning Division of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Austin.

1. Oversees Park Design, Land Use Review, Park Acquisitions, Chapter 26 Management, Park Partnerships, Park Vision Planning and planning activities associated with Project Connect.
2. Oversees development and authorizes final division-level approval on program and budgets for multiple programs and implements financing strategies for land acquisitions and park development.
3. Reviews, evaluates, and resolves conflicts related to proposals for change of use of parkland to meet interdepartmental or intra-governmental capital improvement project requirements.
4. Develops, manages, and delegates the implementation of highly complex park planning projects and programs that have both internal and external stakeholders.
5. Provides counsel and oversees development of reports on policies, procedures, issues, opportunities, and status of division activities and programs.
6. Coordinates partnerships with City departments on capital improvement projects involving or affecting division-level parkland or services.
7. Oversees coordination of park planning activities involving other City Departments, citizen groups, property owners, developers, regulatory agencies, and federal and state agencies.
8. Develops ordinances, methodologies and standard operating procedures, and coordinates with legal staff to develop and implement strategies to achieve City objectives.
9. Manages the development and updates of PARD’s Long Range Plan and recommends short and long-term strategies for implementing the plan.
10. Attends meetings and conducts presentations to City Council, Boards, Commissions, City Management, and stakeholder groups. Represents the City to Federal, State, Local agencies, the media and various professional and stakeholder groups on park planning issues.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including, selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of park planning and land development regulations.
• Knowledge of project management systems and project accounting.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of contracts and contracting procedures.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of construction and design principles, practices and procedures.
• Skill in handling negotiations and conflict resolution.
• Skill in adapting, interpreting, and applying guidelines and standards.
• Skill in evaluating contract agreements.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in written and oral communications including public presentations.
• Skill in developing and compiling reports.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to plan, implement, coordinate and oversee projects and programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including public presentations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to build consensus and lead a diverse constituency to achieve organizational goals and directives.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, Public Administration, or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in community development, planning, project management, or public finance, three (3) years of which were in a supervisory/managerial capacity.
• A Master's degree in a field related to the job may substitute for non-supervisory experience up to two (2) years.