Park Planner Senior

Posting Date

10 / 22 / 25

Application Deadline

10 / 29 / 25

Pay Range

$75,000 - $116,500 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Parks and Recreation

About the Position

The Senior Park Planner is responsible for leading and managing complex planning and development projects for parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities. This position plays a key role in long-range planning, master planning, capital project development, grant acquisition, and public engagement. The Senior Park Planner provides expert guidance and coordination with internal departments, external agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure park projects align with strategic goals, community needs, and environmental best practices. Additionally, the Senior Park Planner will supervise the growing Natural / Cultural Resource Division.

About Us

Welcome to the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department! Maricopa County parks offer visitors the best of the Sonoran Desert, from hiking on a barrier-free trail to horseback riding along a creek to testing your mountain biking skills and abilities on a competitive track.

At approximately 120,042 acres of parkland and 651 miles of trails, Maricopa County is home to one of the largest regional park systems in the nation. Currently, there are twelve parks in Maricopa County's regional park system. Each is unique and offers its visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

In addition to the parkland, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department oversees the Maricopa Trail, a 315-mile trail system that encircles the valley and links all of the regional parks together. The department is staffed by a team of passionate employees, park hosts, and volunteers who are dedicated to providing park visitors with the best customer experience possible. Join us today!

Proud to Offer

Work with a greater purpose

Tuition reimbursement

Exceptional work-life balance, with a hybrid work schedule option

Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County

Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents

Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club , dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively

Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave

Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts

Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in park or open space planning, including at least one year in a supervisory role

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Parks and Recreation Management, Environmental Design, or a related field

A master's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for up to two years of the experience requirement

We Also Value

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification

Supervisory experience in a public agency or multidisciplinary team setting

Experience managing staff performance, mentoring planners, or leading project teams

Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination

Proficient in GIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, or related planning / design software

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public presentations and report writing

Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines

Knowledge of environmental regulations, ADA compliance, and sustainable design principles

Experience in interagency collaboration or working in a public-sector environment

Job Contributions

Lead and manage park planning projects, including master plans, feasibility studies, resource management, site analysis, and development plans, including cost estimates and capital improvement phasing

Coordinate the development of long-range strategic plans, trail connectivity studies, and open space preservation efforts

Monitor planning trends, best practices, and regulations related to parks, recreation, land use, and environmental sustainability

Collaborate with internal and county staff to align planning with implementation

Facilitate public engagement processes, including community meetings, stakeholder interviews, and surveys

Draft and review technical documents such as RFPs, RFQs, and scopes of work for consultants and contractors

Manage resource staff, consultant contracts, project timelines, and deliverables

Oversee grant applications and compliance for federal, state, and local funding programs

Present plans, proposals, and updates to boards, commissions, and elected officials

Other Job Duties as assigned

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for hybrid flexibility after a brief training period

Exerting 20 - 25 pounds occasionally, 10 - 25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly

Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Incumbent may be subjected to extreme temperatures, wetness / humidity, respiratory hazards, and noise and vibration

Incumbent may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and travel

Machines, tools, equipment, software, and hardware

Microsoft Suite, GPS, ArcGIS, and Adobe

Selection Procedure

Only the most qualified candidates will be considered

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

Must pass a pre-employment background and / or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!