Parks Planner

City of Bentonville; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bentonville's Parks & Recreation department seeks a seasoned landscape architect or civil engineer to lead planning and design for park and greenway projects. You will coordinate with design firms, city staff, and external stakeholders to deliver master plans and capital projects on time and within budget.

The role requires strong communication, project management, and technical expertise in land development, stormwater, and plant ecosystems, supported by GIS and industry-standard design

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or Civil Engineering from an accredited college or university with 5+ years of urban development/parks planning experience.
• Arkansas Landscape Architecture License or Professional Engineer license, or eligibility for licensure in Arkansas.
• Knowledge of construction materials, storm water management, plant materials, and horticultural practices; familiarity with bio-swales, rain gardens, stream restoration, porous concrete.
• Proficiency with GIS and design software (ArcMap, AutoCAD, Photoshop) and standard office tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning and design for park and recreation facilities; prepare SOQs, review plans, specs, and RFPs.
• Manage capital projects across design phases; coordinate with design firms and internal departments; ensure code compliance.
• Prepare staff reviews and city council agendas; assist with easement acquisitions and grant management.
• Conduct field investigations and feasibility studies; develop plans, cost estimates, and bids for in-house projects.

Skills

Diplomacy

Active listening

Verbal communication

Servant leadership

Teamwork

Public interaction

Education

Landscape Architecture degree

Civil Engineering degree

Arkansas license or P.E.

Licensure eligibility

Tools

ArcMap

AutoCAD

Adobe Photoshop

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Safety/Security Status: None

SUMMARY

Develops and implements comprehensive plans and programs for the development and utilization of land, facilities, and physical assets of the Parks & Recreation department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

The following duties and responsibilities are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the employee in this classification, but only as a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may change to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Requires seeking and gathering information with internal and external stakeholders. Skills in diplomacy, active listening, strong verbal communication, and servant leadership. Requires skills in leading and following various workplace teamwork initiatives. Other duties may be assigned.

Project Planning and Design

• Prepares Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) and hires design firms for park and recreation projects.
• Prepares and reviews plans, specifications, contract documents, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for project designs.
• Designs and develops conceptual and master plan park projects.
• Performs professional and technical work in planning, designing consultant supervisory work and coordinating the construction of parks and recreation facilities; and provides responsive assistance to staff, other departments, and external stakeholders

Project Management

• Manages all design phases of capital projects by working with design firms and other city departments to ensure projects comply with all ordinances and requirements.
• Manages construction projects and conducts field checks for compliance with codes and regulations for contract projects and in-house projects.
• Coordinates and reviews the construction program of projects; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates management methods and procedures; meets with parks staff for review for departmental standards compatibility.

Regulatory Compliance

• Prepares staff reviews and city council agendas for projects.
• Is responsible for stamped drawings with licensed certifications.

Feasibility and Assessment

• Assesses the feasibility of parks and greenway projects and identifies necessary changes.
• Advises Parks and Recreation staff on parks and greenways projects and identifies necessary changes.

In-House Project Development

• Creates plans and bids for in-house projects.
• Prepares cost estimates.
• Plans, designs, and coordinates construction of assigned park or recreation facilities; reviews construction to ensure compliance with designs.
• Represents Parks and Recreation in various review committees.

Easement and Grant Management

• Assists with easement acquisitions.
• Prepares grant applications and administers grant programs including reimbursement and payment processes.

Field Investigations and Research

• Conducts field investigations, parks and greenway surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting parks and greenway projects.
• Prepares graphic and narrative reports on parks and greenways data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Occasionally supervises the activities of Global Information Systems (GIS) staff, planning technicians, and Parks & Recreation personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) in Landscape Architecture or civil engineering from accredited college or university; and 5+years of experience in urban development and/or parks planning. Also possesses an Arkansas Landscape Architecture License or Professional Engineer’s licenses; or has proof of eligibility for licensure in Arkansas. Has a demonstrated knowledge of construction materials and methods, storm water management, plant materials, horticultural practices, and plant associations. Also has a demonstrated knowledge of industry standards as well as innovative technologies (bio-swales, rain gardens, stream restoration, porous concrete, etc.) ideologies, practices, and methodologies. Is proficient in use of information systems technologies, including (but not limited to) ArcMap, AutoCad, Adobe Photoshop, word processing, presentations.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Arkansas Landscape Architecture License or Professional Engineer’s licenses; or has proof of eligibility for licensure in Arkansas.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.