Parks Planner

City of West Jordan; West Jordan (UT); On-site; USD 60,195 - 85,820; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Health Center

Pension Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays

Vacation & Sick Leave

Job summary

City of West Jordan is seeking a Parks Planner to lead the design and development of parks, open spaces, recreation areas, and facilities. You will collaborate with city departments, communities, and engineers to implement the Parks, Recreation, Trails & Open Space Master Plan and maintain mapping standards.

The role requires a Bachelor's in landscape architecture or related field and one year of municipal planning experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning or related field.
• One year of municipal planning experience desirable.
• Valid Utah Driver’s License (required).
• Desire to obtain AICP certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design landscape architectural projects following codes and construction principles.
• Assist in long-range planning for public services projects and review consultants' scope of work.
• Prepare project documents including RFIs, RFPs, bids, and grants.
• Develop budgets, schedules, and phasing; initiate change orders.
• Prepare master park, trail, and recreation plans and update design criteria.

Skills

Urban Planning

Landscape Architecture

Public Events Permitting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Landscape Architecture

AICP Certification (desirable)

Tools

Bluebeam

Job description

Opening Date: July 29, 2026

Closing Date: August 12, 2026

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Pay Range: $60,195.20 - $85,820.80

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Public Services Director, the Parks Planner plays a key role in the design and development of the city’s parks, open space, recreation areas, and facilities. Through a collaborative effort with other city departments, the Planner performs professional and technical work in planning, designing, engineering, and coordinating the construction of parks, open space and trails, and facilities; and provides professional assistance to supervisory and management staff. They work closely with community members to ensure that parks and recreation properties are designed to meet the needs and desires of residents. The Planner is responsible for developing, amending and implementing the Parks, Recreation, Trails & Open Space Master Plan and creating and maintaining mapping functions and standards of the Public Services Division.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plan and design of landscape architectural projects utilizing general design principles, codes, and construction principles.
• Assist in managing, reviewing, and performing long-range planning for public services projects. Participate in consultant selection and approval of their scope of work.
• Assists in creating Request for Proposals, Requests for Information, Grants, Bid Specifications, and all other project documents for the Public Services division.
• Develop cost estimates, budgets, project scheduling, and phasing options. Initiate change orders and work orders for departmental approvals.
• Perform master planning for parks, trails, and other recreation and natural resources. Prepare new park design and park improvement plans as needed and required.
• Conduct field work and special investigations for data gathering, research and coordinate data and plans with departments, divisions, committees, boards, organizations, commissions, public agencies, engineers, architects, landscape architects, and other design/planning professionals.
• Prepare maps, sketches, exhibits, drawings, photographs, and other graphic materials.
• Prepare and make presentations to committees, boards, organizations, commissions, neighborhood groups and the public.
• Develop, maintain, and update landscape and irrigation policies and design criteria along with applicable drawing details and adjustments to city code to correlate with applicable policies and design criteria.
• Develop, maintain, and update streetlight policies and design criteria along with applicable drawing details and adjustments to city code to correlate with applicable policies and design criteria.
• Review proposed developments for compliance with the City’s streetlight standards and specifications.
• Serve as a representative for the Parks Division for the Parks, Trails and Open Lands Committee, in the development and planning of future parks, policies and procedures relating to parks, trails, and open lands.
• Review proposed developments for compliance with the City’s landscaping standards and water efficiency standards.
• Coordinate and obtain all necessary permits and approvals for City-sponsored events, including events held in parks, public lands, streets, and City facilities; ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations; and coordinate with internal departments, outside agencies, and event organizers as required.
• Apply for and obtain all necessary permits and approvals for parks and recreation projects as required.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree, with major course work in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning or a related field.

Experience: One year of directly related municipal planning experience is desirable.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Utah Driver’s License
• Desire to obtain AICP certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of urban planning and development.
• Recent developments, current literature, sources of information, and research techniques related to the field of urban planning.
• Recent developments, current literature, sources of information, and research techniques related to the field of landscape architecture and/or park planning.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and related equipment.
• Mathematical principles used in park planning and management.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Permitting processes and regulatory requirements related to public events, including parks, facilities, right-of-way use, and public safety coordination.
• Applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing public gatherings, special events, and use of public property.

Skill with:

• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Software such as Bluebeam used for design, engineering, and blueprint reading
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.
• Coordinating permit applications, approvals, and conditions across multiple departments and external agencies.

Ability to:

• Learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare routine reports.
• Prepare basic planning graphics including site plans and land use maps.
• Read and interpret construction drawings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Interpret and apply permitting requirements, codes, and regulations related to City-sponsored events.
• Coordinate effectively with event organizers, City staff, and external agencies to ensure timely permit approval and regulatory compliance.
• Manage multiple deadlines and regulatory requirements simultaneously while maintaining accurate records and documentation.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work in a standard office environment which includes reaching, bending, sitting, standing, talking, hearing, and listening. Ability to travel to different sites and locations.

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, plus up-front and matching Health Savings Account contributions.
• Employees also have access to our brand-new Employee Health Center located at City Hall, receive contributions to a pension account through Utah Retirement System, as well as deferred savings account match options.
• Enjoy work-life balance with substantial paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• The City also offers tuition reimbursement and down payment assistance programs!