Parks Project Manager

City of Sammamish; Sammamish (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Hybrid work schedules

14 paid holidays + floating holiday

Job summary

City of Sammamish is seeking a Parks Project Manager to lead planning, design, and construction for parks, facilities, and capital projects. You will collaborate with consultants, citizen groups, and staff to craft resilient open spaces.

The role includes budget oversight, grant preparation, SEPA reviews, and public presentations. A Washington resident with a relevant degree and 5 years of parks experience is preferred, with hybrid work options available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, construction management, or related field with five years of related experience.
• Residents of Washington State required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in parks, facilities, and capital projects planning and construction management.

Responsibilities

• Develops and monitors schedules for planning, design, and construction with project teams and stakeholders.
• Coordinates consultant selection, contracts, and budgets for park projects.
• Oversees construction to ensure compliance with plans, budgets, and regulations.
• Manages project budgets, authorizes payments, and processes change orders.
• Prepares grant applications and environmental review documents (SEPA).
• Represents the city at meetings, hearings, and public presentations; coordinates public involvement.
• Assists with Parks CIP and planning budgets; supports closeout and evaluation of projects.

Skills

English communication

Budget management

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, construction management, or related field

5 years of experience in parks and landscape project planning and construction management

Tools

SketchUp

ArcView GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you passionate about creating vibrant parks and public spaces that bring communities together? Join our dedicated team and lead meaningful projects that shape the future of parks, trails, and open spaces in our city. Parks Project Manager performs professional planning, design, and construction project management activities for the city’s parks, facilities, and capital projects. Work involves participating in long-range for parks, facilities, open spaces, and trains, and collaborating with consultants.

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Offers a unique opportunity to build meaningful change in the community.
• Professional Growth:Access to continuous learning opportunities and career advancement.
• Comprehensive Benefits:Health, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, retirement plans, and generous paid time off (vacation and sick).
• Collaborative Environment:Work with a dedicated and supportive team passionate about public service.
• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work schedules and a commitment to your well-being; 14 paid holidays plus a floating holiday.

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.

Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

• Develops and monitors schedules for planning, design, and construction in collaboration with project teams, citizen groups, and department staff to develop project designs within an approved budget.
• Plans, designs, and conducts research, evaluates plans and data, and prepares recommendations or alternatives for various design amenities, programs, issues, or policies.
• Coordinates the consultant selection process; negotiates rates and terms and prepares contracts and agreements.
• Coordinates the award of construction contracts in accordance with department and city guidelines and Washington State bid procurement procedures; administers consultant agreements, scheduling and monitoring work plans and performance.
• Monitors and coordinates the activities of contractors, community organizations, property owners impacted by construction, and park users during construction.
• Oversees construction to ensure compliance with plans and specifications and applicable local, state, and federal laws, and approved budgets.
• Manages all aspects of project budgets; authorizes payments to contractors, consultants, and vendors, and prepares and processes change orders.
• Coordinates project closeout, budget reconciliation, and evaluation.
• Coordinates the public involvement process for projects; represents the department at various meetings and hearings, and on planning committees; presents designs, charts, images, written materials, and oral presentations to the public, committees, and media.
• Prepares or oversees the preparation of a variety of permit and environmental review documents such as State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklists and required technical reports.
• Prepares and administers grant applications, including preparation of technical project information, preliminary budgets, presentation of information, and relevant graphic attachments.
• Reviews development proposals to ensure compliance with Parks, Recreation, long-range planning documents.
• Assists with preparing the Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Park Planning Budget.
• Presents to Council, Boards and Commissions, and other public meetings and represents the city at meetings and events; attends evening and/or weekend meetings and events based on organizational responsibilities and/or requirements.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• This position may supervise Park Planners and Park Planning Interns.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, construction management, or related field; supplemented by five (5) years of experience in parks and landscape project planning and construction management or closely related work; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Employees must be residents of Washington State.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previous work experience in a governmental organization, Sketchup and ArcView GIS, and designation as a licensed Landscape Architect.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Architectural design and landscape construction concepts and methods as applied toparks and CIP, and sustainable and environmental design process requirements.
• Current research, trends, products, technology, and developments in the field of public sector landscape architecture, open space planning, and/or construction management.
• Laws, regulations, and codes applicable to the design, permitting, and construction of public projects.
• Project management principles, standards, and best practices.
• Environmental engineering to the extent of grades, drainage, and ground stabilization.
• Current design technologies and drafting software.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required.
• Skill in clearly communicating and understanding information in English, both orally and in writing, and ability to use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Skill in responsive and flexible handling of work assignments and prioritizing work to complete assignments accurately and timely
• Skill in maintaining a customer service orientation and positive image of the city to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, and adhering to strict confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to implement systems for monitoring budgets, tracking expenses, and generating fiscal reports.
• Ability to effectively provide a diverse audience, general and technical information in person and via phone.
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, fumes, temperature, weather, and noise extremes).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.