Parks Project Specialist

City-of-Hillsboro-1; Hillsboro (OR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work after 90 days

City vehicle provided

Job summary

The City of Hillsboro seeks a detail-oriented project professional to support planning and development of parks, trails, and recreation amenities. You will aid capital projects, long-range planning, grants, and community engagement, working with land use reviews and consultant contracts.

Initially, you’ll support the department while learning processes, then take ownership of smaller projects, coordinating schedules, documentation, and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in planning, landscape architecture, parks and recreation, or closely related field.
• Minimum three years of related project coordination or planning experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Review land use applications and development proposals for parks and trails.
• Coordinate capital projects and long-range planning with timelines and budgets.
• Progressively manage smaller projects under supervision, tracking milestones and deliverables.
• Visit sites, review materials, and document construction progress with notes and photos.
• Prepare grant applications and administer awarded funding with reporting.

Skills

Plan interpretation

Project coordination

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Education

Associate's degree in a closely related field

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Job description

Application Limit

To ensure a thorough and efficient review process, this job posting will close after the first 150 applications received. We encourage you to apply early to secure your chance of being considered.

Introduction

The City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department is seeking an organized and collaborative project professional to support the planning and development of parks, trails, and recreation amenities throughout the community.

This full-time position supports capital projects, strategic initiatives, long-range planning, and adopted system-plan priorities. The work brings together land use review, trail development, grants, consultant contracts, community engagement, accessibility, technical documentation, and field-based project support.

If you enjoy organizing complex information, building relationships, spending some of your time in parks, working on parks & trail related projects, and helping work move from an idea toward implementation, we encourage you to apply.

About the Parks & Recreation Department

Hillsboro Parks & Recreation enhances quality of life by providing welcoming public spaces, recreation opportunities, facilities, and a connected system of parks and trails.

The Parks Planning & Development Division helps guide how the park and trail system grows and evolves. The team works closely with other City departments, consultants, public agencies, community partners, and residents to plan new facilities, improve existing spaces, and respond to the needs of a growing and changing community.

This position reports to the Parks Planning & Development Manager and works within a seven-FTE team that includes Project Specialists, Project Managers, and a Watershed Restoration Coordinator.

Learn more about Hillsboro Parks & Recreation.

What This Role Brings Together

This position combines project coordination, technical review, community collaboration, and field-based work to help advance Parks & Recreation priorities. You will support capital projects, strategic initiatives, long-range planning, and work identified in adopted strategic and system plans.

At the beginning, much of the work will be completed in a support capacity while you learn the department, division, City processes, and partner relationships. As you build knowledge and experience, you will take greater ownership of smaller projects and complete assignments with less day-to-day support or oversight.

The role balances detailed technical and administrative work with regular communication and problem-solving. On any given project, you may review plans and maps, coordinate consultant deliverables, prepare grant documentation, organize community input, maintain project records, or visit a park, trail, or construction site.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this position, you will:

• Support and coordinate the Parks & Recreation Department’s review of land use applications and development proposals, including reviewing design documents and evaluating potential impacts on parks, trails, easements, partnerships, and community connections.
• Support capital projects, strategic initiatives, long-range planning, and adopted system-plan priorities that help move department work forward.
• Support larger projects led by Project Managers and progressively coordinate smaller assigned projects, including schedules, milestones, consultant activities, documentation, communication, and deliverables.
• Support the planning, design, and construction of parks, trails, and recreation amenities by reviewing project materials, visiting sites, and documenting construction progress through notes and photographs.
• Research and evaluate potential trail easements, property connections, and partnership opportunities that support the planned trail network.
• Prepare grant applications and administer awarded funding in coordination with City staff and external partners, including tracking requirements, completing reports, and preparing reimbursement requests.
• Assist with consultant selection, contract administration, budget tracking, and review of project deliverables.
• Coordinate inclusive community and partner engagement activities, including presentations, public meetings, stakeholder communication, materials, and logistics.
• Prepare maps, presentations, reports, summaries, and other project materials for community members, advisory groups, City departments, partners, and management.
• Maintain accurate project records, reference materials, easement information, technical documentation, and supporting data while keeping communication open with supervisors, coworkers, and project partners.

What Success Could Look Like

During your first year, you will build a strong understanding of the department, division, and City partnerships; learn how the team’s work overlaps with other service areas; develop reliable working relationships; and begin completing assignments with greater independence. As you grow in the role, you will help improve processes and operating systems, develop goals based on adopted strategic and system plans, identify priorities that are important to the department, and take greater ownership of smaller projects.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

The strongest candidates will bring a combination of the following:

• The ability to read and interpret plans, maps, specifications, design documents, and other technical materials.
• Experience coordinating projects or assignments with multiple deadlines, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills, including the ability to adjust when project needs or timelines change.
• Clear written communication skills and the ability to prepare concise emails, reports, summaries, and presentation materials.
• An approachable, conversational communication style and confidence presenting information to community members, technical professionals, project partners, and decision-makers.
• The ability to build productive working relationships across City departments and with consultants, public agencies, developers, property owners, community organizations, and residents.
• Experience supporting inclusive community engagement and working respectfully with people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• The ability to respond professionally when community members are frustrated or raise concerns outside the position’s immediate area of responsibility.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and a practical approach to identifying problems and developing workable solutions.
• Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn, grow, and connect project work with the value parks and trails bring to the community.

Preferred Experience

The following experience is preferred but is not required to be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, parks and recreation, environmental science, geography, public administration, community development, or a closely related field.
• Park, trail, land use, or community planning.
• Grant writing or grant administration.
• Contract administration or budget tracking.
• ArcGIS or comparable geographic information system tools.
• AutoCAD or comparable design tools.
• Inclusive community engagement.

Experience with City-specific municipal codes, development-review processes, and Adobe Creative Suite is not required; these skills can be learned in the role.

You may have developed relevant skills through work in parks and recreation, urban or regional planning, landscape architecture, community development, public administration, project coordination, grant administration, engineering support, or another closely related setting.

For more details, please review the Projects Specialist job classification.

Associate’s degree in a closely related field; and three years of related experience in the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Licensing/Certifications

• Valid, current driver’s license and safe driving record.

Anticipated Recruitment Timeline

• Application Open: August 10, 2026
• Application Close: August 30, 2026
• Application Review Complete: September 11, 2026
• First-Round Interviews - Virtual: September 21, 2026
• Second-Round Interviews - In Person: October 1, 2026
• Final Candidate Selection: October 2026

Timeline subject to change based on City needs.

Why Work for the City of Hillsboro?

At the City of Hillsboro, we’re committed to supporting employees with a comprehensive package of benefits and resources designed to promote health, well-being, and growth.

When you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off for vacation, sick leave, holidays, and more
• Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings
• City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements
• Free TriMet annual Hop pass and SHARC recreation access for you and your family
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness

To learn more about our robust benefits package, please visit our Benefits Page.

Work Schedule

This full-time position is generally scheduled Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility in start and end times. After successfully completing the first 90 days, the employee may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule that includes working remotely up to two days per week, based on operational needs and supervisor approval.

The work includes office-based assignments, meetings, and site visits at parks, trails, construction areas, and potential project locations. Employees may work outdoors in all temperatures and weather conditions. A City vehicle will be available for work-related travel during the workday.

Application Guidelines

1. Apply Early: This recruitment will close after the first 150 applications are received.
2. Complete Your Application: Please fill out all sections thoroughly and accurately, as resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. Your application responses are the primary way we assess your qualifications.
3. Highlight Your Unique Skills: Take time to clearly describe your relevant experience and accomplishments. Thoughtful, detailed responses help us better understand your skills and how they align with the position.
4. Be Authentic: Please ensure your responses reflect your own experience and are written in your own words. We value clear, specific examples that demonstrate your skills and contributions.

Diversity Commitment

Hiring a workforce reflecting the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.