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Principal Park Planner- Indy Parks (Internal Applicants Only)

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Principal Park Planner- Indy Parks (Internal Applicants Only)

Salary

$71,822.40 Annually

Location

City County Building, IN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

09371

Department

DPR-Admin

Opening Date

09/29/2025

Closing Date

10/4/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Summary

*INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY*

Position responsible for serving in the Planning Section of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Core activities are to develop long-term comprehensive park master plans for facility development and resource management of city park properties. Coordinates planning for new and/or potential city park properties, greenway trails; and ensures that the parks’ natural and historic resources and man-made facilities are planned and developed consistent with the philosophy and goals of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Position requires the knowledge of established policies and procedures, laws, regulation standards and guidelines that range from clear to ambiguous. The theories, principles, practices and techniques of landscape architecture, park and recreation planning, and natural resources management must be applied when solving planning problems which are often complex in nature and involve many different entities and when preparing the comprehensive long-range master plans. The Principal Park Planner must utilize considerable judgement to balance the needs of park users with the least environmental impact on park natural resources. The position requires strong communication skills and ability to gain cooperation and/or support for sometimes controversial projects, issues, and policies and when making recommendations that require considerable funding allocations and/or significantly change the facilities, resources and/or management of a city park. Position reports to the Administrator Resource Development.

Agency Summary

With over a century of history advancing the value of parks, Indy Parks is committed to protecting and enhancing the community's assets for the future. We will be a leader in making Indianapolis a vibrant, happy, and healthy place to live. By providing premier greenspaces and recreation opportunities, we welcome all residents, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, ability, or identity, to connect to nature, to the community, and to themselves. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Position Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

+ Facilitates department-wide planning projects

+ Conducts feasibility studies and prepares planning documents for new and existing city parks and/or developments

+ Reviews environmental information pertinent to existing and proposed city park properties

+ Conducts fieldwork to gain knowledge of park sites and to aid in determining facility, natural resource, and management needs for master plans

+ Conducts, research, and analyzes data for master plans and other park projects

+ Develops plan concepts, final design recommendations and cost estimates for park master plans

+ Assists in developing and preparing the department’s annual budget

+ Prepares a variety of reports and presentations concerning city park planning and development

+ Composes park plans, including texts, graphics, and printing production

+ Illustrates and/or drafts all maps for master plans and other planning projects

+ Coordinates and promotes public participation in the planning process, which involves news releases, mailing public meeting notices and visitor surveys

+ Develops multimedia presentations for the Board of Parks and community meetings

+ Reviews construction plans and specification

+ Prepares, implements, processes, and monitors professional service contracts

+ Visits construction job sites, review work for conformance to plans and specifications

+ Responds to and resolves most questions and issues, referring only the most complex to the next level.

+ Must maintain confidentiality at all times

+ This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or a related field is the minimum academic requirement, and two (2) years professional planning experience in a public park and open space planning agency or 3 years in professional practice under a registered landscape architecture, architect, or engineer is required. Course emphasis should be on environmental land use planning, principles and practices in design development and leisure recreation. Must have strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to effectively coordinate, guide, assist and monitor staff in project research, analysis, and development in the completion of assigned work projects. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the theories, principles and practices involved in landscape architecture, park recreation, land use planning, historic preservation, and environmental resource management. Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply laws and standards regarding recreation facility design, greenway trail development and environmental impacts to natural resources. Working knowledge of and ability to apply computer technology to department planning needs, including all Microsoft Office products, desktop publishing, ArcView and AutoCad. Ability to conduct studies, analyze results and make recommendations for solutions to park use and resource management problems. Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and develop, prepare, and draft park plans. Ability to develop and prepare a variety or reports regarding park planning, feasibility studies, legislation, and other related issues. Ability to understand recreation trends and apply that knowledge to long-range planning of city park properties and facilities. Ability to illustrate and draft maps for master plans and other projects. Ability to facilitate public meetings and develop multimedia presentations and related materials. Ability to obtain certification as Landscape Architect in the State of Indiana preferred. Considerable knowledge of the natural resources of Indiana (plants, animals, soils, water, geology) and their relationship within natural communities and ecosystems.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

Master’s Degree in landscape architecture or a field related to recreation community development, park administration or land use planning is desired.