Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
Los Altos, California
Brownsville, Texas
Posted: 09-Feb-26
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Type: Full-time
Categories:
Sector:
Salary Details:
Job Summary
With a fabulous waterfront, vibrant downtown, great parks, neighborhoods and public spaces, a commitment to smart growth, excellent service delivery and community engagement, Vancouver, Washington is all grown up, and we need excellent talent to keep us going (and growing) strong!
If who we are speaks to you, and if you’re the type of person who is interested in joining a team invested in planning for the future of Vancouver then the City of Vancouver may be for you.
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Parks Planner. The primary responsibilities for the job are to lead planning efforts for the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (PRCS) Department. This work ensures that the Department establishes effective and future focused policies and key strategies that will maximize community impact within available resources.
This includes maintaining and implementing the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan, monitoring the distribution of park facilities and assessing needs, leading park system acquisition and expansion, oversight of the parks impact fee program, preparation of technical and policy related reports and mapping, securing additional funding including grants and coordinating on review of development proposals. The position reports to the PRCS Director.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt union position.
At this time, this position is eligible for telework or hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion based on business needs. Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the City cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Open until filled. First review of applications on February 19, 2026.
Job Details
Essential Functions:
- Park planning: develop and maintain the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan and contribute to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Ensure that polices and strategies are effective in reflecting community vision and are compliant with applicable laws, standards and best practices. Present complex planning information to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission and the Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission.
- Parks inventory management: Research and maintain relevant information and documents pertaining to property ownership, land restrictions and agreements. on all properties owned and managed by Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services.
- Grant management: research and pursue grants and other funding sources that support parks and recreational opportunities. Manage application, submission, reimbursement and reporting.
- Park and open space acquisition: manage all aspects of the land acquisition program for parks, natural areas, trails and special facilities; includes research, analysis, evaluation, negotiations and real estate acquisition process.
- Parks impact fee program: maintain core analysis and policy direction that supports the implementation of impact fees to support parks and recreation facilities. Provide technical evaluation of park impact fee program, presenting recommendations for program updates to the Parks Commission and City Council to ensure fees support growth and updates of park properties.
- Park design: contribute to park design efforts, ensuring plans are consistent with the comprehensive plan and that location and level of development is consistent with planning goals, is well distributed, and meets the needs of the community.
- Land use planning review: coordinate responses on development review project applications that evaluate potential impacts and mitigation measures to protect city park system.
- Mapping: review, update and maintain various maps and property Inventory documents.
- Partnerships and community engagement: represent the department in interagency relationships and participate in engagement with the community on projects and planning efforts.
- Strategic management: Serve as a departmental leader driving innovation, process improvement, and organizational efficiency across projects and service delivery.
- Budget development: support the preparation and maintenance of the Department’s budget with particular focus on ensuring a successful capital program.
- Integrate the department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement into City sponsored community events and other programs.
Qualifications
Experience and Education
Experience:
- Five (5) years
Education:
- Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy or a related degree. Master’s degree preferred but not required.
*Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Computer Skills
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
- Experience in mapping and GIS
Required Licenses and/or Certifications
Possession of:
- Appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Knowledge
- Principles and practices of urban planning, including land use and environmental.
- Principles and practices of park and trail system planning, including development of policies, standards and capital facilities plans.
- Principles and practices of comprehensive planning, as mandated under the Washington State Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, and related planning frameworks.
- Innovative funding: Demonstrate effectiveness at identifying and capturing a variety of external funding including grants, foundational support and sponsorships.
- Principles and practices of conducting research, analyzing and modeling data, and technical writing.
- Effective strategies for communication and creating presentations.
- Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Principles and practices of development code writing and application.
- Principles and practice of municipal budget preparation and administration
- Knowledge of public-partnership development and execution.
- Principles and practices of team leadership and employee supervision.
- Strategic Thinking: Skill in setting long-term goals, driving innovation, and improving organizational efficiency.
- Equity and Inclusion: Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and how to integrate them into public programs.
- Public Speaking and Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for public engagement, presentations, and stakeholder relations.
- Project Management: Ability to coordinate complex projects, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress effectively.
- Build Partnerships: Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with cultural organizations, commissions, and community stakeholders.
- Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Abilities
- Multitasking and Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple programs and initiatives simultaneously.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to changing community needs and organizational priorities.
- Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and promote inclusive practices
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects
- Ability to work effectively with cross-departmental and multi-organizational teams
- Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
- Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
- Provide a high level of customer service at all times
- Maintain regular and dependable attendance
- Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
- Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
- Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
- Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
- Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, and a basic criminal background check.
The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!
Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.
Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us
