Parks Project Manager

The City of Sammamish is a safe, family-friendly suburb in the Seattle area. The community boasts amenities found in a much larger community, all while maintaining its small-town charm. Sammamish has quality neighborhoods, vibrant natural resources, high-quality schools, retail offerings, and an abundance of recreational opportunities.

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. This position 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, and Facilities 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.

• 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
None required.

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 to parks and CIP, and sustainable and environmental design process requirements.
• Current research, trends, products, technology, and developments in the field of public sector 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. 

• 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 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.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from any background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set. 

The City of Sammamish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.