PARK PLANNER I, II, III, IV

(Series Specification)

Class Code: GW2 GW4 GW6 GW8 
Analyst:  JS 
Date Originated: 01/91 
Date Revised: 9/93 

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under direction, conducts park planning and acquisition studies; oversees master plan development and construction projects for parks and recreation facilities; prepares grant applications, construction documents, master plans and administer grant programs, design contracts and construction contracts; may serve as a project leader or specialist; and performs other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Park Planner I is the trainee level for the professional park planner series. Incumbents initially work under general supervision and as experience is gained they perform a broader range of duties and are expected to advance to the Park Planner II level within 18 months.

Park Planner II is the journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents independently perform professional planning assignments with limited supervision. This class differs from the Park Planner I in that it is responsible for design and management of assigned projects. Incumbents may provide assistance to lower level park planners and may make presentations to internal and community groups as well as decision-making authorities.

Park Planner III is the senior or advanced journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents use independent judgment to perform diverse, complex assignments, which require extensive coordination with other land use agencies, County departments, other agencies and public groups. Additionally incumbents are required to make presentations to the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. This class is distinguished from the lower level park planners and handles controversial and technically complex assignments. Incumbents may serve as project leader on multi-faceted programs or planning efforts.

Park Planner IV is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the park planner series. This level requires possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California. Incumbents are expected to perform any field or office assignment with a minimum amount of supervision and work under general direction as a project manager in charge of a small group of subordinate park planners and/or paraprofessional staff, public study groups or planning staff engaged in a wide variety of responsible park development work and other major projects. Park Planner IV may also review and approve complex plans and specifications prepared by lower level park planners to assure conformity to State and/or County design criteria and standards. The Park Planner IV class differs from the higher class of Park Planning and Development Manager, who is at a full supervisory level and responsible for the design section of the Department.

TYPICAL TASKS

Research grant sources, prepares and assists in the administration of grant programs and construction projects; prepares park planning and acquisition studies including land use and master plans for parks; researches land use regulations and constraints to ensure park acquisition is consistent with appropriate regulations; make field investigations of proposed park, recreation or historic sites to assess suitability and potential use; gathers data to appraise property for future park acquisition; conducts public needs assessments, determines fiscal resources and environmental requirements and prepares land acquisition reports; coordinates park planning activities with other County Departments and public agencies; prepares working drawings, specifications and cost estimates; prepares bid proposals and requests of quotes for architectural and engineering services and reviews and makes recommendations on bids and quotes; obtains local, state and federal approvals and permits; performs park layouts and survey work; serves as parks construction project inspector by reviewing and inspecting work to ensure conformance to plans, specifications and departmental and County standards; recommends design changes and change orders; may conduct public meetings and hearings; prepares reports and correspondence; attends meetings and conferences; inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Park Planner I

Park Planner II

Park Planner III

Park Planner IV

Abilities:

Park Planner I

Park Planner II

Park Planner III

Park Planner IV

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Park Planner I: Two years experience in public or private landscape architectural, architectural, or civil engineering practices, plus completion of 12 semester units of college course work in park planning, park management or administration, or civil engineering, landscape architecture, architecture.

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in parks planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture or related field.

OR

Possession of a valid Landscape Contractor or Building Contractor License issued by the State of California, plus completion of 12 semester units of college course work in park planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture, or related field.

Park Planner II: One year of professional park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner I at Santa Cruz County.

Park Planner III: One year of experience that is equivalent to a Park Planner II at Santa Cruz County.

OR

Two years of experience in landscape architecture or closely related professional experience with a Bachelor's Degree in parks planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture or related field.

Park Planner IV: One year of park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner III at Santa Cruz County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority (Additional for Park Planner IV). Possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California.

Bargaining Unit: General Rep

EEOC Job Category: 02

Occupational Grouping: 28

Worker's Comp Code: 0053

GW8SPEC