Park Planning Specialist

The City of St. Albert is recruiting an individual to join our Recreation & Parks department as a Park Planning Specialist.

Reporting to the Supervisor, Parks Planning & Stewardship, this position is responsible for the completion of specific park planning activities and the coordination of park projects. Working in consultation with professional consultants and the City's Capital Projects Office, the Park Planning Specialist leads or supports parks design development, public participation, and construction contract management. The position also supports strategic initiatives related to capital projects, asset management, long-term parks and recreation amenity planning, and other parks-related projects to help ensure community needs are met.

Responsibilities

• Act as Project Manager for assigned park development and redevelopment projects.
• Coordinate project planning, consultant services, public participation activities, and implementation processes.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments, consultants, community organizations, and other interest holders to support project delivery.
• Lead or support planning initiatives related to parks, recreation facilities, open spaces, playgrounds, sport fields, trails, and other outdoor recreation amenities.
• Develop planning documents, reports, assessment tools, project charters, and recommendations to support departmental objectives.
• Plan and implement interest holder consultation and public participation processes for assigned projects.
• Support departmental input into municipal planning processes including area structure plans, subdivision, and related planning documents. Support corporate wide long range planning initiatives, business planning and other initiatives as assigned.
• Implement, review, monitor, and recommend changes to standards and specifications for parks and recreation amenities.
• Support park and open space stewardship initiatives, including park utilization programs, asset management assessments and other monitoring of parks, trails, and open spaces.
• Collaborate with internal partners to support effective service delivery, project management, communications, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor project budgets, support financial planning activities, and identify potential grant and funding opportunities.
• Research emerging trends and provide recommendations to support future parks planning and service delivery.

Qualifications

• A university degree in Landscape Architecture, Recreation Administration, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field, combined with three (3) years of related experience; or a two-year diploma in a related field, combined with five (5) years of related experience.
• Experience in project management, parks planning, recreation planning, community development, or a related field.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, budgets, and timelines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, consensus-building, and conflict resolution skills.
• Internal Association of Public Participation certification or Project Management Professional designation is an asset.
• A valid Class 5 Driver's Licence and access to a personal vehicle for business use.

Hours of Work

• We offer a compressed bi-weekly work schedule of 72 hours, Monday Friday, 8:00 – 5:00, with a biweekly regular day off (RDO).
• Benefit from flexible work hours by adjusting your start and end times by 30 or 60 minutes around our core hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• There is a requirement to occasionally flex your schedule to allow for evening or weekend meetings, project support or public engagement activities.

Compensation

• The salary ranges from $86,055.32 - $105,914.90 per year, including a comprehensive benefits package with a flexible spending account, pension plan, and accrued paid vacation starting at 3 weeks per year.
• Candidates not meeting the full qualifications may be considered for a development opportunity at a lower classification and salary.
• Learn more about our benefits here: Employee Benefit Guide

Why You Should Work With Us

• Eligible to apply for a Hybrid Remote Work arrangement, with a minimum of 51% of work time spent onsite and the remainder worked remotely. Employees are eligible to participate in this program after 3 months of employment, subject to satisfactory performance.
• You will receive a Flexible Spending Account limit at the beginning of each calendar year (permanent full time $400).
• Employees can purchase an annual Recreation Access Pass for $87 + tax, granting unlimited access to Servus Credit Union Place (excluding PLAYcare and registered programs), Fountain Park Recreation Centre, and Grosvenor Outdoor Pool.
• Free parking near most City worksites (ask for location specific details).

Conditions of Employment

• The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of educational and professional credentials.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain a satisfactory police information check.
• Please note that the presence of charges or convictions does not automatically preclude an individual from being considered for employment. All findings will be reviewed and assessed in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.
• A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence and access to a personal vehicle for business use are required.

Application Information

• Apply via the City of St. Albert Careers site careers.stalbert.ca
• Please upload a cover letter and a resume when applying for this opportunity. These will need to be uploaded as two separate documents.

Closing Date: October 18 at 10:00 Mountain Time