Senior Planner – Parks, Rec, & Cultural Svc

Salary

$41.12 - $49.36 Hourly

Location

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services - City of Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type

Classified - Full Time

Job Number

18328

Division

Parks, Rec & Cultural Svc

Department

Park Planning & Design

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 4:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions
  
  

Description / Position Overview

Senior Planner – Parks, Rec, & Cultural Svc

The Parks, Rec, & Cultural Services department is looking for a motivated employee who will have the opportunity to manage and coordinate a wide range of park planning and open space projects—from scheduling, budgeting, consultant oversight, design review, and interdepartmental collaboration to public engagement, land-use compliance, strategic planning support, and presenting project proposals to advisory boards and City Council.

This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year.

As a Planner, Senior, You Will

• Manage a broad range of park planning projects including setting project schedules, designing priorities, budget and budget tracking, hiring and managing consultants, working closely with internal Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department staff and other internal and external agencies, and planning and leading project public engagement, based upon IAP2 foundations and techniques.
• Review and coordinate with City Planning, PRCS Department, Parks Advisory Board on complex land use applications for compliance with City Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) code sections.
• Process Park Site Design submittals (aka: conceptual park designs or park master plans). Verify all application design standards are met in compliance with code language and department standards and policy.
• Lead the project management for Master and Management Plans for Open Spaces to include hiring consultants, coordination with staff, budget, citizen engagement, and presentations to TOPS Working Committee, PRCS Advisory Board and City Council.
• Assist with PRCS Department Strategic Plan, Park System Master Plan implementation, and related community education activities.
• Research and coordinate with other PRCS staff on various park and site planning aspects , including, but not limited to: land use development, geotechnical, drainage, historic and cultural significance, easements, encroachments, traffic and street crossing, fire mitigation, safety response, building permits, surveys, forestry, construction, etc.
• Research and coordinate activities and projects to present to management and PRCS Advisory Board and City Council for formal adoption.
• Write staff reports and present project proposals and updates at PRCS Advisory Board and City Council meetings, and in other public meetings.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Learn more about this job by reviewing the class specification on the City of Colorado Springs Class Specifications page

Knowledge Of

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Principles and practices of effective project management.
• Principles and practices of effective public engagement
• Pertinent federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Land use planning, zoning, and development methods and techniques.
• Local building code and permit process
• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Project management systems
  
  

Ability to:

• Make decisions and/or recommendations regarding policy development and implementation;
• Read and interpret technical drawings
• Prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects
• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff
• Meet work goals, objectives and deadlines.
• Be a good communicator who works well with co-workers, stakeholders and other agencies.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

We value a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Our organization views each year of further education as equivalent to each year of relevant work experience, and each year of additional relevant work experience as equivalent to each year of required education.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study.
• Five years of full-time, professional experience in either planning, landscape architecture, architecture, geography, or a related field (Note: Planning is defined as urban, regional, land use, and/or comprehensive long-range planning working with or for a municipal government.)
  
  

Technical Skills: Advanced Skills and Knowledge: Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization-wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are not required, but they are considered desirable. If you possess any of the preferred qualifications, please include specific details in your application. This information may be used to identify a top group of applicants.

• Possess, or obtain upon hire and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver’s license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• A complimentary master's degree in planning, park & recreation, landscape architecture, geography, architecture, public administration or related fields.
• Strong practical experience working in or with Parks and Recreation Departments on design and construction of parks, trails and open spaces.
  
  

Certifications/Licenses: One or more of the following:

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification
• Landscape Architecture License, a Colorado Registration (or reciprocity).
• NPRA CPRP (National Recreation and Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional) Certification - or another recognized certification.
  
  

Technical Training

• IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) Certification
• Experience with GIS (Geographic Information System), CAD (Computer-Aided Design), Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, the general suites for Microsoft (specifically Word, Excel, Teams, OneNote), Accela, or others.
  
  

Professional Memberships

• ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
• APA (American Planning Association)
• NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association)
• CPRA (Certified Park and Recreation Professional)
  
  

Additional Information

Please contact Katie McLaughlin at katie.mclaughlin@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a welcoming culture that values our employees' unique individual qualities and fosters a welcoming environment where people want to be

The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.

NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.

The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Apply to Join Our Team

• Please visit the City of Colorado Springs Careers page and review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).
• Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
• Applicants may redact information from their resumes, certifications, transcripts, or any other additional application materials that identify the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
• We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability Program. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page
• Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.
  
  

The City's job classifications, including physical demands and descriptions, can be found on the Colorado Springs Class Specifications page

You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.

To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.

Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!

Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.

The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school
• High School diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or above
  
  

02

How many years of full-time, professional experience in either planning, landscape architecture, architecture, geography, or a related field do you possess? (Note: Planning is defined as urban, regional, land use, and/or comprehensive long-range planning working with or for a municipal government.)

• Less than one year
• One or more years
• Two or more years
• Three or more years
• Four or more years
• Five or more years
• Six or more years
• Seven or more years
• Eight or more years
• Nine or more years
• Ten or more years
  
  

03

If yes, please explain, in written detail, your experience, including your role and where you gained the experience.

04

Do you have any of the following certifications? Please select all that apply.

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification
• Landscape Architecture License with a Colorado Registration (or reciprocity)
• NPRA CPRP (National Recreation and Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional) Certification
• None
  
  

05

Do you have any of the following technical training? Please select all that apply.

• IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) Certification
• GIS (Geographic Information System)
• CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
• Adobe photoshop, illustrator, and the general Microsoft Suites
• None
  
  

06

Do you possess any of the following professional memberships?

• ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
• APA (American Planning Association)
• NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association)
• CPRA (Certified Park and Recreation Professional)
• None
  
  

Required Question

Employer City of Colorado Springs

Address 30 South Nevada Avenue, Suite 301

Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903

Phone (719) 385-5125

Website http://www.coloradosprings.gov