Parks Planning & Development Administrator

Full-Time

◄ Back to All Categories

Parks Planning & Development Administrator

APPLY HERE

Position Title: Parks Planning & Development Administrator

Status: Full-time

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Director of Administration

Definition/Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Administration, the Parks Planning & Development Administrator is responsible for the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of all North Canton City parks, trails, recreation facility rentals, and related capital improvement projects. This position is responsible for oversight of established recreation operational management agreements and public-facing recreation services. This position provides professional strategic park system planning, project planning and development, park grants, and sponsorships. Analysis and oversight of recreation service expansion, website and platform management, interdepartmental coordination, public engagement, and long-range capital improvement implementation.

In coordination with the Director of Administration, the Parks Development Administrator will lead park development initiatives and is responsible for advancing projects from concept through design, funding, procurement, construction, implementation, and close-out. The position also ensures that contracted facility operators, management partners, and rental systems are functioning in accordance with City expectations and community service standards. The position ensures that park and recreation investments are strategically planned, publicly accountable, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the City’s Master Planning document and the 10-year strategic Parks Master Plan.

This position is intended to strengthen the City’s capacity to manage complex park and recreation capital projects, oversee key recreation and facility management agreements, expand recreation opportunities, improve service delivery, pursue external funding opportunities, coordinate public-private partnerships, and deliver high-quality public amenities that enhance quality of life, neighborhood vitality, environmental stewardship, and long-term public asset value.

Key Responsibilities

Master Plan Implementation & Strategic System Development

• Serves as the lead staff resource for interpretation, implementation, and ongoing execution of the City’s Parks Master Plan.
• Establishes project priorities, implementation schedules, and organizational structure necessary to carry out recommendations identified in the Parks Master Plan.
• Develops and maintains a strategic framework for translating Master Plan recommendations into actionable projects, policy initiatives, operational improvements, and funding priorities.
• Monitors progress toward implementation of adopted goals and provides regular updates to administration, boards, commissions, and City Council.
• Evaluates emerging opportunities, community needs, and park system gaps to ensure the master plan remains a practical and evolving guide for investment and service delivery.
• Park Planning, Development & Capital Project Delivery
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and administers park, trail, playground, recreation facility, open space, shelter, and related capital improvement projects from concept through completion.
• Coordinates scoping, budgeting, scheduling, design review, procurement, construction administration, and project close-out for approved park and recreation projects.
• Develops project recommendations, cost estimates, timelines, and implementation strategies for review by Administration and City Council.
• Ensures park development projects are aligned with the City Master Plan and Parks Master Plan and address accessibility requirements, sustainability goals, and community priorities.
• Identifies short- and long-term park system needs, deficiencies, opportunities, and strategic investments.
  
  

Management Agreement Oversight & Contract Administration

• Provides administrative and operational oversight of management agreements for City recreation and park and recreation-related facilities. (Arrowhead, Civic, and Dogwood Pool).
• Monitors operator performance, compliance with contractual obligations, service quality, public access expectations, maintenance responsibilities, fee structures, reporting requirements, and adherence to City standards.
• Coordinates with legal counsel, finance, administration, and department leadership on contract review, renewals, amendments, performance concerns, and long-range operational planning.
• Evaluates existing and proposed management structures to ensure efficient service delivery, accountability, and alignment with City goals and public expectations.
• Facility Rentals, Shelter Operations & Recreation Service Oversight
• Oversees the administration, coordination, and performance of all park facility shelters, reservable park spaces, recreation facility rentals, and related public-use amenities within the Parks & Recreation system.
• Manages or supervises the City’s rental management platform, reservation software, or similar technology systems used for facility reservations, shelter rentals, and customer service delivery.
• Develops, updates, and recommends rental policies, procedures, fee schedules, user standards, and service expectations to improve efficiency, customer experience, and operational consistency.
• Coordinates with staff, vendors, and partner operators to ensure park facilities, shelters, and reservable spaces are properly maintained, scheduled, and available for public use.
• Oversees current recreation rental offerings and evaluates opportunities to expand or improve rental-based recreation services and amenities.
  
  

Recreation Programming & Service Expansion

• Assists in the evaluation and potential development of recreation programming opportunities,
• Explores opportunities to introduce new programming, seasonal activities, community programs, events, partnerships, and fee-based services that respond to resident demand and support broader use of City parks and facilities.
• Coordinates with community organizations, nonprofits, schools, instructors, vendors, and contracted partners to assess program feasibility and service delivery options.
• Provides recommendations to leadership regarding recreation program services for revenue generation, inclusive of cost recovery opportunities, to enhance public benefit and long-term sustainability.
  
  

Grant Development, Funding Strategy & Financial Sustainability

• Identifies, researches, and evaluates local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private grant opportunities related to parks, recreation, trails, conservation, accessibility, placemaking, and public amenities.
• Prepares, coordinates, or manages grant applications, supporting documentation, project narratives, budgets, schedules, and compliance materials.
• Administers awarded grants, including tracking deadlines, reimbursements, procurement requirements, documentation, reporting, and post-award compliance.
• Works collaboratively with Finance, Administration, and Engineering, ensuring funding alignment and compliance.
• Explores and evaluates funding options and long-term funding strategies to support park system sustainability, capital reinvestment, and implementation of master plan priorities.
• Assists in the evaluation of potential new park funding mechanisms, revenue strategies, partnerships, sponsorships, user-fee models, levies, or other sustainable funding approaches as directed.
  
  

Website, Communications & Public Information Management

• Oversees and coordinates management of the Parks & Recreation Department website and related public-facing digital content, ensuring timely, accurate, and user-friendly information regarding parks, facilities, rentals, programs, events, and public amenities.
• Coordinates updates to online facility information, reservation procedures, fee schedules, program offerings, seasonal notices, policies, maps, and public communication materials.
• Works with internal staff to improve digital accessibility, public communication, and the customer experience related to park facility rentals.
  
  

Public Engagement, Boards & Council Support

• Assists with community engagement efforts for park and recreation projects, including public meetings, workshops, surveys, presentations, and stakeholder outreach.
• Prepares staff reports, memoranda, project summaries, grant updates, capital recommendations, operational assessments, contract updates, and agenda materials for boards, commissions, administration, and City Council.
• Presents project updates, recommendations, funding requests, and operational analyses in public meetings in a clear, professional, and responsive manner.
• Responds to resident inquiries, concerns, and requests related to park development projects, amenities, rentals, recreation services, accessibility, and implementation schedules.
  
  

Teamwork

• Coordinates with Park Operations Manager on playground replacements, shelters, trails, courts, signage, landscaping, site furnishings, natural areas, accessibility improvements, and related amenities.
• Consults with Parks Ops Manager and team on parks beautification, placemaking, and enhancement projects.
• Meets frequently with Parks Ops Manager on conditions of the park system and any suggestions or concerns.
• Works with the Operations team to promote best practices in sustainability, environmental stewardship, universal accessibility, and resilient design in public park spaces.
  
  

Administrative, Budget & Performance Responsibilities

• Assists in the preparation and administration of park development budgets, capital budgets, operating support analyses, and multi-year project forecasts.
• Tracks project expenditures, encumbrances, grant reimbursements, rental revenue trends, contract performance measures, and budget performance for assigned projects and services.
• Maintains project records, schedules, contracts, reports, performance documentation, rental platform data, and operational tracking metrics.
• Develops performance measures and implementation benchmarks for park development initiatives, recreation service delivery, facility rentals, and management agreement oversight.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of departmental operations and strategic objectives.
  
  

Education

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Planning, Public Administration, Construction Management, Natural Resources Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in park planning, parks and recreation administration, capital project management, public works/municipal project coordination, recreation operations, contract administration, facility rental management, grant administration, or a closely related field.
• Municipal or public-sector experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with capital project planning, public procurement, recreation facility operations, management agreement oversight, public-facing software platforms, grant development, or park system implementation strongly preferred.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a municipal parks and recreation department or local government setting.
• Experience managing park, trail, playground, recreation facility, or civic space capital projects.
• Experience with recreation facility rentals, reservation systems, website content management, or public service platforms.
• Experience administering or overseeing management agreements, concession operations, or public-private operating partnerships.
• Experience preparing or administering grants such as ODNR, Land and Water Conservation Fund, CDBG, Capital Budget requests, NatureWorks, Clean Ohio, or similar funding programs.
• Experience with public engagement and presentation before boards, commissions, and elected officials.
• Professional certification, such as CPRP, or project management credentials, is desirable but not required.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of parks and recreation planning, park development, capital project coordination, recreation operations, facility management, and public asset management.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting, capital improvement programming, grant administration, procurement, contract management, and revenue-generating public service models.
• Knowledge of design and development considerations for parks, trails, playgrounds, athletic facilities, shelters, aquatic facilities, golf facilities, pickleball facilities, event venues, landscaping, accessibility, and public amenities.
• Knowledge of management agreement oversight, facility operations, reservation systems, customer service platforms, and recreation service delivery.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and safety considerations related to public projects and recreation facilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and operational responsibilities simultaneously with competing deadlines.
• Ability to interpret plans, specifications, contracts, budgets, schedules, operational reports, and technical documents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, residents, consultants, contractors, developers, partner agencies, boards, operators, and staff.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and public communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, diplomacy, and professional discretion.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• May provide direction or coordination with park operators and volunteers.
  
  

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and field environments.
• Requires frequent use of a computer, phone, and standard office equipment.
• May requires attendance at evening meetings, public meetings, site visits, facility inspections, events, and occasional weekend activities as needed.
• Must be able to travel between municipal facilities, parks, and project sites.
• Must be able to traverse uneven terrain, construction sites, trails, athletic and aquatic facilities, and park grounds in varying weather conditions.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license.
  
  

Note: This job description outlines the core responsibilities and requirements for this position. Management reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as needed to meet the evolving needs of the City. The City of North Canton is an equal-opportunity employer.

APPLY HERE

Job Details

Category Full-Time Status Open Posted April 14, 2026 Closing April 28, 2026 11:59 PM

Tools

• Apply Online