Parks Planning Manager

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Parks and Recreation Department manages a diverse and unique park and recreation system – over 1,800 acres of parkland encompassing 64 developed and open space parks, as well as 6 miles of beach front, indoor and outdoor recreation and sports facilities, a 100-acre municipal golf course and the community urban forest. With 21 playgrounds, 24 volleyball courts, 36 tennis and pickle ball courts, 2 community gardens, 2 lawn bowls facilities, 3 swimming and wading pools, 16 community buildings, 9 sports fields, and a beachfront skate park, the Departments programs and services support the entire community. Through co-sponsorship and partner agreements, Parks and Recreation collaborates with more than 50 local non-profit service providers, youth and adult sports organizations, non-profit foundations, and volunteer community groups. Recreation programs engage people of all ages, with specialized programs for youth, teens, active adults, low-income families and people living with special needs. The Department has five volunteer advisory committees and is supported by the Parks and Recreation Community (PARC) Foundation.

The Parks and Recreation Department is comprised of four (4) divisions: Administration, Parks, Recreation, and Golf.

Read more about the Parks and Recreation Department here.

THE POSITION

The City is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as Parks Planning Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee the planning, development, and delivery of major park and recreation capital improvement projects while helping shape the long-term vision for parks, open spaces, trails, and recreation facilities.

As a key member of the Parks and Recreation leadership team, you will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex capital programs, secure grant funding, oversee staff and consultants, and work closely with City leadership, community stakeholders, and regional partners to create exceptional public spaces that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors. The position will oversee a wide range of Parks and Recreation planning and policy initiatives provide leadership for planning park and recreational facility redevelopment projects, address park management needs.   Key initiatives include implementation of a forthcoming Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Golf Capital Reinvestment Program. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and experienced project manager with strong leadership skills, community planning and policy knowledge, exceptional communication abilities, strong administration and project management skills, and a passion for creating vibrant parks and public spaces. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Parks Planning Manager completes work under administrative direction and is responsible for exercising full supervision over technical, professional-level, and supervisory staff.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Professional experience in planning, architecture, engineering
• Project management including planning, design, permitting and implementation
• Public speaking and community engagement
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and building partnerships

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they relate to land development, wetlands, permitting, and wildlife.
• General laws, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to parks and recreation programs, safety practices, and field operations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
• Principles and practices of natural resource protection and restoration in a local government environment. 
• Federal, state, and local natural resource protection and restoration programs, environmental resources management and permit processing. 
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal parks and recreation program, including horticultural and arborist services. 
• Project management principles, processes, and techniques.

• Principles and practices for purchasing, contract development and administration. 
• Grant preparation and administration.
• Advanced practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of staffing, selection, training, supervision, evaluation and discipline.
• Research and survey techniques including data collection methodologies and statistical principles.
• Principles of performance management, program evaluation, and benchmarking.

• Community outreach and engagement techniques to encourage and foster community involvement in development of park renovation and facility enhancement projects and programs.
• Supervisory principles and performance evaluation practices; employee motivation techniques. 

Skill in:

• Operating computer hardware and using applications such as work processing, databases, spreadsheets, GIS and mapping programs.
• Coordinating and monitoring the work of others.
• Independent decision making.  
• Preparing clear and concise reports. 

Ability to:

• Provide exemplary customer service. 
• Oversee and direct the planning and implementation of annual small scale facility management and park enhancement projects, large scale park reinvestment projects, and development of long-range plans to provide community recreation services.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work, identifying the best staff member for the tasks.
• Plan, organize, and implement parks construction, maintenance, and development plans and identify and recommend program development needs and priorities given available resources.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets for capital and operating expenditures related to resource management and grant programs. 
• Write and review complex staff and agenda reports related to resource protection and environmental management programs, laws, and issues. 
• Secure grant funding for capital projects and research programs.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations. 
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques. 
• Select, train, supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of staff. 
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete administrative and financial reports. 
• Work cooperatively with staff, management, committee representatives, contractors, vendors, regulatory officials, Commissions, committees and advisory groups, and the general public. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Make effective public presentations.
• Work independently.

Required Education and Experience 
Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted.

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, urban planning, architecture, engineering, natural resource management, or related field. A graduate degree in a related field is desirable. 

Education and/or Training:

• Five (5) years of environmental policy, urban and park planning, natural resource management, and public capital infrastructure professional-level experience involving public policy or public agency management, in addition to at least three years of supervisory and/or lead experience. 

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.  

The selection process may consist of an application screening, supplemental questionnaire, written exam, computer skills exam, work sample, and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Parks and Recreation Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2026.

The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply.