Associate Parks Planner

Salary : $84,792.00 - $103,356.00 Annually
Location : 1055 South Grady Way Renton WA 98057, WA
Job Type: AFSCME
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00062
Department: PR - Parks & Trails
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description
The City of Renton is seeking an Associate Parks Planner to join the Parks and Recreation Department's Parks and Trails Division. The Division is responsible for citywide planning, acquisition, development, and major maintenance of Renton's parks, trails, and natural areas, overseeing the city's urban forestry program and operating the Renton History Museum.

The Associate Parks Planner plays a vital, multi-disciplinary role in advancing the Department's mission to provide exceptional parks and recreational opportunities that enrich the health, wellness, and quality of life for all Renton residents while ensuring equitable access, preserving natural resources, and honoring the city's history. As part of a collaborative and passionate team, the Associate Parks Planner will:

• Support both short- and long-term planning efforts.
• Assist in the planning, design and development of public parks and trails including community and partner engagement.
• Contribute to land acquisition, conservation initiatives, grant development, and system-wide needs analyses.
• Foster interdepartmental collaboration and community engagement to ensure that projects align with city goals and reflect public priorities.

The incumbent will need to have strong project management skills, excellent written and oral communication and coordination abilities, and a solid understanding of public open space planning, design, and regulations. This is an exciting time to join the department, as Renton is currently updating its 2020 Parks, Recreation, and Natural Areas Plan, the current version of which is available on the Parks and Recreation website.
Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Deferred compensation with the City contributing 3% of the employee's salary.
• VEBA Plan with the City contributing 1% of the employee's salary.
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates
• Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two "personal" holidays a year
• State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment

To view a complete job description, click here.
Telework Program

The City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, working certain days/times remotely based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of the job title or telework arrangement, the City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Research, prepare, and present staff reports and presentations to the City Council, Planning or Parks Commission, other boards and commissions, other elected officials, regional committees, shareholders, civic groups, and the general public.

• Compose, edit, and prepare a variety of written materials including reports, discussion papers, amendments to the municipal code graphics, and other materials.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret social, economic, demographic, housing, and land use data and summarize in report form.
• Remain current on relevant legislation, regulations, codes and policies.

• Coordinate and assure the quality production of major planning documents and maps and administer related contracts.

• Assist with all aspects of parks planning, land acquisition, and land conservation within the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Support the development and implementation of planning and policy documents related to park and trail development, city-wide and park and trail master plans, land acquisition, and natural area conservation; Assist in identifying and prioritizing broad park, trail, facility, and natural area projects based on documented emerging needs.
• Actively participate in citywide long-range planning initiatives conducted by other departments, contributing professional expertise on parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation.
• Provide and interpret information orally and in writing to the public, local, state, and federal entities concerning Department policies, rules, and regulations.
• Provide community engagement and outreach efforts through participation at public meetings, managing online platforms, and other related methods as necessary. Analyze and summarize community input resulting from engagement and outreach.
• Support the development of scopes of work, requests for proposals, selection of consultants and professional service providers, and vendor procurement in alignment with city procedures and policies
• Support grant development, budget proposals, or other fundraising efforts for property acquisition, park planning, and development projects.
• Assist capital improvement and maintenance projects as necessary.
• Support inter-jurisdictional programs and projects that affect City parks, trails, facilities, natural areas, and recreation opportunities.
• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• May be assigned to support critical city priorities during emergencies.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Land-use Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or closely related field.
• Minimum 2 years of park planning experience.
• Or minimum 6 years of relevant education and experience.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Successful passing of a required driving record check.
• Successful passing of a required background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Drive to offsite locations to perform essential functions.
• Move throughout City facilities and buildings.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Communicate with City employees and residents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in an office environment (and outdoors in all weather conditions occasionally).
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud and noise level in the office is moderately quiet.
• Work evening and/or weekend hours occasionally.
• Night meetings may be required.

Selection Procedure

The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website:

The City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including candidates' names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the screening of applications. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application.

Accommodation: Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact Sjacobs@rentonwa.gov at least 2 days prior to the need.

Communication from the City of Renton:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application.

Recruitment Process:
The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires driving and is also subject to a driving record check from the WA State Dept of Licensing (or other state equivalent). Driving records will be evaluated based on a points system depending on the infraction and severity.
This position is represented by AFSCME, Local 2170, and the applicable benefits are as follows:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• Employees are offered a choice of medical/vision coverage through either Kaiser Permanente or the City's self-insured plan. Preferred Provider Option is available through the self-insured plan. Rates for both plans are available on the Benefit webpage. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for details.
• The dental insurance plan covers services such as regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia coverage is also provided.

Deferred Compensation Program

• The City contributes 3% of the employee's base wage rate into a deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Employees may also set aside a percentage of their earnings on a tax-deferred basis.

Retirement Plan

• Employees are enrolled in either the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS) or the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).
• The following position is required to be enrolled in PSERS*
  • Probation Officer

*If an employee was in PERS prior to 2006, the employee had the choice to remain in the PERS plan.

• Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.

VEBA
The City contributes 1% of base pay into individual employee VEBA accounts, which can be used to pay out of pocket medical expenses.

Life Insurance

• A group term life insurance policy is provided to each employee at a value equivalent to the annual salary, up to $50,000.
• Each eligible dependent is also provided with a $1,000 policy. There is no cost to the employee.
• Optional supplemental insurance is available for employees and their dependents at group rates.

Long Term Disability Protection

• Many employees are provided with a long term disability policy up to the equivalent of 60% of their salary.

Flexible Benefits

• The City offers employees the opportunity to open two separate tax-free accounts through salary reduction. One account is to pay for expenses not covered by health insurance and the other account is for child care costs.

Vacation

• Employees accrue vacation beginning with the first day of employment as follows: 12 days per year (0-5 years); 18 days per year (6-10 years); 21 days per year (11-15 years); 24 days per year (16-20 years); and 27 days per year (21+ years).
• Employees may access their vacation after six months of employment.

Sick Leave

• Upon employment, the employee receives a sick leave bank of 24 hours, with an additional 24 hours awarded after three months.
• Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of four hours each pay period.

Employee Assistance Program

• A confidential counseling assessment and referral service is available without cost to employees and family members for help with personal, family or job-related problems.

Paydays

• The City of Renton pays employees on the tenth and the twenty-fifth of each month (24 pay periods each year).

Holidays

• The City recognizes eleven holidays and offers two "personal" holidays each calendar year for most employees, unless otherwise specified in a labor contract.

Hours of Work

• Flexible work schedules are available in many departments.

Transportation

• Unlimited free rides on various bus systems as well as various carpool and rideshare options are available for City employees.

Please see the City of Renton Benefits webpage for more information.
01

Why are you interested in the Associate Parks Planner position at the City of Renton? How has your education and/or experience prepared you for this role?
02

Please describe a community engagement process that you were involved in as part of a planning initiative. What was your role?
03

How do you incorporate principles of equity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship into park design and planning? Can you provide an example?
04

Please state your highest academic level completed and your major.
05

Please select how many years of professional experience in municipal park planning you have obtained.

• Less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 6 years
• 6 years or more

06

Please check the boxes of the areas you have at least 2 years of professional experience in.

• Community Engagement
• Grant Writing
• Land Acquisition
• Long-range Planning
• Natural Area Conservation
• Parks & Trails Master Plans
• Public Speaking
• Request for Proposals
• Staff Reports

07

Candidates invited to a second interview will be asked to submit a writing assignment as part of their 2nd interview. If requested, are you willing and able to submit a writing assignment within 60 minutes.

• Yes
• No

08

Thank you for your interest in joining the City of Renton team. We have adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, such as candidates' names, contact information, etc. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. You must thoroughly complete the education section (if applicable to the qualifications of this position) and work experience section in chronological order. You must also provide a thorough response to each of the Supplemental Questions.Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application as described above without any personal identifiers included. Failure to do so may result in elimination from further consideration.Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes, I have read and understood the information listed above.

Required Question