Natural Surface Trails Planner II – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)

Description

• Are you highly organized with a keen eye for the details?
• Do you enjoy collaborating with a team to support the development of trails?
• Are you creative and intuitive in your approach to multitasking?

If this sounds like you, The Montgomery County Department of Parks is the place you want to be! We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly organized Natural Surface Trails Planner II.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 421 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. There is a robust team focused on over 270 miles of park owned and maintained trails. Reporting directly to the Trails Program Manager, the Trails Planner 2 will lead the Montgomery County Department of Parks in telling the story of our trail network and all it has to offer. Go to our website to learn more: Montgomerhttps://montgomeryparks.org/

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Montgomery County Department of Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery County Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, ideology or status as a Veteran.

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

• Supports the implementation of the Countywide Park Trails Plan and other small area Park plans. Reviews and analyzes master plans and sector plans for park trails and active transportation elements. Collaborates with multi-disciplinary professional staff in team environments to support development plan review and analysis of a) public and other projects that impact park trails and parklands, b) provide new or rehabilitated trail segments on parkland, or c) provides active transportation infrastructure connecting to parkland.
• Engages with communities requesting new trails or major rehabilitations, conducts field visits with community representatives, conducts field work to assess existing trails or investigate reported problems.
• Assists with park/trail planning projects, including feasibility studies, shared-use path and linear park design, land acquisition and trail construction.
• Actively participates in interagency meetings and coordinate planning and other initiatives related to the Countywide Masterplan of Transportation with the Planning Department, County Department of Public Works and Transportation, Maryland State Highway Administration, and the National Park Service. Ensures the Division maintains communications and partnerships with the Capital Trails Coalition, Prince George’s Parks and Recreation, the National Capital Region’s Trail County program, and the bicycle, pedestrian and trail planning staff in neighboring jurisdictions.

Data & Infrastructure Management, Trail Outreach.

• Tells the story of our trail networks through writing, mapping, graphic design, photography, short promotional videos and social media posts, program reporting and project updating. Coordinates trails messaging, including etiquette campaigns, trail closure alerts, detours, construction impacts, and other communications efforts. Primarily responsible for any outward facing data and information related to trails including but not limited to website, outreach materials, maps and data.
• Stewards all GIS data related to trails and trail assets such as trails and trail infrastructure. Works with Management Services Division to contribute to larger Parks Department framework for data and consistency, best practices, and integrating with Parks web applications.
• Develops and implements a strategy in the following areas: managing our trail user count program, improving user experience related to providing effective emergency response and services.
• Coordinates implementation of trail amenities such as trail counters, kiosks, signs, benches, etc. and the integration of amenities supporting Enterprise Asset Management and inventory for GIS.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience or specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.  Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Important Skills and Characteristics

• Demonstrate commitment to sustainability and the mission of the Department.
• Proven track record with data collection, statistics, data analytics, and a record of applying quantitative methods to decision making.
• Ability to synthesize data and transform it into coherent, strategic workplans.
• Extensive content knowledge in the areas of trail building, resource stewardship, and the park planning process.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment on a wide range of projects.
• Ability to work outside, conduct field work and collaborate with maintenance, natural resource and park program staff.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS and MS Office, enterprise software and specialized software for planning, scheduling, communicating, word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, researching, document control and performing other computer functions for data management and retrieval.
• Demonstrate strong project management skills, as well as written, verbal, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’ Degree in urban planning and design, environmental policy, or related field.
• Experience working with a Parks Department or other large and complex government organization preferred and Knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws and policies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; research skills; interpersonal and time management skills; familiarity with the planning process at the local level. Experience with social media and public facing materials.
• Skills in one or more of the following: photography and photo management, videography, info graphics, or cartography.
• Ability to communicate in another language a plus.