Assistant Director Urban Trails Planning

This professional position entails all phases of professional and technical work related to the planning, development and execution of all types of off-street urban trail projects. This position requires a resourceful planning and project management professional with superior written/verbal communication and presentation skills.  The ideal candidate will possess creative problem-solving skills and an aptitude for cultivating and maintaining partnerships with a variety of stakeholders such as internal departments, citizens and other external organizations.  The ideal candidate will have passion and enthusiasm for the parks and recreation system and off-street urban trails. The position requires involvement in planning, obtaining real estate or rights-of-way, joint-use agreements, designing, engineering, construction and observation of construction of trails and trail head facilities at various sites, largely outdoors. There is a substantial degree of interaction with employees and the general public, partners, public agencies, volunteers, in person, in writing and by telephone. This position is responsible for providing leadership of the staff of the Trail Planning Division within the Planning and Engineering Department to deliver quality off-street urban trails parish wide.Education Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university
Preferred: ?Masters Degree
 
 
Area of Study (major) Required: Baccalaureate Degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
Preferred: Master's Degree or higher in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, or Urban Planning,
  
Certification(s) Required: Certified Professional in Recreation and Parks (CPRP) within 18 months of hire
Preferred: AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), PMP (Project Management Professional)
 
License(s) Required: Valid LA driver's license
 
 
Years Relevant Work Experience: 7 years professional experience or 3 years trail planning experience
?Preferred: 10 or more years related experience, at least 3 years full-time at BREC
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Technical experience with off-street urban trails planning, design and construction.
• Experience with oversight of capital improvement projects; quality assurance inspections, budget management, contractor oversight, etc.
• Master planning experience in parks, off-street urban trails or a directly related field.
• Experience with grant writing and grant oversight; ensuring thorough documentation, facilitation and appropriate use.
• Experience successfully managing a variety of projects at various stages at one time.
• Experience developing and delivering effective presentations to diverse audiences; public, internal departments, external stakeholders/organizations and working with diverse groups individually and with the public in public planning forums.
• Thorough knowledge of principals & practices of urban trail planning, design & planning processes.
• Knowledge and experience in planning, designing, permitting & constructing trails and trail head facilities, including public bidding processes.
• Knowledge of research methods and use of parks and recreation data.
• Knowledge of project procurement processes, specification development & report writing.
• Ability to estimate project costs and manage project costs within established limits.
• Ability to develop, follow and implement the off-street trail components of the Parish-Wide Bike/Ped Master Plan.
• Ability to manage planning and design consultants, and other outside professional service providers and contractors.

• Responsible for the preparation of planning studies and design solutions for urban trail projects.
• Manages and provides leadership, direction and assistance to the staff of the Trail Planning Division within the Planning and Engineering Department.
• Ensure that the preparation of construction drawings and specifications for projects to be bid are done in accordance with industry standards, and in accordance with federal, state, and local agency regulations and guidelines.
• Responsible for construction administration for trail and park projects.
• Participates and leads in working with public input in urban trail planning and design projects.
• Manages project funds.
• Responsible for obtaining rights-of-way and joint-use agreements for connectivity trails.
• Responsible for the development of Multi-Use Trails Improvements Conceptual Plans.
• Responsible for Inter-jurisdictional Trails Partnerships.
• Develops design standards and guidelines for trails facilities, access and signage.
• Facilitates and oversees the acquisition and management of trail easements and MOUs with conservancies and private property owners.
• Serves as BREC's primary liaison with trails user groups on trails planning, construction and management issues.
• Oversees the management, supervision, selection, and training of staff to accomplish the mission.
• Prepares complete and comprehensive reports and makes recommendations on planning, design, and engineering related to urban trail projects and programs.
• Supervises, hires, trains, counsels, coaches, disciplines, delegates assignments and evaluates the performance of subordinates; assumes directional responsibility for on-the-job training programs and staff development.
• Assists the Assistant Superintendent of System Planning with developing the agenda for the Planning & Park Resources Committee and attends meetings as requested of the BREC Commission, Community, Advisory Committees, as well as professional conferences, as a representative of the department.
• Keeps the Assistant Superintendent of System Planning promptly informed of key/significant issues or concerns.
• Responsible for self-development and staff development on current research, technology, trends and best practices in recreational off-street urban trail planning, design, and construction methods.

As assigned, within general framework of 5 days per week – within Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, occasional overtime and weekend work possible – hours generally between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Salary : $72,349 - $115,759