Planning Supervisor

(Full Time, Exempt)

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 pm on May 1, 2025

Hiring Range is $75,412 to $101,545 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.

Position Summary:

Under general direction of the Planning Manager this position is responsible for planning activities for park, trail, open space, and recreation facility planning, with a focus on entitlements, land use development, public presentations, and public engagement. This position manages land use referrals from outside agencies and applying for grants to fund projects. The position supervises the Planning team, assists in preparing and administering capital improvement budgets and in carrying out the overall mission and goals of the Planning and Development Department. Performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.

Essential Duties:

• Assists the Planning Manager in carrying out the Department’s vision, mission and goals. Promotes and fosters an organizational culture based on superior customer service, the guiding principles and values of the District and its mission to the community.
• Supervises, mentors and leads personnel. Performs or oversees the hiring, assigning, reviewing and planning work of full-time staff, and provides backup support as needed. Allocates staff, recommends employee transfers, promotions and salary increases. Ensures compliance with applicable personnel guidelines and employment law. Performs annual performance review of assigned staff.
• Assists with planning and leading the daily operations and staff of the assigned areas within the department with a strong focus on delivering quality customer service.
• Performs conceptual and master planning, development entitlement processes, and South Suburban’s internal public planning process for a variety of short term and long-range projects.
• Responsible for creating and updating documents needed for the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) reaccreditation. Ensures knowledge of the standards that affect the department’s areas of responsibility and submit documentation in a timely manner.
• Prepares appropriate paperwork and reports to complete project tasks, including master plans, budget management and financial reports.
• Coordinates projects within the department and with other District departments, multi-discipline consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Identifies funding sources, writes, and applies for grants from Arapahoe County Open Spaces, Great Outdoors Colorado, and others.
• Produces computer graphics varying from plans to maps, charts, diagrams, and representative images.
• Prepares presentations and attends public meetings to review and present plans to citizen groups, developers, various governmental agencies, city councils, planning commissions, District staff and District Board of Directors.
• Facilitates public input meetings with homeowner associations and citizen and user groups and oversees the department’s public input platform.
• Acts as the District’s representative for inter-agency planning with entities such as cities, counties, utilities, school districts, etc.
• Assists in analyzing and preparing budgets for the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, and citizens.
• Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, trainings and, orientations.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned area.
• Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.
• Required to attend multiple weeknight and occasional weekend meetings.
• Gathers, researches, and analyzes data to make valid conclusions and use for the decision making, planning, and improvements to the development process.
• Prepares written reports and presentations that detail critical elements of plans.
• Manages outsourced projects to include request for qualifications, request for proposals, consultant scope and deliverables.
• Manages the referral review process with outside agencies with the Planners and Planning Analyst to accurately document, review, and comment on private and public land use development.
• Creates and maintains project schedules and communicates the status of project deliverables in a timely and effective manner.
• Coordinates the acquisition of easements, agreements, wet and dry utilities, land titles, and other items related to planning and development.
• Develops and writes policies and procedures related to planning for approval by the department manager.
• Conducts field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, or a related program.
• Four (4) years of park planning or other closely related experience that includes one (1) year project management experience and two (2) years previous supervisory/leadership experience.
• Any combination of experience, training and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of park planning terminology, park development processes and procedures, recreational planning principles, and methods and techniques of land use and environmental and site planning.
• Demonstrated skills in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Skills with Revu Bluebeam are preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and professionally and make timely and appropriate decisions.
• Must be highly motivated and take direction well with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Solid organizational skills with excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project and Internet Explorer.
• Ability to research, gather, organize and analyze information, meet deadlines and provide accurate professional documents and complex reports under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent communication skills to express facts, data, and ideas clearly and concisely orally, graphically, and in writing; develop, facilitate and lead presentations; build consensus with citizen groups and/or District personnel; and negotiate contract elements with contractors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.
• Ability to attend meetings scheduled on some evenings and weekends.

Material and Equipment Used :

• Regularly uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, printer, and photocopier.
• Sometimes uses manual drafting equipment, instruments, materials, and plotter/scanner/printer.
• This position may be required to drive a District and/or personal motor vehicle to various off-site facilities.

Working Environment :

• Works primarily in a clean, comfortable office environment subject to interruptions and background noise.
• Works outdoors at parks, trails, and open spaces subject to variable weather, ecosystems and landscapes.

Physical Requirements :

• Sedentary work for long periods of time.
• Occasional physical work lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional carrying, walking and standing.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment.
• Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication. Must understand and be understood.
• Navigate construction job sites with uneven terrain and obstacles.

This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.

We’ve Got You Covered!

South Suburban Offers:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans
• Disability and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA’s)

Happy Employees Are the Best Employees

• South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!
• Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $360 annually

Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy

• 10 paid holidays per year
• 4 personal days per year
• Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself

We’ve Got Your Back

• Up to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service
• Trainings to grow your professional and personal skill set
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year

Play Where You Work

• Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few
• Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors

We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:

• Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools
• 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants
• $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses

SSPRD offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the Benefits Guide for Full-Time Employees

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.

About South Suburban Park and Recreation District

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

Connections working at South Suburban Park and Recreation District