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Manager, Parks Planning, Research and Design

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, City of Surrey is a globally recognized leader in building vibrant, sustainable communities through technology and innovation.  City of Surrey employees are talented innovators, inspired by meaningful work and the opportunity to drive our city—and their careers—forward. Build a City. Build a Future at the City of Surrey.

Scope

Parks Planning, Research and Design is responsible for long range planning, parkland acquisition, conceptual and detailed design of the City’s extensive and rapidly growing park system. 

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Parks Manager, this role will be responsible for providing overall leadership and management of park planning, acquisition and design programs. As the Manager, Parks Planning, Research and Design, you will be responsible for:

  • Directing the work of contractors & consultants and providing team leadership to 7 professional staff
  • Providing long-range and master planning for parks, open spaces and greenways
  • Planning for sites of new recreation and cultural facilities
  • Management of the City-wide Parkland Acquisition Program
  • Partnership with the development community to determine park requirements
  • Preparing conceptual and detailed designs for new or retrofitted parks either directly using in-house professionals or indirectly through the retention of design professionals
  • Undertaking research on emerging trends in land use and recreation, design techniques, sustainability, low impact design procedures and policy options related to a broad range of parkland management issues
  • Developing techniques and procedures to improve the effectiveness of community consultation initiatives and implementing a community consultation process for each park development project
  • Delivering major park projects through partnerships with Park Development Services and consultants
  • Supporting inter-departmental planning and design initiatives
  • Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with other City departments and government agencies for the delivery of park planning, research and design programs
  • Preparing and implementing corporate and departmental plans and strategies for service delivery
  • Reviewing private development permit applications submitted to the City to ensure compliance with all Parks related policies
  • Managing Geographic Information System (GIS) data, and providing drafting and mapping services to support the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department with assistance from the City’s Engineering GIS Section
  • Leading public consultation processes and acting as a departmental representative to community advisory committees and community associations
  • Preparing reports to stakeholders, senior management and elected officials
  • Hiring, evaluating, training, developing, and coaching employees
     
    Qualifications
    Our ideal candidate shares our City values of Community, Innovation, Integrity, Service and Teamwork, and can demonstrate the following qualifications:
  • Graduation from a recognized university with a degree in planning, landscape architecture or a related discipline
  • Minimum of 9 years of experience in the planning profession after a relevant bachelor’s degree with progressive experience at a strategic level; or a minimum of 7 years of experience in the planning profession after a relevant Master’s Degree with progressive experience at a strategic level
  • Strong understanding of park planning, land acquisition, operations and development and community partnerships
  • Actively display good judgment, decision making, initiative, and independence in resolving problems and conflicts
  • Strong interpersonal skills, leadership, and management abilities within an environment of contract, union and exempt staff
  • Advanced communication skills both written and oral.  Comfortable presenting to large groups
  • Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable
  • Registered or eligible for registration with the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) is desirable
  • Public sector experience is considered an asset
  • Valid BC Driver’s License
Location: 
City of Surrey
13450 104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3T 1V8
Canada
Contact: 
Lesley Neves
Phone: 
(604) 591-4660
Click to view background photo & credits
Project: Westminster Pier Park
Landscape Architect / Firm: PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc.
Location: New Westminster, British Columbia
Photo Credit: PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc.