• Job Description

  Req#: 5009969

  The Principal Planner for Parks and Recreation plays a key leadership role in shaping the future of Scottsdale’s parks, open spaces, and recreational amenities. This position is responsible for managing complex, high-impact projects that integrate principles of urban planning, landscape architecture, and community engagement to support a vibrant, sustainable park system. As a technical specialist within the Parks & Recreation Division, the Principal Planner oversees planning efforts that align with Scottsdale’s General Plan and Parks Master Plan. The role requires collaboration across departments and with outside agencies, as well as active participation in public outreach initiatives. Ideal candidates bring deep expertise in parks and recreation planning, strong project management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, consultants, and elected officials. This position reports to the Deputy Parks and Recreation Director and contributes directly to Scottsdale’s long-term goals for livability and high-quality public spaces.

  
  

  Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending on candidate’s experience and internal equity. The full salary range is listed above and mid-point for this position is $120,536.00/annually.

  Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Social Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited educational institution.
  • Seven years of progressively responsible experience in planning or design.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and/or job-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

  Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

  • Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

  Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on division/department/services assignment.

  Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

  • Manages multiple complex projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality work.
  • Interprets technical data, site plans, architectural renderings, and legal documents.
  • Communicates effectively with the public, staff, consultants, and elected officials.
  • Leads community engagement efforts and facilitates productive discussions on sensitive issues.
  • Prepares and delivers clear, concise written reports and visual presentations.
  • Collaborates across departments and with outside agencies to align strategic goals.

  • Applies creative problem-solving approaches to recreational planning challenges

  • Most work is performed in a city office environment.
  • Lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds with assistance.
  • Operate a variety of standard office equipment, including a personal computer that requires continuous and repetitive arm, hand and eye movement.
  • Travel to/from meetings and various locations.
  • Attend evening and weekend Commission, Council, and Community meetings as required.

  
  

  Benefits Highlights:

  The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
  • Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
  • Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
  • Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
  • City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
  • Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
  • Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
  • Pet Insurance
  • Bilingual pay compensation

  
  

  Please visit the Benefits Information page for more information.

  
  

  Selection Process:

  The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

  
  

  Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

  • Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
  • Criminal Background screening
  • Drug Screen
  • 39-Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check

  
  

  The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

  
  

  PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

  EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

  When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an “otherwise qualified applicant with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491.
  
  This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

  
  

• About the company

  A discussion of parking options and challenges in Downtown Scottsdale.

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