New

Park & Recreation Planner / Community Engagement Specialist

Alfred Benesch & Company
parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
Aug 14, 2025
Simply Put, A Great Place to Work Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country - creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference. We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you'll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share. At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. We are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don't be so hard on yourself-apply for the job! Park & Recreation Planner / Community Engagement Specialist Join our growing Landscape Architecture team as a Park Planner! In this role you will work under close supervision by a Project Landscape Architect and/or Project Manager. As a Planner you willperform long term planning studies and documents. You will also coordinate the production of planning documents for park and recreation and/or municipal clients. The Impact You Will Have: Responsible for developing long-term plans for park and recreation departments Using good planning skills helps clients save money by ensuring that public resources are used wisely and efficiently Help public agency clients and community groups to ensure that their park system meets the needs of the local community What We Are Looking For: Bachelor of Science from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture, Community, Regional or Urban Planning, Parks and Recreation Administration or related field required 5-10 years of park planning or directing experience working with a private consulting firm, municipality, or college/university recreation program Working knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of park and greenway planning and development Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate in a team environment Excellent communication skills: verbal and written - e-mails, prepare and write clear concise comprehensive park and recreation master plans and site-specific master planning documents Detailed, and organized individual who thrives in environments that are deadline driven Working knowledge of the park/greenway planning process, how to prepare, organize, lead, and participate in the public engagement/community outreach process Willing to periodically lead public engagement meetings on weeknights and occasional weekends Facilitate face to face and digital stakeholder meetings Working with a community survey consultant, facilitate statistically valid surveys Prepare power point presentations, attend, report, and give presentations to local governments at council retreats, closed and open session meetings (City Councils, Town Councils, County Commissions, and Board of Alderman, Advisory Boards, and Committees) Business Development - participate in winning work, securing clients, and securing repeat work with existing clients Responsibilities include visiting existing parks and future park sites to evaluate the condition of existing park facilities, site amenities and natural conditions, assisting with budgeting, mapping, and visualization, planning tools, and performance metrics Understand park operations and staffing Able to work with the public and have good interpersonal skills Prepare and submit grant applications Attend park and recreation conferences Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch! At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch! Professional Development Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Team Leaders, Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions Personalized training and career development plans with your manager Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement Retirement Benefits Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%) Work/Life Balance Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role) Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement Employee Engagement At Benesch, we encourage our team members to extend their impact beyond their core responsibilities. Join our employee resource groups and committees to enhance your work-life balance and contribute to our community-focused initiatives. We support a variety of programs including community service, student scholarships, and matching gift opportunities, reflecting our commitment to a vibrant and diverse workplace. If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here. Benesch is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants in all protected groups, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws. Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found. Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment. If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailingTalentAcquisition@benesch.com. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis. Recruiters or staffing agencies: Benesch is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to a Benesch employee without a recent, current, and fully executed agreement on file. Please direct all communications to the HR team at TalentAcquisition@Benesch.com