Job Details

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on February 27, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on February 27, 2026.

Job Title: Recreation Project Manager

Department: Recreation Services

External Hiring Range: $66,919.84 - $83,552.23

Compensation Grade: 3006

Pay Range: $66,919.84 - $106,837.53

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

Are you a Landscape Architect who wants to help shape the future of parks and recreation in Buncombe County? Would you like the opportunity to be a part of creating a new 342 acre park from concept to construction? This exciting opportunity allows you to lead the planning, design, and development of new and renovated parks, transforming community needs into vibrant, functional spaces. You will report to the Parks Division Manager and serve as a project leader on complex capital improvement projects, developing high-level design concepts, coordinating consultants, and guiding projects through construction. If you thrive at the intersection of creativity, technical expertise, and public service, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the places where our community gathers, plays, and connects.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to perform and coordinate a variety of professional parks and recreation planning, design, and development from concept to completion, including responsible and professional work coordinating various medium-to-large or complex capital improvement engineering and architectural projects, for the County's Recreation Services.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture/construction design, or related field and four (4) years of experience in project management and design, including two (2) years of project management and/or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Certified Parks and Recreation Professional or American Institute Certified Professional accreditation preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Registration as a Landscape Architect. (Must obtain registration with the State of North Carolina as a Landscape Architect during the first six (6) months of employment, if not already registered with the State of NC). NC Driver's License in good standing.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Develops and recommends concept, area, and facility plans based on strategic and master plans; performs park planning studies used for data analysis, policy recommendations, and project prioritization; confers with appropriate parties to solicit input and feedback; investigates potential park projects.
• Prepare concept design plans for parks and recreation related improvements such as park renovations, playgrounds, walkways and connectivity, parking, and other park amenities; and prepare and oversee preparation of site plans, scale models, construction documents, cost estimates, project schedules, and park and open space design studies; serve as project lead for the County's Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
• Develop, interpret, review, and evaluate plans, criteria, studies, and reports for parks and recreation planning and development projects related to facility improvements, maintenance, and renovation; review plans for environmental impact and historic relevance; prepare and monitor project budgets; and coordinate the design and construction of parks and recreation areas and facilities.
• Coordinate, oversee, and supervise the planning, design, and construction of County parks and recreational areas and facilities; manage and initiate review and/or design of engineering and architectural projects; provide technical advice and assistance to management, field personnel, contractors, and consultants.
• Develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFIs); manage the selection of consultants; negotiate contracts and fees; administer consultant services; and serve as liaison with contractors, consultants, and County departments.
• Manage, monitor, and review contracts and contractors to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, including administering change orders and estimates.
• Coordinate contracting agencies for parks and greenways projects and serve as departmental liaison; act as point of contact for inquiries regarding greenways and park and facility plans.
• Prepare reports for public hearings related to project updates, status, and findings; interpret public policy, codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop comprehensive financial overviews of departmental project needs and relevant funding streams; maintain ongoing data related to Recreation Services capital projects and other departmental records; prepare periodic and special reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of engineering and architectural design principles, practices, procedures, and estimating techniques.
• Knowledge of project accounting; architectural and construction methods; and the principles, methods, and practices of project
• management.
• Knowledge of budget policies and principles.
• Knowledge of contract policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local grant process and administration; Ability to administer, track and report grant fund expenditures in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines. Ability to assist with information gathering and document creation for grant applications.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of engineering architecture and landscape architecture as applied to park and recreational area design, construction, and maintenance; Modern surveying and construction methods; Construction and landscape materials.
• Knowledge of the objectives and ideals of public recreation, including a thorough understanding of activities, which make up a Parks and Recreation Program.
• Knowledge of pertinent park programs and applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and codes including the County Ordinances pertaining to Parks and Recreation.
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Publisher, Excel, AutoCAD, GIS, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Skill in adapting, interpreting, and applying guidelines and standards.
• Skill in interpreting legal descriptions of leases, real estate, easements, and similar properties
• Skill in negotiating with various audiences to accomplish objectives.
• Skill in written and oral communications including public presentations.
• Ability to make prompt decisions and develop new and relative ideas for providing a quality product and quality customer service with little or no supervision.
• Ability to develop expense projections, conduct cost analysis, and identify ways to maximize resources.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.