Known as the Gateway to the Rockies, the City of Aurora is an All-America City and lies on the eastern edge of the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. The city boasts spectacular views of the Front Range spanning from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. More than 386,000 residents and 10,000 businesses choose to call Aurora home, making it the third largest city in Colorado and the 54th largest in the United States.

The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) has 7 divisions: Planning, Design & Construction, Open Space and Natural Resources, Business Services, Recreation, Parks & Forestry, Golf, and Special Events and Marketing. The department has approximately a $50M operating budget and $20M capital budget, along with 305 full-time and 400 to 1,100 part-time/seasonal staff.    

Under the direction of the Director of Parks and Open Space, the Manager of Parks Planning, Design, and Construction will be responsible for park, trail, and arterial streetscape design and construction management, recreation facilities design, long-range planning, and master planning efforts. This role requires comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of site planning, public property design and construction, as well as project management and scheduling processes needed to maximize planning, design, and construction management. Experience in master planning, strategic planning, and other municipal planning and public engagement efforts that inform division and department goals are key. 

The ideal candidate shall have experience and working knowledge on a wide range of urban design projects such as regional parks, plazas, neighborhood parks, pocket parks, and the structures and features that shape and develop the identity and character of Aurora. It is imperative for candidates to have a proven track record of effectively overseeing municipal operating budgets and capital construction budgets, as well as the ability to anticipate needs and prioritize/manage multiple complex tasks while maintaining a high level of customer service to internal and external partners. Demonstrated success in obtaining county, state, and federal grant funds is also beneficial for this role. 

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, civil engineering, architecture, or related field, along with at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in park planning, landscape architecture, and/or project management, and 3 years of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.