Land Operations Project Manager

City of Boulder•Boulder, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under limited supervision, manages and coordinates complex projects as assigned by Parks and Recreation Senior Manager of Business Services, with occasional projects from the Director and/or Deputy Director. Special projects assigned to this position are complex and will support one or more of the following work areas: parks and recreation service delivery and business planning for land operations focus within Urban Parks, Forestry, Urban Rangers and/or Regional Facilities. Performs a broad range of project management duties directly related to these projects, including development of project plan and approach, project communication and training strategy, change management, and other project management duties as required. The intent of this position is to increase the effectiveness of advancing department priorities related to land operations.

Requirements

Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, research, and process facilitation.
Ability to pay close attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to coordinate tasks to completion within deadlines and to provide quality control.
Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to assume responsibility, to prioritize and resolve problems, and work well under pressure.
Knowledge in urban park or open space operations, forestry, natural lands, or regional facilities.
Knowledge in project management facilitation including scope development, risk management, contract administration, interdepartmental coordination, and financial management of projects.
Knowledge in project management systems such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Sharepoint or Power BI or similar platforms to track schedules and deliverables.
Skills at a high level in verbal and written communication, including strong presentation and facilitation skills.
Skills in team leadership in a multiple project environment.
Skills in administration, planning and organization.
Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain acceptable motor vehicle background.
Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation or related field.
Five (5) years of progressive work experience in the park and recreation industry that includes experience in project management, dashboarding, data visualization, benchmarking, and presenting findings.
Experience working in local government, non-profit work, other public agency or consulting.
Experience serving as a project lead.
Experience working with and/ or managing contractors/consultants.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and understanding of the Boulder community.
Experience working with large data sets from financial, human resources and asset management systems and other disconnected datasets.
Experience with community and/or organizational engagement.
Supervisory experience in managing volunteers, part-time and full-time staff, contractors/consultants.
Experience in municipal parks and recreation with an emphasis on any area of land operations which may include urban park operations, forestry, natural lands, or regional facilities.
Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile or related project management experience or certification.
Prosci Change Management or related certification.
Six Sigma or related process improvement knowledge or certification.

Responsibilities

Leads and supports complex projects related to land operations by developing project plans, defining scopes, coordinating timelines, tracking progress, and ensuring successful implementation.
Facilitates coordination and decision-making by working with operational staff, leadership, and partner departments to clarify needs, evaluate options, and support informed, timely decisions.
Develops and implements systems, processes, and documentation that allow initiatives to transition from project-based work into sustainable, ongoing operations.
Prepares reports and presentations to support operational planning, performance tracking, and decision-making.
Manages project delivery and execution.
Develops scopes of work, timelines, and implementation strategies.
Coordinates staff communications and training plans.
Supports change management and adoption of new processes.
Tracks milestones, outcomes, and performance measures.
Coordinates with vendors or contractors as needed.
Support initiatives that improve the management, safety, and usability of public spaces, including coordination of follow-up actions and collaboration with internal teams.
Coordinates and supports workforce development efforts by helping establish, communicate, and implement operational standards, expectations, training programs, and safety initiatives for staff in land operations, including park operations, forestry, ranger services, and related workgroups, to support continuous improvement in operational practices.
Collaborates with internal teams and partner departments to identify operational efficiencies, improve workflows, and strengthen coordination across land operations functions.
Helps clarify roles, responsibilities, and service priorities among teams working in shared spaces to improve consistency and effectiveness.
Assists with the analysis of staffing, labor standards, and resource allocation to support effective operational planning.
Supports financial and operational analysis projects, including cost modeling, fee development, and resource planning related to land operations programs and services.
Creates a respectful, inclusive work environment.
Promotes a culture of teamwork through collaboration and communication.
Conducts and leads work within the assigned program area, which may include research, design, management, and monitoring to meet department goals and resolve problems.
Influences others through experienced professional judgement and well-developed rationale.
Models, communicates, and reinforces city values while providing effective work planning and direction.
Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
Listens to questions and concerns, evaluates issues and possible solutions, help resolve problems when appropriate.
Evaluates internal and external data sources and public contact to determine appropriate follow up.
Acts as an information resource and assists with research and information as appropriate.
Performs additional functions as assigned.
Leads presentations in department, staff, and public meetings.
Prepares routine and special reports for internal and external audiences.
Serves and/or leads on assigned committees or projects upon request.