Parks Project Manager II

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 1,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides a broad range of programs, services, facilities, and park amenities within the City and County of Denver. The City’s park system encompasses more than 290 urban parks, parkways, and natural areas, totaling over 7,000 acres. The Department boasts more than 14,000 acres of pristine mountain parks, eight golf courses, 24 lakes, more than 87,000 park trees, 187,000 right-of-way trees, over 90 miles of off-street trails, 14 off-leash dog parks, and over 300 athletic fields. The recreation system serves approximately 2.25 million visitors annually. It includes 30 active recreation centers, 16 outdoor pools, and 16 current indoor pools. Recreation activities include arts and cultural classes and events, aquatics, sports and fitness opportunities, and youth programming. In addition, the Department offers programs focused on outdoor education, youth and adult sports leagues, and out of school programs offered in conjunction with Denver Public Schools. DPR comprises four divisions: Administration, Recreation, Parks, and Planning, Design and Construction. Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to make Denver parks inviting and inclusive spaces for all residents, businesses, and visitors? Are you passionate about parks, culture, and creating spaces for all to enjoy public life? Join our Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) Planning, Design and Construction team as a Parks Project Manager II. The City and County of Denver is launching a unified Vibrant Denver Bond Office dedicated to delivering the $950 million Vibrant Denver Bond Program, passed by voters in November of 2025. Team members will operate with a “program-first” mindset, working collaboratively to deliver transformative investments on behalf of the City and County of Denver. Successful candidates will thrive in an empowered team environment, demonstrate accountability, and actively foster strong partnerships with the communities we serve. As a Parks Project Manager II, you will be focused on ensuring Denver’s parks and open spaces are designed and constructed to support intensive uses as culturally rich civic spaces for all, contributing to Denver’s development as a world-class city. This individual will coordinate closely with the Design and Construction team, the Parks Program Manager, Parks Senior Planner, the Vibrant Denver Bond team, and internal city and external partners to advance projects identified in the Game Plan for a Healthy City, the Vibrant Denver Bond, and DPR’s annual and 5-year Capital Improvement plans.

Requirements

• We are looking for an experienced project management professional with exceptional communication skills. The ideal candidate will be a resourceful problem solver, a proactive decision-maker, and an adept team-builder to cultivate partnerships with consultants, contractors, and project partners. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the parks and recreation system and open spaces to provide our Denver residents, businesses, and visitors.
• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Project Management, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of professional project management experience in the related occupational group including planning, managing, and scheduling projects and preparing and reviewing contract documents.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• By position, requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading and managing large, high profile, complex, technical, urban parks projects
• Previous successful experience in the management of parks design and construction projects
• Experience managing projects involving multiple design and construction disciplines in an urban setting
• Construction Management experience
• Landscape Architecture experience
• Landscape Architecture Licensure / Architecture Licensure or equivalent certification is preferred, but not required
• Experience fostering consensus around uncertainty related to design and construction
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a large and diverse team, representing the citizens of Denver while demonstrating flexibility and adaptability
• Strong communication skills, including verbal communication, writing, record-keeping, file organization, and project documentation of the design and construction process
• A Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Architecture, Engineering or a related field is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Manage, scope, schedule, design, construction, and budget of multiple large and complex projects that include elements of urban design, landscape architecture, placemaking, outdoor recreation, green infrastructure, urban park elements, historic/cultural landscapes, and structures
• Create, develop, and monitor project schedules, budgets, contracts, consultant/contractor teams, and delivery methods associated with defined scopes of work
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and across multiple city departments to deliver capital projects from design documentation through construction
• Serve as Project Manager on larger-scale Vibrant Denver Bond parks projects as they arise in coordination with Operations, Recreation, Parks Planning, Parks Citywide Maintenance, Vibrant Denver Bond team, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), and Community Planning and Development (CPD)
• Understand and execute alternatives in contracting, procurement, and project delivery methods
• Work with consultant teams and contractors to keep projects within budget
• Ensure that design and construction projects meet DPR and DOTI’s standards
• Establish expectations for, monitor, and address consultant and contractor individual and team performance on projects
• Identify and implement design and construction innovations that improve partnerships and project performance
• Oversee public and stakeholder engagement efforts, including balancing diverse perspectives and building consensus around project goals and collaborating with consultants and internal teams to produce high-quality, context-sensitive designs that reflect Denver’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and equity.
• Stay current on park and recreation design trends, best practices, and creative approaches to park design and construction

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 13 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level