PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT                                                                                38400

                                                                                                                                      (Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for developing long-range project programs. Under the general direction of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, an employee in this class is responsible for the planning and development of a long-range capital improvement program and for short term design projects. may perform design work, specification writing and construction inspection of a wide variety of landscape design projects for parks, playgrounds, recreation areas and a trees planting program in the  County of Onondaga Department of Parks and Recreation.  independent judgment is exercised in deciding priorities of requested design projects, recommending consultants for design work not within the scope of staff members and approving payment for completed construction work of design projects. , an employee in this class plans, directs, and coordinates the pursuit of federal, state and private grant‑in‑aid assistance for all capital projects. Work is received in the form of requested projects from other divisions of the Department, the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and individuals and groups requesting design projects. Work is reviewed through review of design plans and site inspections by the people requesting the project and presentation of programs and recommendations to legislative members, the Commissioner and individuals and groups sponsoring programs. An employee in this position exercises functional and direct supervision over Landscape Architects and other related department staff.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Review all preliminary designs done by the Landscape Architects if applicable, after a review is done by the Landscape Architect II, and performs occasional reviews throughout the design process, offering assistance and critiques as needed and performs final thorough review of construction drawings.

Reviews all the specifications written by staff members for accuracy and completeness, checks to see if materials ordered are of good quality and will be adequate to complete the project and that the construction procedures to be followed are clearly stated; checks cost estimates to be sure they are within the allotted expenditure figures; makes recommendations and changes as needed.

Decides what projects can be designed by staff members and what projects must be sent to a consultant; contacts consultants, usually architectural or engineering firms, to describe the project and obtain projected estimates for cost factors; decides which consultant should design the project and makes a written recommendation to the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation.

Develops a Capital Improvement Program which describes long range projects and updates this plan on an annual basis and, in the County, oversees grant‑in‑aid assistance; checks off completed projects and updates information and project ideas; makes changes in priorities in the scheduling of projects; writes thorough description of proposed projects which include recurring projects such as tree planting, paving park roads, and so on and one‑time projects such as tennis courts, bathhouses, locker rooms, storage garages, and so on by stating the need for the project, total cost estimate, if projects require consulting services, if the project will require land acquisition, construction costs, equipment and furnishings.

Sends the descriptions of proposed projects to administrators in all divisions of the Department of Parks and Recreation to obtain their input on the projects they consider priorities and places projects given first priority in the current year of the capital program.

Presents capital program to the County Legislature in Onondaga County to obtain expenditure approval for proposed projects; presents descriptions of the projects and cost estimates.

Meets with groups and individuals requesting projects not outlined in Capital Program; obtains general idea of what they want in the project and meets with Landscape Architects II to discuss what priority the project should be given, which staff member should do the design work and the time frame to be given to the project; obtains approval for funding of the project.

Reviews consultants preliminary drawings and pencil marks aspects of the design that meet with approval and those that do not, checks design to be sure the consultants design convey the desired concepts of the projects.

                                                                                                                                             38400

                                                                                                                                       (Competitive)

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES, Cont.

Meets with Landscape Architects and staff members who will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of project sites such as groundskeepers, plumbers, electricians, maintenance workers, and so on, before construction begins to review preliminary design and obtain their recommendations on whether or not the site will be feasible to maintain, whether the designated electrical system can be repaired by staff, the materials chosen are of good quality, and so on.

Takes site inspections of work while in progress and final site inspections to be sure the project meets with the specification, the work performed and materials used are of good quality; approves payment for projects completed.

Reviews specifications prepared by consultants.

Maintains inventory records from annual surveys of the condition and number of existing parks and recreation facilities done by the Parks division; this includes such items as pools, playground equipment, shelters, tennis courts, recreation centers, picnic areas, structures, sidewalks, roads, walkways and trails, and so on; keeps specific record of the item as to whether they are in good condition, need minor or major repair or need to be replaced; utilizes this information in developing a master plan for projects needed to be done and the priority of the project.

Assists in the preparation of the Department of Parks and Recreation budget; gives input on current projects, costs of current programs, recommends the continuance of current programs and projects costs for continuance or recommends discontinuance and gives reasons for decisions made, when assigned to Onondaga County.

May do design projects of advanced level: inspects the proposed site and compiles and analyzes data on such site conditions as geographic location, soil, vegetation, rock formation, drainage and location of any existing structures; studies existing maps and/or photographs of the site; researches information available to obtain ideas for the proposed project; draws a base map of the site as it exists.

Draws detailed site plans of proposed project, using freehand and technical drafting skills, which specifically illustrate ground contours and exact dimensions of site trees vegetation, rock formations, locations of structures and equipment, roads, walkways, parking areas, fences, walls and utilities; coordinates the arrangement of existing and proposed lard features and structures or equipment.

Decides what type of vegetation, equipment, structures and construction materials would be beset suited for the site; proposes the species of tree to be planted; where gravel, asphalt and grass should be used, researches catalogues and similar sources of information and recommends the best type of playground equipment, the best type of construction materials to use for structures such as pipes for plumbing, electrical wiring, lumber, concrete, nails, roofing materials, and so on and prepares a detailed cost estimate of each item needed for the project.

Draws on “trash” sheets several proposed designs.

Draws final site plans and construction drawing to be used by contractor including detailed information such as dimensions of site, square footage, ground contours, types of trees, and vegetation already existing and those to be added, walkways, grass areas, parking areas, location of existing structures and those to be added, types of equipment to be used, model numbers, manufacturers, length and types of pipes for plumbing fixtures, and so on, and meets with group or individual requesting project for final approval of plans and detailed cost estimates.

Prepares a detailed specification for hiring a contractor and purchasing the materials needed to complete the project; utilizes standard specification forms but lists materials and gives specific construction directions for each project; lists the types and amounts of materials and equipment needed, layout of the site locations and dimensions, species of vegetation to be used, model numbers, and so on.

Meets with the contractors to discuss site plans.

Performs daily on site inspections during construction to be sure the contractor is meeting set specifications, work is being performed satisfactorily, the materials being used are of good quality and evaluates structures for safety aspects, supervises surveying and construction procedures, makes on site changes if necessary.

Makes final inspections of the site to be sure the project meets with the specifications, the work performed is of good quality, and approves final payment; contacts the contractor to make adjustments in the site or construction if necessary.

Attends staff meetings, directors meetings, and other meetings as necessary.