SUMMARY: The Bentonville Parks and Recreation is seeking a leader to fill an immediate vacancy for a Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner. The Department is seeking an individual who shares our commitment to enriching lives though recreation, leisure and culture. The future incumbent will be responsible for managing the City’s comprehensive trails program, which includes implementing city master plans including, but not limited to: the Connect Bentonville Plan, the Master Street Plan and the Play Bentonville Master Plan; grant writing and grant management, long-range trail planning, trail design, trail construction, and trail standards. Essential to the position is the collaboration and coordination with other City departments, County and regional agencies, community groups and various stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational
requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are
essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.
Manage all aspects of the City’s trail program by providing complete design, engineering, plan development, construction oversight, project management, material procurement, scheduling, permitting compliance and budgeting for contracted projects including but not limited to trails, protected bike lanes, shared lane markings, signage, bicycle and micro mobility parking facilities, crosswalks and signals. This includes procurement of design engineers, scheduling, budgeting, design review, bidding and construction project management to ensure the projects are designed and constructed on time and on budget to the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for people of all ages and all abilities.
Assist in the development and implementation of the citywide bicycle and pedestrian program using best practices and national guidance to ensure facilities are designed and constructed for the health, safety and welfare for people of all ages and all abilities according to the objectives in the Connect Bentonville Plan. Other plans of significance include the Play Bentonville Plan and the Bentonville Master Street Plan.
Coordinate with local foundations, community partners and related stakeholders groups. Manage and distribute relevant communication and updates regarding; land acquisitions, project planning, project design, schedules, construction and funding.
Prepare and manage trail program budget items based on the Departmental and grant funding for future trail projects and maintenance needs each year. Serve as the Active Transportation Coordinator for the City. Manage the implementation of the adopted Transportation Plans as necessary.
Develop and Manage a Community Micro-mobility Program, determined by City Ordinance and includes bike / scooter share programs and encourages moving people in modes other than a vehicle.
Prioritize trail construction and develop the five-year trail construction plan based on the Connect Bentonville Plan,
Prepare and present City Council agenda items. Position will also work closely with Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission and multiple staff committees focused on improving City infrastructure.
Pursue and manage federal, state and private grant projects from start to finish, including applications, reporting, preparing bid plan sets, specifications, construction management and close out documentation as required by the grantor. Grant opportunities include the federally funded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and local Foundations.
Manage the acquisition of right of way and easement for trail projects. Negotiate with property owners and direct the land agents/surveyors in preparation of legal documents.
Acquire permits from state and federal agencies including FEMA, United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as necessary for trails projects. Develop plans, documents, reports and other information as required for approval of permits.
Coordinate with local utility companies for relocations associated with trail projects and negotiate the reimbursement amounts for the cost of utility relocations if necessary.
Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and implement the best practices outlined for all trail and on-street bicycle projects.
Receive and administer trail maintenance requests from the citizens, determine the necessary solution and coordinate with the responsible City departments for resolution. Manage the design and implementation of scheduled trail maintenance inspections and repair of items including bridges, railings, trail pavement and lighting.
Coordinate regular active transportation meetings with City Transportation, Engineering and Parks and Recreation Department and other departments as needed. Prepare, promote and distribute agenda items and content.
Review development plans to identify and oversee the dedication of property and the construction of trails associated with private developments including presentations to the Planning Commission as necessary to continue the implementation of trail plans.
Stay abreast of current trends and new technologies and practices in the field of alternative transportation.
Serve as the Mayor’s designated representative on the Razorback Greenway Alliance to provide consistent guidance for the operations and management of the Razorback Greenway.
Participate and help guide policy in regional and state trails groups and meetings to ensure coordination between the City’s master plans, construction programs, those of other regional cities and of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Promote the trail program through presentations to citizen groups and boards, bike to work week promotion events and community trail tours.
Perform supervisory responsibilities which may include interviewing, hiring and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws.
Supervise the development of citywide bicycle, pedestrian and Micro-mobility educational and encouragement efforts by using social media and conducting public presentations to inform and educate motorists, bicyclists, Micro-mobility users and pedestrians of the energy savings, monetary savings, health benefits, and best practices associated with safety of walking and bicycling for transportation.
Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Occasionally supervises and organizes the activities of volunteers, and Parks & Recreation personnel.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or civil engineering from accredited college or university; and a minimum of 2 + years of experience in the project management of soft and hard surface trails, active transportation and trails and pedestrian circulation planning. Demonstrated knowledge of various types of trail construction materials and methods, storm water management, plant materials, horticultural practices and plant associations. Also a demonstrated knowledge of industry standards as well as innovative technologies (trail erosion control, native plant revegetation, signage and wayfinding, trail construction materials, sustainability etc.) ideologies, practices and methodologies. Is proficient in use of information systems technologies, such as ArcGIS, AutoCad, Adobe Photoshop, word processing, spreadsheet development, virtual and in person presentations.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Also possesses an Arkansas Landscape Architecture License or Professional Engineer’s licenses; or have the ability to receive Arkansas licensure within 2 years of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; hop; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and ride a traditional bicycle. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
HEALTH BENEFITS
The City of Bentonville is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week. This year’s benefits package can be viewed here: https://www.bentonvillear.com/DocumentCenter/View/11449/City-of-Bentonville-Benefit-Guide-2023
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to a variety outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet.
The City of Bentonville is committed to providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political status, disability status, or genetic information, as required by all federal and state laws. The City’s commitment extends to all employment related decisions, terms and conditions of employment (including job opportunities), promotions, pay and benefits.