Project Assistant (Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field, plus one (1) year of relevant work experience.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Project Assistant position is to provide support to the Site and Architectural Development Divisions by organizing various projects, contract agreements, and programs. The position will assist the Department's capital project delivery staff in various ways, including:

• Coordinating status updates for project-related matters.
• Creating and maintaining project progress monitoring data, including schedules, to track each project.
• Assisting in the planning stages of projects and programs, including the coordination of existing bonds and future Capital Improvement Projects.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as "See Resume" will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting up to fifteen (15) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant's needs and safety issues.

Other:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you will drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• 90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education:

• Major coursework in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working on site and architectural development projects.
• Experience in sustainable design and land development with LEED , SITES , or Envision accreditation.
• Experience developing short-term and long-term plans for Capital Improvement Projects and programs.
• Experience in supporting teams with the planning, coordination, tracking, and execution of Capital Improvement Projects.
• Experience undertaking independent research tasks and special projects related to parkland.
• Experience organizing project files, developing tracking tools, and analyzing/monitoring data for multi-million-dollar programs and projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of engineering and architectural design principles, practices, procedures, scheduling, and estimating techniques.
• Knowledge in working with the City of Austin land development and building codes, regulations, and permitting related to project delivery.
• Ability to produce maps and other representations of geospatial data using geospatial software.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Assists in planning stage of projects, including the coordination of existing bonds and future bond projects.

Assists in planning, scheduling, or coordination of project activities to meet deadlines.

Provides assistance in creation of a communication plan to field staff, including Project Managers and Project Coordinators.

Creates and maintains project progress monitoring data to track each project.

Coordinates status updates for project related matters including providing updates to internal and external customers.

Updates and maintains schedule data to ensure project consistency and optimization.

Assists in resolution of project issues including any potential risks to team members by providing supporting documentation including policies and procedures.

Communicates roles, expectations, and accountabilities to all team members on a regular basis.

Advises management of problems, issues, and status of ongoing projects.

Provides assistance to ensure established project deadlines and related tasks are completed as assigned.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of basic project practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws applicable to bond projects.
• Knowledge of applicable City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of contract development and monitoring.
• Skill in project planning and prioritizing.
• Skill in oral and written format to a variety of audiences.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and available software packages.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.