Planning and Land Acquisition Manager

Salary: $68,640.00 - $102,960.00 Annually
Location : Metro Parks Headquarters, 1069 W. Main St., Westerville, 43081, OH
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: MP06
Department: Design
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Purpose

Serves as a key administrative leader responsible for directing strategic planning, capital improvement projects, and land acquisition initiatives for Metro Parks. This position oversees the land acquisition budget, leads multi-agency and regional planning partnerships, manages complex real estate transactions from evaluation through closing, and supports executive leadership and the Board of Park Commissioners in advancing long-term district growth and environmental sustainability.
Examples of Duties
Administration

• Assists the Executive Director with the overall direction and coordination of Metro Parks planning and land acquisition.
• Establishes and manages the land acquisition budget, by overseeing invoices, expenditures, and related financial activities.
• Assists with the development and management of the capital improvement budget.
• Coordinates departmental initiatives, strategies, and workflows across Metro Parks leadership, staff, and departments.
• Serves as project manager for specialized initiatives and strategic assignments assigned by the Executive Director.
• Serves as a primary liaison with public agencies, professional organizations, utility companies, community groups, and key stakeholders on Metro Parks land acquisitions initiatives.
• Represents Metro Parks at stakeholder meetings, public forums, and community events.

Strategic Planning

• Collaborates with the Executive Director and leadership team to formulate and implement long-range strategic goals, policies, and land acquisition priorities.
• Develops and coordinates comprehensive planning studies, including park master plans, greenway plans, and park development initiatives.
• Leads Metro Parks' participation in regional planning efforts, including the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Central Ohio Greenways and local community comprehensive plans.
• Coordinates planning initiatives across internal staff, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), outside agencies, consultants, contractors, and community partners.
• Assists with planning, strategic communications, and long-term funding initiatives to support sustainable district growth.
• Prepares and delivers reports, presentations, and policy recommendations for executive leadership and the Board of Park Commissioners.
• Prepares grant applications, submits competitive funding requests, tracks awarded grants, and completes required reporting for planning, land acquisition, and development projects.

Land Acquisition

• Implements the District's land acquisition program and strategy in alignment with Metro Parks' strategic plan and organizational goals.
• Evaluates potential real estate acquisitions from initial property review through closing, formulating clear purchase recommendations for executive leadership.
• Manages property due diligence processes, including research, site surveys, environmental assessments, appraisals, title work, and property tax filings.
• Prepares, negotiates, and executes purchase agreements, leases, easements, rights-of-entry, and related real estate legal documentation.
• Serves as primary point of contact with landowners, real estate brokers, attorneys, title companies, zoning officials, and public agencies during land transactions.
• Develops maps, graphics, and decision-support materials to evaluate property opportunities.
• Prepares closing documentation, secures resolutions and purchase orders, handles escrow requirements, and represents Metro Parks at property closings.
• Reviews and approves property tax statements, acquisition-related invoices, and real estate expenditures.
• Maintains accurate, organized departmental records, property databases, deeds, maps, and land acquisition files.
• Performs special projects and related duties as required or assigned.

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.
Qualifications

Education/Experience: Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in City and Regional Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Geographic Information Systems, Natural Resources Management, or closely related field. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in city and regional planning, park planning, landscape architecture, capital project development, land acquisition, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. Knowledge of applicable sections of the Ohio Revised Code, real estate, zoning laws, and contract law required.

Attendance: Being present at work is an essential function of the position.

Team-Oriented: Works on a team. Outstanding customer service, communications and interpersonal skills.

Language Skills: Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with visitors and members of the public, other management staff, employees throughout the park district, contractors, zoning officials, planning and design professionals, community/citizens groups, and officials from various public agencies; ability to explain technical information in everyday language which non-technical people can understand. Ability to make presentations. Communication occurs daily.

Computer/Software Skills: Demonstrated experience using computers, web-based programs, email, social media venues, and Microsoft Office products. Skill with Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) systems and Geographic Information Systems

Mathematical Skills: Ability to deal with non-verbal symbols in formulas, equations or graphs; ability to prepare meaningful, concise, and accurate reports; ability to calculate fractions, decimals, percentages; ability to recognize errors and make corrections. Advanced mathematics.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and develop appropriate recommendations to resolve identified problems; ability to proofread technical materials, recognize errors and make corrections; ability to gather, collate and classify information about data, people, and things. Ability to design and produce concise and accurate reports that provide management with meaningful data for decision-making. Ability to understand broad organizational objectives and provide sophisticated supporting financial data.

Licenses, Registrations: Possession of a valid Ohio Driver License, insurable by the Metro Park's insurance carrier, and ability to conform to the driving standards policy as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to survey, prepare drawings, sketches, and models and use instruments utilized in such preparation. Employee is required to use computer, calculator, prepare reports, file paperwork, etc.

Work Environment: While performing the regular duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. The employee is frequently required to travel to parks throughout the District.

Any Additional Information: Ability to establish effective working relationships with coworkers, other professionals, and the general public. Make situation better.
Other Information

The above Description represents the essential and most significant duties of this position. It is not intended to exclude other work duties, assignments and responsibilities not mentioned herein.

Full-time benefits include:

Medical
Dental
Vision
EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, Children
Vacation Leave
Personal Leave
Sick Leave
Bereavement Leave
8 Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Uniforms for specified positions
Agency paid training & conferences
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Deferred Compensation Programs
01

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a valid Ohio Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have 6 or more points on your Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
• Will Explain in Interview

04

I acknowledge that this position may work outside in a variety of weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures, rain, and exposure to ticks, other insects, and poison ivy.

• Yes
• No

05

I acknowledge that if I am selected and conditionally offered this position I must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test and a criminal record check to be appointed to this position.

• Yes
• No

06

This position will usually require a minimum of 40 hours per week with a Monday through Friday work schedule. Are you able to work this schedule?

• Yes
• No

Required Question