Salt Lake County

Open Space Lands Program Manager - Parks & Recreation

Job Locations US-UT-SALT LAKE CITY
Requisition ID 2026-40546
# of Openings
1
Requisition Post Information* : Posted Date
3 days ago(3/16/2026 4:50 PM)
SLCO Department (Portal Searching)
Parks and Recreation
Location : Location
US-UT-SALT LAKE CITY
Location : Address
SLCO Parks & Recreation
Location : Postal Code
84114
Position Type (Portal Searching)
Regular Full-Time (Merit)
Requisition Post Information* : Post End Date
3/31/2026
Grade
016
Posted Min
70,503.00
Posted Max
105,755.00

Job Description

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

 

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

 

What it is like to work here:

 

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community.  To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

 

Surround yourself with:

 

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live to work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community.  Community is more than a place…. It’s our heart and service that bring us together.

 

We encourage a work life balance:

 

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck.  A career with Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks.  We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year. 

 

Additional Benefits include:

  • Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with 10% contribution
  • Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees
  • Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
  • 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
  • Plus: Onsite medical clinic, hospital insurance, pet insurance auto and home insurance and discounts at County facilities.

 

For Benefits information Click HERE 

To estimate how much your pay and benefits could be worth use our Total Rewards Estimator

 

 

Background Check Information

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

 

JOB SUMMARY

 

Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates open space programs and projects throughout Salt Lake County and manages the County’s stewardship of natural lands. Facilitates responsible, active, and ongoing care of natural, agricultural, or recreational land to ensure its health, resilience, and preservation for future generations.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or other related field, plus five (5) years of experience.

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position.

 

Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

 

  • Prepares and maintains an inventory of County-owned open space and easements held on open space. Collaborates with other Parks & Recreation sections to compile the list in accordance with the ordinance definition.
  • Facilitates annual site assessments with Parks & Recreation sections to identify remediation and maintenance needs at each site.
  • Monitors easements on open space properties; documents violations and coordinates any encroachment remediation if necessary. Provides annual reporting on easements to the landowner.
  • Supervises interns and volunteer events and monitors performance and progress.
  • Administers Open Space Trust Fund programs and urban farming initiatives, including community gardens and refugee farms on County lands. Maintains financial and legal compliance with all programs. Establishes goals and priorities for Open Space acquisition and stewardship.
  • Coordinates with staff and partners on the mitigation of noxious and invasive species and provides Parks Operations staff with information and guidance on plant identification.
  • Facilitates Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) fire mitigation efforts.
  • Provides administrative leadership by evaluating current systems and services to effectively resolve problems, improve public service, and evaluates use of available resources.
  • Participates in the annual budget development for the Open Space Trust Fund, identifying all pertinent expenditures and revenue goals, including operations costs, fees, purchasing open space land, and capital maintenance/improvements.
  • Negotiates and manages contracts, including conservation easements, interlocal agreements with municipalities, specialty consultants, and management agreements in accordance with Agency and County policy and procedures. Works with the District Attorney’s office, Contracts and Procurement, and Real Estate.
  • Develops and maintains positive working relationships with stakeholders and their organizations. Serves as the central source for open space information.
  • Facilitates advisory board meetings, including agendas. Trains new board members in statutory requirements, duties, and responsibilities.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

 

Knowledge of:

 

  • Natural environment and land trust management
  • Conservation easements
  • Trends and issues regarding natural land management
  • Trends and issues facing urban agriculture and noxious weed mitigation
  • Horticulture
  • Fiscal management
  • Time management
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Miscellaneous software programs
  • Trends and issues facing land protection and the environment

 

Skills and Abilities to:

 

  • Planning and organizing several projects, programs and tasks in an effective and timely manner
  • Flexibility with assignments.
  • Manage difficult and stressful situations
  • Work collaboratively with non-profits, other governmental organizations

 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Be able to walk and hike in all weather conditions in varying terrain.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

 

Required to work holidays, nights, and weekends as needed.

Required to travel out of state to attend conferences and speaking engagements.

 

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