Why join us? | He aha ngā hua o tō piri mai?

• Make a Difference: Contribute to the development of Palmerston North City while enjoying a fulfilling career that positively impacts our community
• Professional Growth: Elevate your career through a range of Learning and Development opportunities at Palmerston North City Council.
• Benefits: We do more than just pay you a salary too. We have awesome benefits to support you including 5 weeks annual leave and hybrid working.

About the role | Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga

We’re looking for someone to join our passionate Parks team, people who care deeply about making a real difference in our parks, reserves and open spaces.

This role sits within our Infrastructure Group, where you’ll provide strategic planning advice and develop programmes that inform the Parks Asset Management Plan and Long-Term/Annual Plans. Your work will help ensure we deliver the right facilities, in the right places, in a sustainable and cost-effective way.

This is a permanent full-time role, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. While this position is ideally full time, we are open to flexible working arrangements, including reduced hours or a 4-day week, for an experienced candidate who is the right fit for the team  

As a Parks Planner you will be:

• Supporting development of the Parks Asset Management Plan (AMP).
• Leading or contributing to the development and review of Reserve Management Plans (RMPs).
• Investigating proposals for use of reserve land and providing sound advice on legislative and strategic considerations.
• Preparing plans and assessing requests for new assets or asset replacements and identifying appropriate asset and non-asset solutions.
• A problem solver. Resolving a range of parks management issues as they arise.

About you | Ngā kōrero mōu

You’ll enjoy working as part of a collaborative team, bring a sense of fun to your work, and genuinely care about making our parks great places for everyone.

What you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in recreation management, asset management, planning, or a related discipline.
• An understanding of asset management principles.
• Experience in recreation planning, asset management planning, or similar advisory roles.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify risks, opportunities, and service gaps.
• Experience researching and writing reports with option analysis and recommendations.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders.

About us | Ngā kōrero mō mātou

Palmerston North (or as we like to call it, Palmy) is a growing, innovative and exciting city. With small city benefits and big city ambition, Palmy has secured its place on the map as a creative and exciting city, with leading innovation and developments! We’re proud to be a city that includes, supports, connects and uses the talents of the whole community in our pursuit to provide a connected and safe community. We’re also a future-focused city who cares about enhancing our natural and built environment. Our future looks bright, it looks vibrant and progressive. 

What we offer | Te āhua o ā mātou mahi

• Competitive salary between $91,432 and $107,567, plus a 3% Kiwisaver employer contribution (where eligible)
• 5 weeks annual leave and a community service day
• Long service leave after qualifying periods
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Supportive work environment that values work-life balance
• Annual flu vaccinations and subsidised health and eye checks
• Onsite café, staff gym and wellness space
• Study leave, professional memberships, and fees support  
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the future of a vibrant, growing city 

Applications close: 11.00 pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all those suitably qualified for this position.