<P> Scott first appeared in Parks and Recreation starting in the penultimate second - season episode , `` The Master Plan '' , the same episode Rob Lowe joined the regular cast as Chris Traeger . The idea of a character trying to rebuild a government career following a humiliating public failure was one of the original ideas for the protagonist of Parks and Recreation . The idea was ultimately abandoned in favor of Leslie Knope 's character , but those early ideas were ultimately incorporated into Ben Wyatt . Ben 's role as a state auditor , and Pawnee 's subsequent budget problems , were conceived from global economic crisis and news reports about government services getting shut down around the country . Scott described his character as `` someone who jumped in on a moving train '' in trying to integrate with the other characters . Ben was expected to become a love interest for Leslie Knope from his earliest conception . In addition to the growing relationship between Leslie and Ben , one of the biggest story arcs for season three was Ben 's growing love of the city of Pawnee , which coincided with his romantic feelings for Leslie . Schur described Ben 's character as one who never had a firm sense of home due to the excessive amount of traveling with his job , but who gradually grew to appreciate Pawnee due to the optimism and enthusiasm Leslie has for her job . </P>
<P> Scott first appeared in Parks and Recreation starting in the penultimate second - season episode , `` The Master Plan '' , the same episode Rob Lowe joined the regular cast as Chris Traeger . The idea of a character trying to rebuild a government career following a humiliating public failure was one of the original ideas for the protagonist of Parks and Recreation . The idea was ultimately abandoned in favor of Leslie Knope 's character , but those early ideas were ultimately incorporated into Ben Wyatt . Ben 's role as a state auditor , and Pawnee 's subsequent budget problems , were conceived from global economic crisis and news reports about government services getting shut down around the country . Scott described his character as `` someone who jumped in on a moving train '' in trying to integrate with the other characters . Ben was expected to become a love interest for Leslie Knope from his earliest conception . In addition to the growing relationship between Leslie and Ben , one of the biggest story arcs for season three was Ben 's growing love of the city of Pawnee , which coincided with his romantic feelings for Leslie . Schur described Ben 's character as one who never had a firm sense of home due to the excessive amount of traveling with his job , but who gradually grew to appreciate Pawnee due to the optimism and enthusiasm Leslie has for her job . </P>
when is ben introduced in parks and rec
when is ben introduced in parks and rec
in the penultimate second - season episode , `` The Master Plan ''
in the penultimate second - season episode , `` The Master Plan ''