Planner II or III - Development Review

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Clearwater, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00036
Department: Planning & Development
Division: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Opening Date: 10/24/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


THE CITY OF CLEARWATER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship. City of Clearwater will not sponsor employment visas (e.g., H-1B, or any other work authorization status).

Position Description
TARGET ENTRY SALARY:
PLANNER II: $71,912 - $86,000 DOQ
PLANNER III: $79,283 - $94,000 DOQ

POSITIONS OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Under general direction, the Planner II or III performs mid-level professional work in long range planning or development review (current land planning) in connection with the administration of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code, and implementation of City planning projects and programs.
Current recruitment is in our Development Review Division.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions : -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides mid-level professional planning work in a variety of capacities, depending on Division, related to the use of land in the City, including development review, site plan approval, signage, landscape review, zoning, land use, subdivision and development permitting, and comprehensive planning.
• Provides professional customer service and technical assistance to the general public, design professionals, and other City departments via emails, phone calls, online meetings, and in person (walk-in or by appointment).
• Communicates the City's land development regulations clearly and concisely.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and public hearings relating to planning.
• Reviews plans and provides feedback and expertise on planning; assists applicants, owners, and others through the applicable application process; disseminates information and communicates extensively throughout the process of planning and development.
• Prepares comprehensive staff reports; analyzes and makes recommendations regarding applications; presents findings to the Community Development Board and/or City Council.
• Conducts research and analysis and prepares reports on moderately complex planning issues.
• Makes recommendations for potential changes to the Community Development Code or other governing plans and prepares amendments as needed.
• Conducts site visits and field studies.
• Participates in various countywide work groups.
• Assists with and may lead community engagement.
• Attends occasional evening and weekend meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Development Review - PLANNER II:

• Processes, reviews, and provides follow-up on a wide variety of permits and development applications, including site plans, business tax receipts, temporary uses, docks, fences, landscape plans, signs, plats, and lot splits.
• Reviews and analyzes planning applications and projects (site plans, architectural elevations, civil and landscape plans) for consistency with all applicable adopted plans, codes and standards.
• Prepares staff reports and presents expert testimony for quasi-judicial hearings.

Development Review - PLANNER III:

• Processes, reviews and provides follow up on a wide variety of permits and complex development applications.
• Reviews and analyzes planning applications and projects for consistency with all applicable adopted plans, codes and standards; identifies any issues and utilizes independent judgment to make recommendations regarding approval and potential resolutions.
• Prepares staff reports and presents expert testimony for quasi-judicial hearings.

Minimum Qualifications
Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
A valid State driver's license is required.


AICP certification, CNU accreditation, and/or similar is preferred, but not required.
Education and Experience:
PLANNER II:

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field AND three (3) years of experience in development services, planning, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

PLANNER III:
Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field AND five (5) years of experience in development services, planning, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
NOTE: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship. City of Clearwater will not sponsor employment visas (e.g., H-1B, or any other work authorization status).

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of -

• Principles and practices of city planning
• Form based and performance-based codes, and familiarity with new urbanism principles
• Practices related to community outreach and engagement
• Project management
• Report development and presentation
• General office policies and procedures
• Computers and general office equipment

Skill in -

• Reading and reviewing site plan documents, including surveys, civil and architectural drawings, and landscape plans and recommending changes and updates
• Analyzing data and applying information to zoning, urban design, and other planning activities
• Monitoring permitting and application statuses
• Meeting schedules and timelines
• Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, with public speaking and presentation skills
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• Operating a computer and related software including Microsoft Office 365; experience with SharePoint and GIS preferred

FULL TIME EMPLOYEES ONLY RECEIVE:
Health and Wellness initiatives • 100% employee health care coverage • Option for dependent health care • Life Insurance • Optional Dental, Vision, AFLAC • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Retirement -General Employee Pension Plan • Voluntary Tax-deferred 457 Plan • Paid holiday, vacation, sick leave plans • Competitive Salaries • Tuition assistance • Training and development opportunities • Travel compensation • Military leave • Bereavement leave • Discount coupons • Service and employee recognition awards
PART TIME EMPLOYEES ONLY RECEIVE:
Paid holiday, vacation, sick leave plans • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Competitive hourly rates • Flexible schedules • Training and development opportunities • Discount coupons • Service and employee recognition awards

SEASONAL, VARIABLE, TEMPORARY, EMERGENCY EMPLOYEES RECEIVE NO BENEFITS.
01


What is your highest level of education?

• Masters Degree or higher
• Bachelors Degree
• Associates Degree
• High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• Completion of 10th grade
• Less than 10th grade education

02


What level of Driver's License do you currently possess?

• CDL A
• CDL B
• Regular (E)
• ID Only
• Out of State
• None of the above

03


How many years of experience do you have in development services, planning or a related field?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1-3 years' experience
• 3-5 years' experience
• 5-6 years' experience
• 6-8 years' experience
• 8 or more years' experience

04


Do you have the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or CNU accreditation?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

06


Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?"

• Yes
• No

Required Question