Principal Planner

Job Title

This position performs advanced professional and managerial work of considerable difficulty related to community planning, redevelopment, and urban design.

This position is responsible for leading major planning initiatives, supervising staff within the Planning and Zoning Division, and providing technical expertise in land use, urban design, community development, and economic revitalization.

This position exercises independent judgment in the application of advanced planning principles, practices, and techniques to complex projects and programs. The position requires extensive collaboration with City management, elected officials, community organizations, developers, consultants, and the public to ensure that development activities align with the City's vision, Comprehensive Plan, and Land Development Regulations.

Supervision is received under the direction of the Director of Development Services. May provide direct oversight and leadership to the planning and zoning staff.

Essential Duties

• Directs and manages the operations and staff of the Planning and Zoning Division, including professional planners and administrative personnel.
• Coordinates, reviews, and evaluates the preparation of comprehensive planning studies, special planning projects, redevelopment strategies, and neighborhood improvement plans.
• Prepares, updates, and implements the City's Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and design standards.
• Conducts and supervises complex technical research on land use, demographics, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
• Oversees preparation of maps, charts, reports, and visual aids for presentation to advisory boards, the Planning and Zoning Board, City Commission, and public forums.
• Reviews and analyzes site plans, rezoning requests, development proposals, and amendments for consistency with local, state, and regional policies.
• Prepares and delivers professional staff reports and presentations before elected and appointed bodies.
• Serves as liaison to the public, community groups, and intergovernmental agencies regarding planning and development matters.
• Provides staff support to Planning and Zoning and Historic Preservations Boards.
• Collaborates with the City's Business Specialist, Economic Development Manager, and the Community Redevelopment Agency to ensure coordination of economic development and revitalization efforts.
• Administers and monitors grants and programs related to community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood improvement programs.
• Provides training, mentorship, and performance evaluations for planning staff and supports the professional development of the team.
• Represents the Department in meetings, workshops, and conferences; stays informed of legislative and regulatory changes affecting urban planning.
• Oversees the department in the absence of the Development Services Director.
• Assists with preparation of the department budget and monitors expenditures.
• Provides recommendations on departmental policies, procedures, and operational improvements.
• Participates in interdepartmental coordination to ensure integrated planning and development review processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university, Master's degree in Planning or related field, preferred.

• Must possess at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban or community planning.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver's License.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, preferred.
• Two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity, preferred.
• Municipal government experience, preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced principles, practices, and techniques of urban planning, community redevelopment, land use, and zoning.
• Federal, state, and local regulations governing planning, zoning, and community development.
• Socio-economic research methods, data analysis, and GIS applications.
• Principles of management, supervision, and public administration.
• Public presentation techniques and methods for effective public engagement.
• Managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Preparing clear, concise, and well-organized reports and presentations.
• Using planning software, GIS, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Exercising professional judgment and maintaining confidentiality in sensitive matters.
• Interpret and apply complex planning and zoning regulations.
• Analyze data and prepare accurate, comprehensive planning studies.
• Communicate effectively with staff, officials, and the public both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supervise and mentor professional staff and foster a collaborative team environment.

Miscellaneous Information & Special Requirements

Assigned computer, including industry specific software, Microsoft Office software; phone; and copiers. This position performs work where the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms, or sustained keyboard operations. The employee is occasionally required to climbing as high as needed to inspect the work, within the bounds of safe access methods and equipment, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking and standing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances. The City of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Lauderdale Lakes will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.