Senior Planner

Job Title

Job Description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Position Summary: Professional planning work with considerable independence and initiative in comprehensive planning, zoning, land use, transportation, urban design, and site planning. Performs a variety of program and project activities associated with planning and zoning assignments including processing applications for compliance with codes; updating planning, zoning and land use data and maps; reviewing permits and licenses for compliance with city codes and regulations; reviewing development proposals; preparing recommendations to advisory boards and the City Council; conducting studies and generating reports; and collecting and analyzing data for use in various media and in the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (The duties listed are intended to serve as an example of the typical functions performed. They are not exclusive or all inclusive and will vary with assignments.)

• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates permit and development applications for technical compliance with the Zoning Code and Development and Neighborhood Services Department policies.
• Appears before the City Council, Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals, and other City boards to present the Development and Neighborhood Services Department's review of development applications.
• Represents the City, as directed, before other agencies and groups on planning and zoning related matters.
• Researches, completes staff reports and other associated documents, and prepares pictorial and graphic representations for presentations to advisory committees, boards, and the City Council.
• Provides professional assistance and administrative support to the Development Review Committee, and the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals in preparing and reviewing reports on development petitions.
• Performs field inspections of project sites, landscaping and signage.
• Provides information to the general public on planning, zoning, subdivision, and other development related regulations and matters.
• Assists in the review of business tax receipt applications for compliance with Zoning and other City codes.
• Collects data and conducts analysis for development related reports and studies conducted by the Development and Neighborhood Services Department.
• Assists in the periodic review and update of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, and other development-related regulations and recommends changes to the regulations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, techniques, and purposes of City planning.
• Principles, practices, and techniques involved in the development and maintenance of the City Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, and land development regulations.
• Principles and practices of civil and traffic engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture applicable to development applications, site and development plan review, and field inspections.
• State Statutes and local ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to Planning, Zoning and Building.
• Drafting regulations and policies and texts of ordinances.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drafting, and graphic presentation techniques.
• Computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to prepare concise reports and present findings, and make public presentations to the City Council, other agencies and groups clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
• Interpret construction drawings, site plans City ordinances, and regulations, and convey to architects, developers, contractors, engineers, and other land planning professionals as well as to the general public.
• Organize, schedule and establish priorities for assignments.
• Interpret and apply complex rules and regulations.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Plan and organize work assignments and resources to provide timely, effective and efficient operations.
• Prioritize, organize, track and follow-up on details and meet deadlines for multiple projects with varying completion dates.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Work independently on complex assignments.
• Coordinate and supervise tasks and work assignments given to administrative and planning staff as directed by the Department Director or designee.
• Identify issues, generate and evaluate alternate solutions and make sound recommendations.
• Maintain professional and courteous demeanor.
• Maintain high standards for professional and ethical conduct.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public agencies, vendors and the general public.
• Work nights to attend City Council or other agencies and group meetings.
• Follow safety rules and regulations of the Department and the City.
• Support the Department's and City's Mission, Values and Goals.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Geography, Cartography or closely related field.
• Master's degree or completion of advanced level coursework in Planning or related field is desired and may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Four (4) years progressively responsible experience in a planning agency, or any equivalent combination of training, education and experience to meet the minimum requirements.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.