Principal Planner

Salary: $34.74 - $44.29 Hourly
Location : 17007 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00603
Department: Building & Planning
Division: Building
Opening Date: 07/08/2026


Description
Under general direction, performs advanced and complex professional work in planning and development for the city, including current and/or long-range planning.

Examples of Duties

• Assists in the implementation of department's goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work plan. Develops and ensures that various operating procedures, standards, and guidelines are followed.

• Analyzes and reviews developmental proposals or applications such as annexations, zoning requests, subdivisions, development permits for compliance with appropriate planning principles, regulations and policies, special events, temporary uses, liquor licenses and other similar applications.

• Reviews sandy beach events/applications for weddings and fire pits.

• Assists the Building Division, Code Enforcement, and Business Tax Registration as needed.

• Researches information, formulates recommendations on planning issues, and prepares staff reports related to annexations, large- and small-scale plan amendments, large site developments, conditional uses, rezonings, variances, planned unit developments and other similar applications.

• Attends meetings with applicants, developers and other city departments regarding development requirements to obtain quality projects.

• Prepares technical staff reports and makes presentations to the Planning Board, Tree Board, and to the City Council or Examining Board as directed.

• Oversees and processes all development order, large site development, planned unit development, signage, land clearing/demolition, fence permits and similar permits.

• Prepares a variety of regular and special reports; prepares correspondence related to planning issues and projects.

• May utilize GIS to produce maps. Serves as liaison between the city and Bay County GIS personnel to update the city's zoning maps, future land use map, etc.

• Assists city staff, developers, architects, and the general public in the interpretation and implementation of the city's Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.

• Facilitates resolutions to conflicting views on projects.

• Conducts site visits and field inspections of development projects to verify compliance with codes and approved permits.

• Participates in regional planning efforts and researches local, regional, and national planning issues.

• Reviews Building permit applications for compliance with Planning related requirements.

• Prepares maps and information for CRS (Community Rating System) updates.

• Supervises the Planning Administrative Support Specialist position, reviews associated applications, and assists as needed during the Specialist's absences.

• May research and advise department on use of federal programs and funds.

• May conduct physical and socioeconomic surveys.

• May train and provide guidance to less experienced planning staff.

• May need to make presentations to the Citizen's Academy, local groups, and organizations.

• May serve in acting capacity during director's absences.

• Performs related duties.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred.
• Four years' progressively responsible professional planning experience.

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Florida for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

• Possession of or the ability to obtain an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification within two years of employment.

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of current and long-range municipal planning.

• Knowledge of comprehensive plans and master plans.

• Knowledge of the land development process.

• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.

• Knowledge of city codes, zoning regulations, and subdivision ordinances.

• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city ordinances, and department goals, policies and procedures.

• Skill in performing advanced current and/or long-range planning functions.

• Skill in preparing comprehensive plans, master plans and area plans; and in developing planning policy and program proposals.

• Skill in preparing clear and precise reports.

• Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying codes and ordinances.

• Skill in conducting productive meetings with developers, land use planners, architects and the public.

• Skill in reading plans, maps, charts, and surveys.

• Skill in interpreting architectural/engineering plans.

• Skill in problem solving, including researching and analyzing planning issues, and developing strategies to address them.

• Skill in prioritizing and planning.

• Skill in interpersonal relations.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Ability to appropriately review and analyze development proposals and applications including annexations, zoning requests, subdivisions, and development permits.

• Ability to research and define code requirements pertinent to development applications.

• Ability to assist developers, architects, land planners, and the public with the development process, zoning issues, and planning matters.

• Ability to formulate sound recommendations regarding planning issues and development cases.

• Ability to facilitate and negotiate resolution to complex planning issues.

• Ability to exercise considerable independence and initiative.

• Ability to train and mentor employees.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, other agencies, developers, contractors and community members.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Planning and Building Director assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.
GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the Land Development Code, the comprehensive plan, city ordinances, and city and department and policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied professional planning duties. The unique nature of each case in question contributes to the complexity of the position.

• The purpose of this position is to participate in the development and implementation of city comprehensive plans and development codes. Success in this position contributes to the positive growth and development of the city.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with coworkers, other city employees, contractors, attorneys, civil engineers, surveyors, architects, real estate professionals, and members of the general public.

• Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, motivate persons, and provide services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, lift, finger, grasp, feel talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. The position is considered mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The employee is also required to perform light lifting. The employee is required to have close visual acuity, and will be subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The position supervises the Planning Administrative Support Specialist position.
**These are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
PTO Leave : Leave begins accruing immediately. The schedule varies slighter for Fire Fighters.


Years Of Service Completed Annual Leave Cap Available
less than 5 years: 152 hours
5 to 9 years: 176 hours
10 to 14 years: 200 hours
15 to 19 years: 224 hours
20 + years: 248 hours


PTO begins accruing immediately. At the end of the year, any unused annual leave will roll over to the next year. Time will be accrued bi-weekly and shown on each paycheck.

RETIREMENT: General employees are fully vested after 10 years of employment. Employees can become partially vested at five (5) years of service. Partial vesting at five (5) years is 50%, six (6) years 60%, seven (7) years 70%, eight (8) years 80%, and nine (9) years 90%. General Employees are eligible for normal retirement upon the earlier of reaching age 55 and the completion of 10 years of credited service or reaching age 50 and the completion of 20 years of credited service. The amount of normal retirement benefit is based on your credited service and average final compensation. See General Employees' Pension Plan Summary for more details.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive 14 holidays per year. The holidays are:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Eve
• Employee's Birthday

INSURANCE:* Florida Blue Health, Humana Dental & Securian Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D Insurance premiums are paid in full by the City for the Employee . Florida Blue Tiered Family Coverage available but paid by Employee via paycheck. (Blue Option LG Plan 03559 Spouse only $621/month; Child/Children $531/month; and Family $1,188/month) (Blue Option LG Plan HDHP Spouse only $280/month; Child/Children $244/month; and Family $535/month).

Spouse Dental Coverage only $34.85/month; Child/Children $49.31/month; Family Dental Coverage $87.48/month. Vision Coverage available: Employee only: $5.24/month; Spouse only $10.50/month; Child/Children $9.97/month; and Family $15.67/month). Both are covered by Humana. The City also offers a suite of Allstate Worksite products available for purchase.

Note: Insurance coverage takes effect on the 1st of the month following your hire date.


*Rough estimates are not necessarily exact.
457 Plan Empower Retirement: Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan - See Human Resources for more details.