The City of Lake Worth Beach invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Principal Planner.

Closing: Open Until Filled

This is a Full-Time, Exempt position based on a 40-hour work week with a salary range of $74,876 - $93,595. This position is part of the Public Employees Union (PEU) collective bargaining agreement. The individual in this position will work in the Community Sustainability Department located at 1900 2nd Avenue North, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461.

In addition, this position offers:

• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City of Lake Worth Beach Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage
• Retirement Plan

SUMMARY:

Performs advanced planning and zoning activities for the City of Lake Worth Beach (COLWB). Administers the zoning code, comprehensive plan, and land development regulations for the City of Lake Worth Beach (COLWB). Assists with developing and updating the City’s design guidelines, comprehensive and neighborhood plans, and land development regulations. Coordinates and approves staff reports, recommendations and presentations to the City Commission, boards, community groups, and the public.

Work is performed under general direction with considerable latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Position develops solutions to non-routine issues, without appreciable guidance from others and exercises latitude in determining best approaches to critical assignments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform related work as required.

• Manages the work of, coordinates, provides guidance to, and reviews the work of individual contributors to accomplish operational plans and results
• Meets with private developers, architects, engineers, attorneys, and contractors to review and discuss the feasibility of proposed projects and to provide technical guidance regarding the City’s land development code, comprehensive plan, and urban design
• Coordinates with applicants, other departments, consultants, and agencies related to development review and the planning process
• Provides explanations and code interpretation to employees and the general public on zoning and building permit reviews
• Reviews applications, architectural plans, and required documents; processes other types of land use applications, such as, rezoning, variances or code amendments
• Prepares draft ordinances and resolutions related to the processing of land development applications or proposed code amendments for review by City leaders
• Monitors all major development agreements for compliance with agreed to conditions as finalized by the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB), Historic Resources & Preservation Board (HRPB), City Commission, and City Manager
• Meets with technical and design experts and consultants to exchange information regarding planning issues, policies, and potential development alternatives
• Prepares reports, makes recommendations, and gives presentations to boards, City leadership, and the public
• Prepares legal notices and ensures compliance with code mandated noticing requirements for land use applications
• Conducts field inspections of major development projects after construction to ensure compliance with approved plans, conditions of approval and all development agreement approved conditions
• Reviews and approves building permits of major development projects for compliance with zoning provisions of land development regulations, City Commission conditions of approval, and development agreement requirements

• Other duties as assigned related to the overall mission of the Department for Community Sustainability.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Assists in implementing the stormwater management program as related to roadway and surface level components.
• Operate city vehicles such as front-end loader, dump truck and combination vehicles.
• Assists with maintenance and repair work of the City’s surface level stormwater components consisting of roadways, alleys, right of ways and other structures.
• Assists with the inspection of stormwater system structural components consisting of curb, gutters and other surface level stormwater components.
• Ability to prepare detailed records and reports.
• Ability to present ideas effectively in oral and written form.
• General knowledge of standard practices, materials, tools, and equipment utilized in the area of assigned work.
• General knowledge of work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with assigned area of work.
• Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) setup, takedown, and maintenance.
• Roadway pavement and base repairs.
• Concrete sidewalk, driveway apron, and curbing construction and demolition.
• Alleyway grading and repair work.
• Miscellaneous roadway work as applicable.

• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local planning, zoning, and land use regulations, standards, and requirements governing the work
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques utilized in municipal zoning, planning, and land development planning
• Advanced knowledge of department policies and procedures for the preparation, production and maintenance of reports, documentation and records
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required
• Skill in photography, research, and technical analysis of planning-related information and documents
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Skill in measuring and performing mathematical computations applicable to the work
• Skill in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands and ability to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to provide exceptional internal and external customer service
• Ability to make effective public presentations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met
• Ability to make sound assessments and recommendations based on research
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program related laws and regulations and establish necessary work processes and procedures
• Ability to use reasoning skills that minimize duplication of efforts, including but not limited to comparing, classifying, analyzing and coordinating
• Ability to analyze and/or prepare complex reports and contract documents
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule
• Ability to attend meetings outside of standard business hours

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, or a closely related field; supplemented by seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible municipal planning experience; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience. A master’s degree in a directly related field and at least five (5) years of administering a municipal planning program is preferred.

A valid Florida driver license is required.

Certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP Certification) is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort usually involving some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking or standing. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/ walking.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

All full-time employees are considered critical in response to emergency situations and may be deemed essential as needed depending on the situation.

Employees in this position will be required to complete the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Certification Levels 100,200,700 and 800 within the first six months of employment. Certain positions may be required to attain additional ICS training as needed.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Lake Worth Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Lake Worth Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.