The City of Newberry is excited to announce the rare opportunity to join our planning team. We’re looking for a strategic problem-solver who has a passion for public service, expertise in community development, and an aptitude for building relationships to join our team as a planner! This entry-level professional position will perform both current planning duties and some long-range planning and administrative duties. This position will play a key role in ensuring Newberry stays a top-rated city by its residents in regard to livability. Interested? Excited? Check out the essential functions below and consider applying for this fantastic opportunity!

NATURE OF WORK

Entry-level professional and technical planning work assisting in the City’s planning program. Typical tasks include researching and responding to public inquiries, presenting staff reports to the Planning and Zoning Board, Historic Architectural Review Board, and City Commission, assisting with code interpretation, processing land use applications and reviewing permits, writing land-use decisions, gathering, researching, and analyzing data and developing written reports on assigned long-range projects. A bachelor's degree or a master's degree is required. Involves professional-level duties and judgment. This position level receives considerable immediate supervision from senior planners.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs, and regulations
• Reviews or assists in the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations
• Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals to government bodies
• Collects a variety of statistical data and prepare reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rates
• Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of rezonings, ordinance amendments, site plans, special use permits, variances, and other proposals
• Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials in developing neighborhood plans
• Coordinates community review of public and private development projects
• Provides information to the public regarding development regulations
• Often works closely with the public to provide customer service on planning issues
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues
• Oversees the work of consultants and interns
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments
• Prepares public notices and property owner verifications
• Prepares maps, charts, tables of limited complexity
• Attends substantial number of evening and occasional weekend meetings
• Performs some routine administrative tasks
• Complies with Florida’s Public Records and Retention Laws and Rules

TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of public planning
• Knowledge of a relevant specialization such as land use/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation, or economic development is a plus
• Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, including Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and database management
• Familiarity with GIS programs and applications

TYPICAL SKILLS

• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public
• Must possess and exemplify a customer service attitude
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve practical problems and address citizen inquiries and concerns
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions
• Ability to create graphic designs, development strategies, and render site plans via sketches and/or computer graphics is highly desirable.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Ability to work effectively with coworkers and the general public.
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At a minimum, requires a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or related area of study, from an accredited four-year college or university or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check, and MVR check.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver’s License.

Environmental Factors & Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Work is generally performed in an office and on-site as required to conduct field inspections, to review subdivision and development plans, observe progress and address issues.
• May be subject to exposure to heavy equipment common to construction sites.
• May be exposed to hostile or angry citizens and/or developers.
• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with the whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work Environment:
Work performed is primarily light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up-to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
Equipment and Tools Utilized:
Equipment utilized includes a personal computer, copier, calculator, scanner, ruler, engineering and architect scales, and department vehicle.