Senior Planner (GIS Specialty Not Required)

Performs advanced professional work related to a variety of professional planning assignments in the Development Services Department as required and directed by the Development Services Director. Work is performed with a high degree of independence and includes the ability to effectively apply professional planning methods, policies, procedures, and legal requirements to an array of technical planning assignments. Work is typically performed under the general supervision of the Chief Planner and may be performed in a team led by a Senior Planner.  

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialty: Also performs advanced, professional, technical work involving developing and maintaining geospatial databases and uses GIS to perform spatial analysis, extraction, and map creation.

• Reviews and processes complex development applications with a high level of difficulty for conformance with all City requirements including comprehensive plan amendments, re-zonings, developments of regional impact, notice of proposed change applications, annexations, site plans, plats, abandonments, etc., and presents findings and recommendations to staff, the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council.
• Provides public information; meets with the public; and represents the Department at public meetings, schools, homeowner association meetings and other meetings where City planning and zoning matters are discussed. Manages the processing of complex development applications including meeting with petitioners, working in partnership with petitioners and citizens and acting as liaison between the petitioners and City staff.
• Communicates with project applicants and members of the public throughout the development review process, regarding all aspects of that process and information related to assigned development applications.
• Prepares staff’s comments and recommendations on development applications to the Planning Advisory Review.
• Prepares presentation materials and presents findings and recommendations to the Department, advisory boards, and City Council.
• Prepares and/or updates elements of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Code of Ordinances as directed.
• Independently conducts research and analysis and prepares statistical data on land use, physical, social, and economic issues as assigned.
• Prepares project scopes of services and manages complex planning studies and reviews consultant proposals, recommends selection, and supervises consultant contracts.
• Functions as a Lead Worker and mentors Planners; provides input into the preparation of Planner Annual Performance Appraisal reports.
• Is familiar with the City's Comprehensive Plan and prepares amendments and updates to the Plan.
• Responds to public inquiries for information.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Related tasks:

• Visits proposed development sites and gathers information about on-site field conditions that may impact the analysis of a development application.
• Provides public information; meets with the public; and represents the Department at public meetings, schools, homeowner association meetings and other meetings where City planning and zoning matters are discussed, including development applications.
• Prepares documents, research, technical studies, reports, and presentation materials on variety of planning related topics and applications for the City Council, Planning and Zoning Board and other boards and commissions.
• Conducts research and analysis related to physical, social, and economic issues; and prepares technical studies and reports for the City Council, Planning and Zoning Board, and other boards and commissions.
• Reviews building permits and occupational licenses for conformance to land development regulations as needed.
• Reviews architecture and building design elements for compliance with applicable City requirements as assigned.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS):

• Develops map products for internal and external use and maintains and develops data layers and associated standards and protocols related to data management.
• Maintains and provides revisions to the City's Zoning Map and Future Land Use Map along with the City's Comprehensive Plan Map Series.
• Manages, responds to, and updates Census Bureau and other agency's data and data requests.
• Manages and maintains all types of development related data, including external agency, property, development, and building permit related data and records.
• Provides technical support and training to the Department as directed and advises the Director on systems activities and needs.
• Participates in the administration of the City’s enterprise GIS.

Knowledge of:

• The philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of city planning as they pertain to the design and development of urban and regional areas, planning research, and zoning activities; 
• Growth management legislation and comprehensive planning; 
• Research methodology and of standard statistical procedures; 
• The City Charter and of the various ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to planning and zoning.

Skilled in:

• Communicating planning and zoning related information regarding development application review, text amendments preparation, and regulatory requirement analysis in oral, written and graphic form, including staff reports, public presentations and meetings with external stakeholders.
• The use of spreadsheet and database applications, data query tools, word processing software, electronic mail, and internet search tools.
• Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel) to a high degree of proficiency
• General research methods including ability to perform data research, investigation, and verification
• Modern GIS concepts and analytical techniques including in working with GIS databases and feature layers

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with co-workers, city officials, consultants, civic and business leaders, and the general public.
• Serve the public and interact with fellow employees with honesty, integrity, and respect in line with the City’s values.
• Work a flexible work schedule that includes weekdays, weekends, and evenings, as needed.
• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and responsibilities. 
• Multitask and adapt as needed to shifting priorities while maintaining a high degree of attention to detail.
• Organize and analyze information accurately.
• Create and maintain maps, as well as edit, manage and create feature layers in Arc GIS software and spatial technologies
• Convey GIS/spatial information to non-GIS/technical people through educational training, news articles and other avenues of communication.
• Effectively research, organize and analyze numeric, text and graphic data and information on a variety of planning related topics, then clearly communicate the results of that research and analysis in oral, written, and graphic form. 
• Obtain and retain American Institute of Certified Planners’ AICP designation 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, City officials, community groups, other professionals, and the general public.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning or related field is required.   
• Three (3) years of continuing professional planning experience
• State of Florida Class “E” driver’s license

Additional minimum qualifications for GIS Specialty:

• Two (2) years of professional experience working with GIS software applications, including data analytics and map preparation preferably related to planning, concurrent or in addition to the planning or zoning experience.  
  1. Course work in Geographical Information Systems, Geography, Surveying/Mapping, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field in GIS software applications may substitute for up to one (1) year of experience. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• AICP certification is preferred and must be pursued within two (2) years from the date of hire.
• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, architecture, or related field, or actively enrolled in a master’s degree program in those fields.

Additional experience is accepted as a minimum requirement in lieu of the postsecondary degree on the following basis: additional four (4) years in lieu of the bachelor’s degree, and additional two (2) years in lieu of an associate degree.

Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Education Verification

Salary : $76,294 - $102,679