PRESERVATION PLANNER

In addition, this position offers:

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

 JOB SUMMARY:

Performs complex work related to historic preservation requests and research for the City of Lake Worth Beach (COLWB). Work involves research and analysis for the Historic Preservation Division; participates in the process for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA), Land Development Regulations, and other matters pertaining to the City’s historic districts. Work involves preparing reports and presenting recommendations to City officials and various external groups, individuals, and agencies. 

Work is performed independently under general supervision with moderate latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Position typically requires processing and interpreting of less clearly defined issues, including but not limited to historic architectural design review criteria. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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.

The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment in relation to the position.

PRESERVATION

• Reviews and analyzes historic preservation requests; participates in the development review process and the analysis of development petitions and plans within the City’s historic districts
• Collects and analyzes data, conducts site visits when necessary, and assists other planners with special projects as assigned
• Responds to the public and City employees for issues related to historic preservation and provides technical guidance in response to historic preservation inquiries
• Reviews building permit applications for properties located within a designated historic district or listed as a historic site on the Lake Worth Beach Register of Historic Places 
• Reviews demolition permit applications and requests per Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Prepares nominations for a structure to be designated as a historic site 
• Maintains and interprets the City’s Historic Preservation Guidelines for Rehabilitation and participates in preservation related code compliance efforts
• Assists in the process of acquiring grant funding for implementation of historic preservation programs 
• Assists with the administration of the street signage for historic districts and historic plaque programs
• Assists with and/or makes recommendations for amendments to Historic Preservation Ordinance as assigned
• Develops public education programs to preserve the City’s historic resources and to foster awareness of these resources

GENERAL / CURRENT PLANNING

• Assists with the comprehensive historic preservation, planning, zoning, development and revision process in departmental area of assignment
• Provides analysis of requests for Certificates of Appropriateness and applies the City’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, Historic Educational Guidelines, Major Thoroughfare Design Guidelines and Historic Preservation Ordinance as appropriate.
• Analyzes development data and plans and prepares recommendations on development related requests in departmental area of assignment 
• Prepares, provides, and/or presents analysis and recommendations to the City’s Historic Resources Preservation Board on the following items, dependent on area of assignment: requests for rezoning, major land subdivisions, conditional land use, developments of significant impact, amendments to planned developments and level I site plan approvals, and requests to modify structures or uses of properties located in a designated historic district or listed as an individual site in the Lake Worth Register of Historic Places 
• Prepares planning reports, documents, and agendas for City officials, boards, committees, and other agencies and organizations, monitors and assists with the management of the Historic Resources Preservation Board as necessary.
• Prepares and/or assists with drafting code amendments, mapping and GIS analysis, and graphic presentations specific to area of assignment 
• Performs fieldwork and research for both current preservation and comprehensive planning efforts 
• Reviews building permit applications and business licenses; ensures the efficient and timely processing of applications
• Responds to preservation, planning and zoning inquiries from a variety of internal and external constituents and stakeholders; performs ‘planner-on-call’ duties as requested
• Coordinates and participates with other agencies in activities related to requests for proposals and corresponding completed plans and bids
• Provides input pertaining to landscape components in neighborhoods, site and master plans, and design guidelines
• Attends meetings outside of standard business hours when requested/as assigned/as required
• Coordinates and/or provides guidance to lower-level planning and technical employees, when requested/as assigned/as required

SUPERVISION:

• None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, or a closely related field; supplemented by two (2) years of progressively responsible historic preservation experience; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience. A master’s degree in a directly related field and one (1) year of cumulative job/internship experience in historic preservation is preferred. 

A valid Florida driver’s license is required.

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Historic Preservation certificate or equal preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP Certification) is optional.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of department policies and procedures for the preparation, production and maintenance of reports, documentation and records
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local planning, zoning, and land use regulations, standards, and requirements governing the work
• Working knowledge of the principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques utilized in municipal zoning, planning, and land development planning
• Knowledge of historic preservation, local and American history, and historic architecture and construction materials and techniques
• 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 changes, 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 organize the systematic identification and documentation of historic sites
• Ability to determine the integrity and significance of potentially historic sites 
• Ability to judge the potential effect of any proposed undertaking on historic sites
• 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 correctly interpret and efficiently implement all applicable policies and procedures
• Ability to use reasoning skills that minimize duplication of efforts, including but not limited to comparing, classifying, analyzing and coordinating
• 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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on 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.

Applicants for employment who become candidates for available employment positions should note employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all reference checks and pre-employment physical satisfaction. Upon request, information on the nature and scope of an inquiry will be provided under FS 119.

Furthermore, some of the job classifications within the City of Lake Worth Beach workforce are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements with a union. Consistent with Chapter 447 of the Florida Statutes, a bargaining unit employee has the right to join or not join the union. However, the Union is not obligated to represent a non-member.