What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Planner-$1,000 Sign On Incentive position at Orange County Government?
Overview
At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.
The Orange County Planning Division is currently seeking to fill a Chief Planner position in our Comprehensive Planning Section. This section includes a progressive team of innovative professionals that perform or support various Planning Division work program responsibilities.
The Comprehensive Planning Section conducts long-range planning activities and guides the development of goals, objectives, and policies in the County¿s Comprehensive Plan through public engagement and in coordination with other County agencies. Policies address a wide range of topics, including land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, conservation, recreation, etc. The Section also oversees amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and evaluates progress in policy implementation to ensure consistency with the County¿s vision. The Section is also responsible for conducting independent research and analysis using best practice approaches, facilitating interdepartmental team meetings, and coordinating work program elements related to the pending Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Orange Code update with internal / external entities.
Potential candidates for either position should be extremely organized, have strong written and verbal communication skills, exhibit superior leadership characteristics, and be capable of thriving in a high-pressured environment.
Job Description
General Functions:
The Chief Planners for both sections perform administrative and supervisory work for the Division and act as a project manager for the more technical work activities, and use best-practice approaches to conduct demographic, housing, socioeconomic, and financial analyses for key planning initiatives and work program assignments. They also remain well-informed about emerging technologies and innovative programs, projects, and activities in other communities and organizations, and then applies this information to create a robust work program.
More specifically, the Comprehensive Planning Section Chief Planner plays a lead role in on-going efforts to adopt ¿Vision 2050¿, a more effective, streamlined, and navigable plan with new Goals, Objectives, and Policies that guide an innovative form-based approach to sustainable development. The work of a Chief Planner is performed with independence under the direction of the Division Manager and Assistant Manager, and is reviewed on a regular basis through observations, conferences, and results achieved.
Representative Duties/Assignments:
Masters degree from an accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration or a closely related field and five (5) years of professional experience in a planning, land use or zoning to include one (1) year of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Preferences:
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification.
Application Deadline
Open Date: 09/29/2025
Close Date: 12/01/2025
This posting is subject to close without prior notice.
Salary Information
Pay Grade: 021 - From $39.21 to $50.97
FLSA Status: Exempt
Placement based on Education and Experience
Sign-on Incentive
This position may be eligible for a Sign-on Incentive. To learn more about our Sign-on Incentive Program visit our website at:
http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives
Please note that current County employees are not eligible for a sign-on monetary incentive.
Benefits
For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx
Veterans Preference
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.
Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
Educational Requirements
If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.
Address
Address
Notes
Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete the pre-employment drug, physical and background check.
At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.
The Orange County Planning Division is currently seeking to fill a Chief Planner position in our Comprehensive Planning Section. This section includes a progressive team of innovative professionals that perform or support various Planning Division work program responsibilities.
The Comprehensive Planning Section conducts long-range planning activities and guides the development of goals, objectives, and policies in the County¿s Comprehensive Plan through public engagement and in coordination with other County agencies. Policies address a wide range of topics, including land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, conservation, recreation, etc. The Section also oversees amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and evaluates progress in policy implementation to ensure consistency with the County¿s vision. The Section is also responsible for conducting independent research and analysis using best practice approaches, facilitating interdepartmental team meetings, and coordinating work program elements related to the pending Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Orange Code update with internal / external entities.
Potential candidates for either position should be extremely organized, have strong written and verbal communication skills, exhibit superior leadership characteristics, and be capable of thriving in a high-pressured environment.
Job Description
General Functions:
The Chief Planners for both sections perform administrative and supervisory work for the Division and act as a project manager for the more technical work activities, and use best-practice approaches to conduct demographic, housing, socioeconomic, and financial analyses for key planning initiatives and work program assignments. They also remain well-informed about emerging technologies and innovative programs, projects, and activities in other communities and organizations, and then applies this information to create a robust work program.
More specifically, the Comprehensive Planning Section Chief Planner plays a lead role in on-going efforts to adopt ¿Vision 2050¿, a more effective, streamlined, and navigable plan with new Goals, Objectives, and Policies that guide an innovative form-based approach to sustainable development. The work of a Chief Planner is performed with independence under the direction of the Division Manager and Assistant Manager, and is reviewed on a regular basis through observations, conferences, and results achieved.
Representative Duties/Assignments:
- Assists the Manager and Assistant Manager in developing a Section work program and by managing special planning projects.
- Leads and supervises the Section by coordinating staff resources with other sections, managing a complex work program, and overseeing / monitoring all annexation activities.
- Assists the Manager and Assistant Manager with the processing of Purchasing Division consultant service forms, by monitoring contract compliance, and by preparing Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as directed.
- Serves as one of the primary division contact persons and routinely addresses civic, community, governmental, and professional groups / private organizations.
- Works with neighborhood groups in problem solving, consensus building, vision-setting, and developing recommendations.
- Makes recommendations and gives presentations to various County advisory boards and/or committees, and the Board of County Commissioners.
- Prepares articles for journals, newsletters and other miscellaneous planning publications and presents programs and lectures at planning conferences.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of the Section in responding to customer problems and needs and is responsible for improving customer satisfaction with various division products and services.
- Transfers ownership of products and services by empowering team members and employees.
- Performs team training and other work program-related duties.
- Plans, delegates, schedules, reviews, and edits all work products produced by the section¿s staff.
- Interacts directly with citizens for specific projects and attends public meetings, if required.
- The Comprehensive Planning Section Chief tracks, reviews, and summarizes proposed growth management legislation and assesses potential impacts to Orange County.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Masters degree from an accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration or a closely related field and five (5) years of professional experience in a planning, land use or zoning to include one (1) year of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Preferences:
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification.
Application Deadline
Open Date: 09/29/2025
Close Date: 12/01/2025
This posting is subject to close without prior notice.
Salary Information
Pay Grade: 021 - From $39.21 to $50.97
FLSA Status: Exempt
Placement based on Education and Experience
Sign-on Incentive
This position may be eligible for a Sign-on Incentive. To learn more about our Sign-on Incentive Program visit our website at:
http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives
Please note that current County employees are not eligible for a sign-on monetary incentive.
Benefits
- 10 paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays annually.
- 18 days paid time off per year.
- Longevity bonus based on years of service.
- 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
- Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
- Participation in the Florida Retirement System.
- Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
- Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
- Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
- Tuition reimbursement program.
- Earn service time to forgive student loans.
For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx
Veterans Preference
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.
Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
Educational Requirements
If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.
Address
Address
Notes
Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete the pre-employment drug, physical and background check.
Salary : $39 - $51
