Planner II

Panama City, City of • Panama City, FL

3d

About The Position

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Director of Planning and Development Services, the Planner II performs professional and technical work of a progressively responsible and advanced nature. The position may assist senior-level planning staff with monitoring and overseeing specific projects and carries out intermediate and advanced planning initiatives, including research on land use and zoning cases and development review. The role involves extensive public interaction, contact with public officials, and coordination with internal departments and external agencies.

The Planner II serves as a point of contact for division inquiries and provides the public with information about zoning and land development issues. The position interprets and explains land use codes, rules, maps, regulations, the Unified Land Development Code, and the Comprehensive Plan; reviews development, zoning, subdivision, and related applications for compliance; conducts research; prepares and maintains records and reports; and supports long-range planning work and Planning Board and City Commission meetings. The position may present reports and findings to staff, the Planning Board, and the City Commission.

A bachelor’s degree in urban planning or major coursework in specified related disciplines is required, with a comparable amount of training or experience potentially substitutable. A master’s degree, one year of professional urban and regional planning experience, AICP certification, experience with Florida growth management laws, and one year of GIS experience are preferred. A valid driver’s license is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or major coursework in government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography, or statistics; a comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Intermediate knowledge of professional planning methods, practices, and techniques.
• Basic knowledge of Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City team members, elected officials, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to learn third-party software efficiently and independently.
• Ability to review plans and apply ordinances and codes to determine regulatory compliance and apply regulations to field conditions.
• Knowledge of effective Standard Business English writing, including grammar, sentence structure, and clear communication.
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to prepare documents and reports and deliver oral and written presentations to small groups.
• Ability to provide solutions to problems or questions from team members.
• Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in reaching conclusions.
• Ability to multitask and manage several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Ability to meet firm deadlines and maintain strong organization.
• Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Problem-solving ability, including gathering relevant information to address vaguely defined practical problems.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• One year of full-time professional experience in urban and regional planning.
• Professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Experience with Florida’s growth management laws.
• One year of experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Responsibilities

• Serves as a contact for division inquiries and customer service, providing the public with general information on zoning and land development issues.
• Helps the public interpret land use codes, rules, maps, and regulations, and explains restrictions under the Land Development Code.
• Interprets, clarifies, and explains the Unified Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan to internal and external customers, and maintains an understanding of planning project records.
• Researches and prepares information for team member reports concerning development orders, zoning requests, and land use amendment requests.
• Reviews annexations; small- and large-scale future land use amendments; rezonings; variances; major developments; and preliminary and final plats.
• Reviews beverage license and business tax receipt applications for consistency with local zoning ordinances.
• Assists senior staff in reviewing Planned Unit Developments, Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code text amendments, and other Planning Board applications.
• Reviews and processes zoning and permitted-use verification letters, subdivision letters, and lot split, combination, and reconfiguration letters as needed.
• Reviews minor and major subdivisions for consistency with local ordinances.
• Reviews commercial, residential, and large-scale commercial Development Order applications and site plans for compliance with planning and zoning ordinances and restrictions.
• Reviews planning permits and sign, accessory, residential, and small-scale commercial Development Order applications, site plans, and permits for compliance with planning and zoning ordinances and restrictions.
• Reviews assigned Development Order and Certificate of Acceptance applications for consistency with the local Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code.
• Assists senior-level staff with long-range planning studies and projects.
• Presents reports and other findings to staff, the Planning Board, and the City Commission as needed.
• Researches, prepares, and maintains related records and prepares detailed reports.
• Assists planning staff with Planning Board and City Commission meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level