Senior Planner

Panama City, City of•Panama City, FL

About The Position

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Director of Planning and Development Services, this is a responsible professional, technical and administrative position involving long-range comprehensive planning and zoning activities as well as related implementing activities. The position requires considerable latitude for individual judgment and initiative. This is advanced professional work in land use and comprehensive planning, research and design relating to long-range planning and/or urban design, current land development and rezoning proposals, environmental assessment, planning and ecological research, or planning and developing programs. This position involves extensive public involvement, contact with public officials and coordination with internal departments and external agencies. Trains and mentors other team members. This position acts in a leadership capacity on projects and initiatives.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of urban and regional planning.
Advanced knowledge of the planning principles and practices as applied to the collection of community planning data and in the preparation of urban/regional planning reports, studies in both the graphic and written forms.
Familiarity with Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering and architecture as applied to the field of urban and regional planning.
Knowledge of economics, public administration, and sociology as applied to urban and regional planning.
Knowledge of principles and practices of research, data collection, and report preparation.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City team members, elected officials, various agencies and the general public.
Expertise in the use of MS Word, Excel, and Outlook is essential.
Ability to exhibit technical, creative and organizational responsibility in the performance of complex studies and projects.
Knowledge of principles and practices of research, data collection, and report preparation.
Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations.
Ability to make presentations on comprehensive reports.
Working knowledge of computers and programs associated with this type of work.
Ability to direct the work of others and present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral or graphic form.
Ability to manage projects and effectively meet internal and external deadlines.
Knowledge of oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly, courteously and effectively to the public.
Knowledge of problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems.
Ability to learn third-party software in an independent manner.
Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
Strong ability to multitask and work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
Ability to meet firm deadlines and maintain a strong level of organization.
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning; or major coursework in public administration, government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography, or statistics.
Two (2) years of full-time professional experience in urban and regional planning.
Valid driver’s license
A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in urban planning; or major coursework in public administration, government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography, or statistics preferred.
Professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.
Two (2) years of experience with Florida’s Growth Management laws are preferred.
Two (2) years of experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a contact for all division inquiries and customer service, providing general information to the public on zoning and other land development issues.
Assists the public in interpreting various land use codes, rules, maps and regulations; informs citizens, applicants and developers of required restrictions associated with the Land Development Code.
Interacts with fellow team members, other departments, elected officials, business and the general public in a cooperative, team-focused, efficient and professional manner.
Perform duties of the Unified Land Development Regulations (Code) and Comprehensive Plan interpretation, clarification and explanation to internal and external customers and maintenance and understanding of records pertaining to planning projects.
Reviews annexations, small and large-scale future land use amendments, rezonings, variances, major developments, Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), preliminary and final plats, Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code text amendments and other Planning Board applications.
Reviews beverage license and business tax receipt applications for consistency with local zoning ordinances.
Performs research for preparation of and development of staff reports concerning development order, zoning and land use amendment requests.
Performs advanced professional work related to a variety of planning assignments.
Manage complex planning studies, development applications, and review consultant proposals.
Interpret Federal, State and Local regulations and guidelines as they relate to assigned responsibilities and stay abreast of various legislative changes.
Provide assistance and information to City departments, developers, applicants and the general public regarding a wide range of planning functions, rezonings, land use amendments, subdivision regulations, the Development Order review process and other related areas.
Attends and provides comments and feedback to citizens and stakeholders at pre-submittal and internal staff meetings concerning the Unified Land Development Code, local Comprehensive Plan, Board of Architects, Planning Board, Technical Review Committee and the Development Order review process and all land use requests that go before the Planning Board and City Commission.
Reviews various large- and small-scale comprehensive plan amendments and existing land use and subdivision surveys according to state and local requirements.
Assists in the review and monitoring of programs, projects and applications to ensure compliance with various codes, plans, contracts, agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations.
Prepares and/or reviews zoning verification letters, permitted use verification letters, subdivision, lot split, lot combinations and lot reconfiguration letters as needed.
Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social and economic issues.
Provides professional planning assistance on varied land use projects.
Reviews Development Order applications for consistency with the local Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code as assigned.
Reviews Certificate of Acceptance applications for consistency with the local Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code as assigned.
Reviews proposals (rezoning, land use amendments, variances, special exceptions, text amendments, or neighborhood plan studies).
Reviews planning permits, sign, accessory, residential and small-scale commercial Development Order applications and site plans, permits to ensure conformance with planning and zoning ordinance requirements and restrictions as needed.
Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans as assigned.
Presents complex reports, information and findings to staff, Planning Board and the City Commission.
Oversee and administer special projects assigned by leadership.
Other duties as assigned.