Planner

About the Department

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Responsible professional and technical position involving direct participation in the management of short and long-term planning activities, preparation of planning studies and reports, preparation and implementation of growth management activities and processes, and other planning and management functions as necessary. Considerable knowledge and judgment in project-specific technical planning matters and solid customer service skills are required.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Conducts research and prepares quantitative analyses and reports.
2. Prepares and/or reviews regulatory ordinances, reports, maps, charts, graphs, and other media.
3. Reviews, analyzes, and provides proper interpretation and application of the laws, rules, and regulations affecting planning functions.
4. Prepares amendments to comprehensive plan elements and land development codes as required.
5. Reviews and processes comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning requests, and other land use applications.
6. Confers with planning and building staff, other government agencies, private citizens, and other professionals in development-related matters.
7. Provides support to the County's municipalities in all aspects of the short and long-term planning processes, including staff support at public meetings.
8. Coordinates County plans and programs with other county departments and other counties, cities, and regulatory agencies.
9. Works with other staff members, County, State, and municipal agencies, and appointed boards and committees in coordinating and implementing planning activities.
10. Presents reports and recommendations on land use and zoning issues to the Zoning & Adjustment Special Master and Board of County Commissioners.
11. Manages and implements contracts with outside consultants and contractors utilized to support Development Services.
12. In case of an emergency or crisis situation (hurricane, flood, etc.), the position must respond/perform emergency and recovery duties.
13. Maintains regular physical attendance during normal work hours as assigned at one of the County's offices or work facilities with the ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related marginal duties as required.)

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of local government land use and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations relating to planning and land use, including the State of Florida Planning Act.
• Knowledge of statistics and quantitative research methods employed in compiling, assimilating, evaluating, and presenting planning data.
• Skill in the operation of computers, including geographic information systems, and other office machines.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize work assigned in the most effective and cost-efficient manner and organize work assigned in the most effective and cost-efficient manner and organize work assigned in the most effective and cost-efficient manner and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently or as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected and appointed officials, and co-workers.
• Ability to communicate technical and legal information clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment and to work with minimum supervision to accomplish assigned duties.
• Ability to review site plans for compliance with zoning standards.
• Ability to conduct public presentations concisely and with confidence.
• Ability to read and interpret maps and plans.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Planning or other related fields such as Public Administration, with course work in land use or urban planning.
• Experience in local government or private sector land use/urban planning (Preferred).

• Valid Florida Driver's License and a driving record acceptable to the insurance provider.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
• Certified Floodplain Manager Certification within one year of employment.
• Must possess or obtain the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications within six (6) months of employment.

Other Qualifications

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Acceptable vision (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction).
• Ability to communicate using speech, hearing, and vision skills.
• Ability to work under stress with time constraints.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
FLSA Non-Exempt Status
Revised 10/12/2024

Provides public administration and municipal services for Sumter County.