Planner

Morris-Depew Associates, Inc; Fort Myers (FL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunities

Professional development

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Morris-Depew Associates, Inc. seeks an experienced Land Use Planner for our Fort Myers, FL office to work on complex planning, zoning, and development matters shaping Florida communities.

The role involves preparing amendments, analyses, staff reports, and coordinating with local governments and clients; strong Florida planning knowledge is preferred. Excellent writing and multitasking skills are essential.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of professional experience in land-use planning, zoning, development review, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills are required.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply comprehensive plans, land development codes, and zoning regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, special exceptions, variances, development approvals, and related land-use applications.
• Research and interpret comprehensive plans, land development codes, zoning regulations, statutes, and agency requirements.
• Prepare planning and zoning analyses, consistency narratives, staff reports, ordinances, resolutions, planning studies, and other technical documents.
• Coordinate with local governments, reviewing agencies, clients, and project consultants on various aspects of our work.
• Manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and project budgets.
• Participate in in-person and virtual meetings with clients, government staff, applicants, attorneys, engineers, and other development professionals.
• Prepare and deliver presentations at neighborhood meetings, public workshops, and public hearings.
• Assist local government clients with planning studies, comprehensive planning, development regulations, and development-review matters.
• Identify potential project issues early and develop practical strategies that support client objectives, regulatory compliance, and project schedules.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with clients, local government staff, reviewing agencies, and project team members.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the firm's planning practice.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in planning

Tools

GIS

AutoCAD

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Land Use Planner to join our Fort Myers office. This position offers an opportunity to work on complex planning, zoning, and land development matters that are shaping the future of Florida communities throughout the state.

Our planners work closely with property owners, developers, local governments, attorneys, engineers, surveyors, landscape architects, and other allied development professionals. We evaluate the opportunities and constraints associated with each property and develop practical strategies that balance private development objectives with applicable plans, regulations, and community priorities.

Our planning practice serves both private- and public-sector clients. Expected assignments can include comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, land development code amendments, site planning, development approvals, planning studies, and local government consulting.

The successful candidate will have professional planning experience and the ability to manage substantive assignments. Experience with Florida's planning, zoning, and development-review processes is strongly preferred.

Candidates should submit a résumé and a representative professional writing sample. Examples may include a planning analysis, staff report, application narrative, written communication with others, or similar relevant work product. Confidential or identifying information may be removed or redacted.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, special exceptions, variances, development approvals, and related land-use applications.
• Research and interpret comprehensive plans, land development codes, zoning regulations, statutes, and agency requirements.
• Prepare planning and zoning analyses, consistency narratives, staff reports, ordinances, resolutions, planning studies, and other technical documents.
• Coordinate effectively with local governments, reviewing agencies, clients, and project consultants on various aspects of our work.
• Manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and project budgets.
• Participate in in-person and virtual meetings with clients, government staff, applicants, attorneys, engineers, and other development professionals.
• Prepare and deliver presentations at neighborhood meetings, public workshops, and public hearings.
• Assist local government clients with planning studies, comprehensive planning, development regulations, and development-review matters.
• Identify potential project issues early and develop practical strategies that support client objectives, regulatory compliance, and project schedules.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with clients, local government staff, reviewing agencies, and project team members.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the firm's planning practice.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of professional experience in land-use planning, zoning, development review, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply comprehensive plans, land development codes, zoning regulations, and technical information.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional planning experience in Florida, particularly involving comprehensive planning, zoning, entitlements, or local government development review.
• Familiarity with Florida's statutory planning framework and local government planning processes.
• Experience preparing or reviewing comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, development applications, staff reports, or land development regulations.
• Degree in planning or a related field.
• AICP or similar certification or ability to get certified.
• Working knowledge of GIS, AutoCAD, or design software a plus.
• Experience presenting before planning boards, elected officials, community groups, or other public bodies.
• Familiarity with Southwest Florida jurisdictions and development-review processes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Performance bonus opportunities
• Opportunities for professional development, advancement, and increased project responsibility
• Flexible scheduling opportunities, based on position and project needs
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions

Work Requirements

• Monday to Friday with some flex time options available
• Day shift, with no regularly scheduled nights or weekends
• In person position in Fort Myers, Florida (33901) strongly preferred - occasional remote work is available
• Ability to commute or relocate to Fort Myers before beginning employment
• Occasional travel to project sites, client meetings, and public hearings may be required