Planner I

City of Homestead; Homestead Trailer Park (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Homestead in Florida is seeking an entry-level planning professional to perform a range of city planning tasks under supervision. You will assist with zoning, land use, and neighborhood development, and support the Local Planning Agency and City Commission.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field, 6 months to 2 years of experience, and proficiency with GIS. You will prepare reports, maps, and presentations and help ensure compliant development and permits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Regional or Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or a closely related discipline.
• 6 months to 2 years of related work experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Chapter 163, F.S., comprehensive master land use planning, land development code, economic development, and GIS.
• Strong analytical, coordinative, administrative and communicative skills.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of professional planning tasks related to the development of the City and its neighborhoods.
• Reviews zoning regulations, land use policies, urban design best practices, and demographic trends.
• Reviews site plans, landscaping proposals, architectural renderings, and design submissions for compliance.
• Prepares professional reports, charts, graphics, and maps to support recommendations.
• Participates in development of neighborhood, corridor, and master plans; prepares guidelines and implementation strategies.
• Provides support to Local Planning Agency and City Commission; attends meetings as needed.
• Coordinates with other departments to ensure consistent application of policies.
• Assists with field work including site visits, surveys, and inspections.
• Provides information and technical assistance to residents, developers, and others on zoning and land use regulations.
• Performs plans reviews for building permits and prepares Zoning Verification Letters.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Regional or Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or related discipline

Strong analytical skills

Coordinative skills

Administrative skills

Communication skills

GIS

Tools

GIS

Job description

General Functions

Entry level responsible professional work in city planning. Work involves performance of moderately difficult professional and technical work in city planning under general supervision. Limited supervision may be exercised over a small group of Planning Technicians, interns, and administrative/clerical personnel. Independent judgment is exercised in the application of professional techniques and principles to recurring problems, which do not go beyond the bounds of established rules, standards, and policies. Supervision is received from a higher-level Planner, or Assistant Director who reviews work through consultation and analysis of reports prepared.

Reports to

City Planner or designee

Supervisory Responsibility

Administrative Staff, as needed

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of professional planning tasks related to the physical, economic, social, and contextual development of the City and its neighborhoods.
• Conducts research on zoning regulations, land use policies, urban design best practices, and demographic trends to assist in recommending updates to City codes and ordinances.
• Reviews and evaluates site plans, landscaping proposals, architectural renderings, and urban design submissions for compliance with applicable regulations, design standards, and planning principles.
• Prepares professional written reports, charts, graphics, and maps to support planning recommendations and communicate findings to internal departments, boards, and the general public on small scale projects.
• Participates in the development of neighborhood, corridor, and master plans; prepares related design guidelines, vision documents, and implementation strategies.
• Provides professional support to Local Planning Agency, City Commission, and other advisory bodies by compiling research, preparing presentations, and attending meetings as needed.
• Coordinates with other departments and agencies to ensure consistent application of development policies and procedures.
• Assists with field work including site visits, surveys, assessments, and visual inspections to verify compliance or document existing conditions.
• Provides information and technical assistance to residents, developers, contractors, and other stakeholders regarding zoning, permitting, land use regulations, and the City’s comprehensive plan.
• Performs plans review for building permits.
• Prepares Zoning Verification Letters.
• Monitors and Transmits text amendments, comprehensive plan updates to the GIS team and municipal code provider.
• May assist in supervising and mentoring interns, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned to support departmental operations and City objectives.

All of the above information is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. This description is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Type of Appointment/Work hours

• Full-time/Regular in-person position.
• Standard workweek, which is forty (40) hours of work per week usually consisting of five (5) days of eight (8) hours per day. The workday may be varied for the efficient delivery of public service.
• Will be required to work other than the standard workweek on occasion, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Will be required to work occasional overtime or shift assignments, if applicable.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Regional or Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or a closely related discipline.
• Required to have some (6 months - 2 years) experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Chapter 163, F.S., comprehensive master land use planning, land development code, economic development, community development block grant program, census analysis, zoning, geographic information systems (GIS), historic preservation, transportation and traffic analysis, open space planning and environmental review.
• Strong analytical, coordinative, administrative and communicative skills are required.
• Must be able to understand and comprehend written and verbal instructions.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

Physical and Environmental Demands or Conditions

The physical and environmental demands for this position have been listed on the last page of this description. Physical and environmental demands must be met to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

Core Competencies

• Judgment - Sound decisions based on fact; uses logic to solve problems.
• Quality of Work - Performs work thoroughly, accurately, and professionally.
• Reliability - Timely and consistently completes assigned work; consistently reports to work and is punctual.
• Safety - Committed to ensuring a safe environment and complies with applicable safety standards.
• Technical Capability - Applies knowledge to identify issues and works to develop skills; demonstrates knowledge of techniques, skills, and equipment.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

• The employee must successfully pass a background screening process and comply with the City’s Drug-Free Workplace policy.
• The City will also verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired so the proper completion of Form I-9 is required, which includes the employee providing documents evidencing identity and employment authorization.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Qualifying individuals with disabilities may be provided reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform the essential functions.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, the City of Homestead complies with Florida law by providing Veterans' Preference in hiring. Qualified applicants, including veterans, spouses, widows/widowers, parents of service members, and current reserve or National Guard members, may receive hiring priority if they meet minimum qualifications and can perform the duties required. Veterans’ Preference includes additional points on exams, prioritized placement on employment lists, and education waivers for certain qualified individuals. This preference ensures eligible candidates are considered fairly at all stages of the hiring process. For questions, contact the Human Resources Department.