Planner I

Panama City, City of (FL); Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Panama City (FL) is seeking a professional planner to support land use research, zoning cases, and development review under the Director of the Development Services Department. The role involves extensive public involvement and coordination with internal departments and external agencies.

The incumbent will interpret codes, prepare reports, and present findings to staff and boards. A bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field is required, with GIS and AICP preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field.
• One year of full-time urban and regional planning experience preferred.
• AICP certification and Florida growth management law familiarity preferred.
• Experience with GIS preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to interpret land use codes and zoning ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Serve as contact for division inquiries and public on zoning and land development.
• Interprets, clarifies and explains information concerning land use and development to customers.
• Prepares and presents reports on development orders, zoning and land use amendments.
• Reviews permits and site plans for conformance with planning and zoning codes.
• Presents findings to staff, Planning Board and City Commission.
• Maintains records of permits and planning requests.
• Assists Planning Board and City Commission meetings.

Skills

Public communication

Policy analysis

Research abilities

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Multitasking

Independent work

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field

AICP certification (preferred)

Tools

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Director of the Development Services Department, this position involves professional planning initiatives, including assigned research on land use and zoning cases and development review. Extensive public involvement, contact with the public officials, and coordination with internal departments and external agencies are necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Serves as a contact for all division inquiries and customer service, providing general information to the public on zoning and other land development issues.
• Provides 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 the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Reviews beverage license and business tax receipt applications for consistency with local zoning ordinances.
• Performs duties of the Unified Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.

• Interprets, clarifies and explains to internal and external customers information concerning land use and development matters and cases.
• Conducts research and prepares reports concerning development orders, zoning and land use amendment requests.
• Collects and interprets a variety of data and information and prepares maps and reports.
• Applies city code ordinances to application requests and informs applicants accordingly.

• Reviews, processes and issues zoning and permitted use verification letters, subdivision, lot split, lot combinations and lot reconfiguration letters.

• Reviews all 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.
• 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.
• Prepares and presents detailed reports and other findings to staff, Planning Board and the City Commission, including but not limited to variances, major developments, annexations, future land use amendments and rezonings as assigned.
• Maintains records and communications pertaining to assigned permits, administrative, Development Order, Certificate of Acceptance, and Planning Board requests.

• Assists planning staff with Planning Board and City Commission meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of the methods, practices and techniques used in the professional planning field.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City team members, elected officials, various agencies and the general public.
• Strong ability to learn third-party software in an efficient and self-directed manner.

• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Knowledge of effective Standard Business English writing techniques, including proper grammar, sentence structure and effective communication.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Ability to prepare documents and reports and present oral and written presentations to small groups.
• Strong abilities in providing solutions to problems or questions from team members.

• 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.
• Working knowledge of computers and programs associated with this type of work.
• Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral or graphic form.
• Ability to effectively meet internal and external deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, both internal and external.
• 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or major coursework in government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography, or statistics.

• One (1) year of full-time professional experience in urban and regional planning preferred.
• Professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and experience with Florida’s growth management laws preferred.

• One (1) year of experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.

A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

• Occasionally - Lift/Carry: 20+ lbs., Push/Pull: 25+ lbs., Crawl, Work at Heights, Traverse Uneven Terrain, Squat/Kneel, Climb
• Frequently - Lift/Carry: 10-20 lbs., Push/Pull: 12-25 lbs. Reach above Shoulder and Reach Outward, Bend, Twist/Turn, Drive
• Constantly - Lift/Carry: 10 lbs. or less, Push/Pull: 12lbs. or less, Fine Motor Skills, Stand, Walk, Sit, Type

These are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

The City of Panama City is an Equal Opportunity Affir­mative/ Action Employer