Planning & Zoning Specialist

Town of Palm Beach; Florida; On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Town of Palm Beach is seeking a Planning & Zoning Specialist to interpret and enforce the Town’s Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan. You will collaborate with permit staff, design professionals, property owners, and residents to ensure development aligns with landmarked standards and the community character.

A Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field is required, with preference for related experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, construction management, building construction, architecture, or related field required; plus one year of related experience preferred.
• Related experience includes zoning or site plan processes, land development, redevelopment, zoning administration, and real estate experience.

Responsibilities

• Review building permits, business licenses, and minor development applications for zoning compliance.
• Verify building permit drawings conform to ARCOM/LPC approvals and site plans.
• Serve as primary public liaison at the planning counter via phone, email, and in person.
• Guide the public, developers, and contractors through local planning and permitting processes.
• Assist code enforcement officers in investigating potential zoning violations and preparing citations.

Skills

Zoning knowledge

GIS

Reading plans

Customer service

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field

Associate's degree + 5 years experience

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Position Summary

The Planning & Zoning Specialist performs specialized technical and professional work in the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of the Town’s Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan. Operating under the general supervision of the Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Manager, the Specialist executes a diverse range of critical regulatory responsibilities designed to ensure all development and construction activities preserve and align with the Town's unique community character and landmarked standards. This role requires exceptional communication and collaborative diplomacy, serving as a key liaison between building permit intake staff, licensed design professionals, property owners, and Town residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Review building permits, business licenses, and minor development applications to verify compliance with local zoning ordinances, land development codes, and comprehensive plans.
• Reviews all building permit application for zoning compliance.
• Verify that all building permit working drawings and construction documents strictly conform to the final designs approved by the Architectural Commission (ARCOM) or the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and aligns with the site plans as approved by Town Council.
• Serve as the primary public liaison at the planning counter, answering inquiries over the phone, via email, and in person.
• Guide the public, developers, and contractors through the local planning and permitting processes.
• Assist code enforcement officers in investigating potential zoning violations, issuing citations, or prepping documentation for formal complaints.
• Responds to daily phone, email, and in-person inquiries from the public.

Minimum And Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, construction management, building construction, architecture, or related field required, plus one (1) year of related experience preferred. Experience may be accepted in lieu of degree; with a minimum of an Associate's degree in related fields described and five (5) years' experience accepted.

Related experience includes working with zoning or site plan processes including land development and redevelopment, zoning administration, and implementation of planning and zoning regulations, and/or real estate experience.

Previous Building Code Experience Is Preferred.

Florida driver's license required.

Skills and Competencies

Knowledge of the local zoning codes. Knowledge of the unique topography, coastal geography and historic development patterns that define the landmarked character of the Town of Palm Beach land measurement and legal descriptions. Knowledge of software used to process applications. Great customer service skills and the ability to interpret and communicate the zoning code to the public. Ability to read construction and architectural plans. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, contractors, attorneys, owner representatives and the public. Ability to recognize deviations from the zoning code and subdivision code requirements and ability to map out alternatives to those deviations to the public. Proficiency in standard municipal graphic software applications, with specialized knowledge in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for special analysis, mapping, and zoning verification is highly preferred. Ability to maintain a Planning, Zoning and Building Department database. Working knowledge of EPL a plus.

The environmental conditions and physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required, weekly or up to daily, to: lift or carry objects up to 20 pounds; stoop and bend; climb up and/or down stairs; reach and grasp objects; use manual dexterity or fine motor skills. have the ability to identify and distinguish colors; communicate orally; hear; push or pull carts or other such objects; proofread and check documents for accuracy; use a keyboard to enter and transform words or data; use a video display terminal; and/or work in a normal office environment with few physical discomforts.

The employee may sometimes be required to: lift or carry objects up to 50 pounds; work in an area that is somewhat uncomfortable due to drafts, noise, temperature variation, odors or the like; work with equipment or performing procedures where carelessness would probably result in minor cuts, bruises or muscle pulls; operate automobile, van, and/or Town vehicle; and/or be able to work a fluctuating work schedule based upon the need of the department.

Job description specifications are intended to present an illustrative description of the range of duties, the scope of responsibility and the required level of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to describe the primary functions of the job. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by the employees in each position assigned to the class. Individuals may perform other duties as needed, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload as required by business necessity.

This is a non-exempt position paid on an hourly basis which is eligible for overtime.

The Town of Palm Beach offers a compressive benefits package that includes health, prescription, dental and other supplementary benefits. Refer to the General Employees Benefits page and Retirement Guide for more information on these programs.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)?

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your clerical or office support work experience?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years or more

03

How many years of experience do you have in administration, public service and/or customer service?

• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years to less than 5 years of experience
• More than 5 years of experience
• Required Question