Principal Planner

City-of-Ocala,-F; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Ocala seeks a highly responsible planning professional to assist the Planning Director in monitoring and managing the planning division. The role involves directing reviews of zoning applications, comp plan amendments, variances, annexations, and site plans, while coordinating with city departments on land development regulations.

Qualifications include a strong urban planning background, 8+ years of experience, and knowledge of Florida statutes.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, or public administration; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years related experience and/or training.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Review zoning applications, amendments to comprehensive plan, variances, and special exceptions.
• Coordinate with City Departments to update land development regulations.
• Assist Planning Director to update the comprehensive plan and monitor changes.
• Maintain compliance with Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code.
• Provide staff assistance to various boards and commissions.
• Lead planning projects and studies; provide direct customer service.

Skills

PowerPoint

Spreadsheet

Word processing

10-Key

Accounting

Alphanumeric data entry

Database

HR systems

Payroll systems

Programming languages

Education

Urban planning degree

Public administration

Master's degree preferred

8 years experience

Equivalent combo in urban planning

Tools

GIS applications

AICP

GIS certifications

Job description

This is a highly responsible, technical, and professional position with administrative duties assisting the Planning Director in the monitoring and management of the planning division. This position reports directly to the Planning Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides direction in the review of all operations of the planning division including but not limited to zoning applications, amendments to the comprehensive plan, applications for variances and special exceptions, abrogation requests, annexations, site plans, planned unit development plans, neighborhood plans, redevelopment plans, and alcoholic beverage permits.
2. Provides coordination with City Departments and other divisions in the Growth Management Department in updating the City's land development regulations. Reviews and verifies all code amendments for consideration by the Planning Director.
3. Assists the Planning Director to update and revise the City's comprehensive plan including maintaining an ongoing surveillance of physical, economic, and social changes within the community.
4. Has sound knowledge of the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code regarding rules and regulations including procedural requirements and required the compilation of data and analysis, and compliance with requirements.
5. Provides staff assistance to the Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission, the Tree Commission, the Downtown Development Commission, the North Magnolia CRA Advisory Committee, the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board, and the Board of Adjustment.
6. Serves as project leader on various planning projects and studies.
7. Provides direct customer service to professionals, the public and City employees.
8. Assists the Planning Director in the annual preparation and submittal of the Department's budget and goals.
9. Provides training, guidance, and supervision for assigned staff and evaluates their performance.
10. Helps coordinate plans and actions with other departments and service groups.
11. Makes presentations to various boards and professional/civic organizations.
12. Prepares memos, letters, and other correspondence.
13. Reviews and comments on site plans according to Land Development Regulations, particularly in regard to general layout, landscaping, open space, and signage requirements.
14. Maintains the GIS maps and databases as needed. Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed.
15. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, geography, or public administration. Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years related experience and/or training.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience in urban planning or closely related field may be considered.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida operator driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• GIS application certification

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

• Advanced: Presentation/PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing
• Basic: 10-Key, Accounting, Alphanumeric Data Entry, Database, Human Resources Systems, Payroll Systems, Programming Languages

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT

None.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises up to 5 non-supervisory employee(s). Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and understand state law, common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane, algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, working from policies and general directives. Rarely refers specific cases to supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization's policy is required.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of employees, all performing basically the same type of work and general knowledge of traffic impact analysis.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance which would have considerable effect on the final attainment of multiple major activities and the organization's projects of a large organization component and organization's clientele.

MENTAL DEMAND

Intense mental demand. Operations requiring sustained directed thinking to analyze, solve, or plan highly variable, administrative, professional, or technical tasks involving complex problems or mechanisms.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Oversight. Activities covered by expansive policies and objectives, and oversight as to execution and review. High order of analytical, interpretative, and constructive thinking in varied situations covering multiple areas of the organization.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

ACCURACY

Probable errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and could possibly affect organization-patron relationship, involve re-work, or additional expenditures in order to properly resolve the error. The possibility of such errors would occur quite frequently in performance of the job. May also cause inaccuracies or incomplete information that would be used in other segments of the organization as a basis for making subsequent decisions, plans, or actions.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Regular contacts with patrons where the contacts are initiated by the employee. Involves both furnishing and obtaining information and, also, attempting to influence the decisions of those persons contacted. Contacts of considerable importance and of such nature, that failure to exercise proper judgment may result in important tangible or intangible losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Contacts with other departments or offices and also frequently with individuals in middle level positions; consulting on problems which necessitate judgment and tact in presentation to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken. Also, important contacts with associates as required in advanced supervisory jobs, plus frequent contact with senior level internal officials.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities 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 and expectations. The employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequently required to stand, sit; and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Knowledge of relationships among different factors influencing urban development and among the general legal and social determinants of community development; the methods of conducting research and statistical analyses and the evaluation of research data; the general principles of and a familiarity with the techniques used in community and regional physical planning; and an understanding of how urban areas and their component systems function and grow. Must have the ability to coordinate research studies and present effective presentations; supervise effectively the work of other planners; and communicate clearly and concisely in written and oral form.

More ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Not indicated.