PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in urban/regional planning, geography, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, environmental science, or closely related field and four years progressively responsible professional planning experience; or a Bachelor's degree with major coursework in one of the above fields with six (6) years of professional planning experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. 
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is highly responsible, professional and supervisory planning work in the Alachua County Department of Growth Management.

An employee assigned to this classification designs and performs the more difficult and complex studies of planning data and development trends, facilitating comprehensive reports and presentations necessary to the organization; and is responsible for the development and continuing review of the comprehensive plan, land development code and related implementation activities.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
 

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
 Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
 Supervises and coordinates the activities of subordinate supervisors and employees including determining work procedures and schedules; issuing instructions and assigning duties; reviewing work; recommending personnel actions; conducting performance reviews; and conducting departmental training and orientation.

Conducts background research, surveys, interviews and prepares reports on such areas as land use, economics, demographics, intergovernmental coordination, the environment, public facilities, public finance, planning law, urban design, social systems, health, recreation and/or other related planning concerns.

Prepares materials for and makes presentations to elected and appointed officials and citizens regarding comprehensive planning , land development regulations, rezonings, development applications and related matters; reviews proposed comprehensive plan and land development orders for consistency and compliance with Florida Statutes, and County policy and sound planning principles.

Coordinates the efforts of County departments and agencies concerned with planning activities.

Confers with the public on matters concerning planning, both in individual and group settings, including making formal presentations to groups of citizens or professionals.

Assists the Growth Management Director as needed and may be designated to act on behalf of the Director in his/her absence.

Performs duties listed as well as those assigned with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of current principles, practices, and methods of comprehensive planning and plan implementation.

Thorough knowledge of planning principles and practices as applied to the collection of community planning data and to the preparation of planning reports and studies, in both graphic and written form.

Knowledge of zoning, subdivision regulation, and other development regulations and techniques.

Knowledge of economics, government finance, engineering, design, geography, political science and environmental science as applied to public sector planning.

Knowledge of organization and operations of local and state government agencies.

Knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to public sector planning with specific knowledge of those pertaining to Florida.

Knowledge in the use of planning/development related computer devices and software.

Skill in the use of computer techniques in public planning and management applications.

Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of subordinate supervisors and employees.

Ability to carry out complex planning studies and to analyze information and formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.

Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form.

Ability to manage complex multi-departmental planning projects and studies and effectively communicate the outcomes of those projects and studies.
 
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, outside agencies, and the general public.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and walk.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$41.06 Hourly