PLANNER

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in urban/regional planning, geography, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, environmental science, economics or related field; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. 

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.  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 responsible, professional planning work in the Growth Management  Department. This position performs difficult and complex urban planning services that relate to the County's comprehensive plan, land development code, zoning, development review, and/or intergovernmental coordination. 
 
An employee assigned to this classification conducts planning research, prepares reports and assists in formulating and implementing planning and development policies and procedures.
 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.
 
Reviews and analyzes site plans and development proposals for compliance with County policy and sound planning principles.  These reviews may include Comprehensive Plan Amendment analysis, Zoning Application analysis, and site plan/development plan/subdivision plat analysis.
 
Researches and prepares relevant data and analysis, reviews proposed site plans for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code and drafts proposed policies and codes.
 
Prepares and presents staff reports to advisory committees and elected officials and in other public settings.
 Prepares and presents provision of information to groups and individuals about the County's Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code, intradepartmental and interdepartmental coordination with other local government, regional and state entities regarding planning matters.
Keeps records and makes periodic special reports.
Conducts field investigations and interviews and provides assistance to the public with programs relating to implementation of the comprehensive plan such as land use, natural resource protection, infrastructure planning and economic development.

Prepares preliminary and final reports based on research, interviews or field investigations.
Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties. 

Performs the 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, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of comprehensive public planning.
 Knowledge of the planning principles and practices as applied to the collection of community planning data and to the preparation of community planning reports and studies in both graphic and written form
Knowledge of economics, government finance and sociology as applied to public planning.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, and management sciences.

Knowledge of planning/development related computer systems and the application of computer techniques for planning/development studies and analysis.
Knowledge of zoning, subdivision regulations and other development ordinances.
 Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, outside agencies, and the general public.

Ability to assist in the preparation of comprehensive plans and functional plans and to maintain them with technical accuracy.
Ability to participate in complex planning studies or elements thereof and to analyze information and formulate substantive recommendations based upon such studies.

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; talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach and occasionally required to be mobile.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral visions, and ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of computer monitors.
 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.

$58,864.00 Annually