Salary: $74,685.13 - $119,496.21 Annually
Location : North Port, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 201401558
Department: Development Services
Opening Date: 02/06/2024
General Description
The Planner III requires advanced professional planning experience of high complexity and variety. Employees in this position must exercise independence in judgement and will lead more complex planning assignments. Work is performed under the direction of the Planning and Zoning Manager.
Essential Job Functions

• Performs advanced professional work related to a variety of planning assignments.
• Managers complex planning studies, development applications and reviews consultant proposals.
• Reviews and processes complex comprehensive plan amendments, re-zonings, annexations, site plans, and plats.
• Develops project budgets, administers bidding process, verifies contract expenditures and compliance.
• Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social and economic issues.
• Provides professional planning assistance to member communities on varied land use projects.
• Develops transportation plans, studies, and analyses on regional basis.
• Works in regional program areas relating to natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation coastal zone management and others.
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans.
• Schedules and conducts meetings with advisory boards and elected officials.
• Presents reports and other findings to staff, Planning and Zoning Board, and Council; and serves as liaison to such committees.
• Supervises Planning Technician, Planning Analyst, Planner I, and Planner II positions.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices and techniques of planning.
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as urban design, affordable housing, economic development or land use.
• Knowledge and experience in construction processes.
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS.
• Ability to present concise, detailed oral and written administrative reports.
• Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in person and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize and use mature judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions in accordance with established policy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials and the general public.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications
Education and Experience:

• Master 's degree in Urban and Regional Planning or Public Administration.
• Four (4) years of professional work experience in planning or a related field.
• AICP certification is desirable.

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.
All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.
Aetna - Health Insurance
The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.
Cigna Dental- Dental Insurance
The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.
EyeMed Vision Care - Vision Insurance
The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.
Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance
The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.
Cigna - Short Term Disability
The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.
E-Flex - Flexible Spending Account
A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.
Trustmark- Supplemental Polices
Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.
LifeLock Benefit Solutions
Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.
ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans
The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.
Florida Retirement System - FRS
Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.
Cigna - Employee Assistance Program
The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.
VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance
The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.
Florida Prepaid College Board
Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.
Educational Assistance Program
Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).
Paid Holidays
The City observes 12 paid holidays per year.
Sick Leave and Annual Leave
Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.
Sick Leave Incentive
Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.
Personal Leave
Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.
Bereavement Leave
Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".