Planner I

General Description

The position of Planner I performs professional level long-range or current planning activities related to the growth and orderly development of the City in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and other statutes, ordinances, and regulations related to land use. This position reports directly to the Planner III.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs, and regulations.
• Reviews or assists in the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site development plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
• Prepares and presents detailed reports on development proposals to governmental bodies
• Collects a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics such as census information, land use, tax base data, and occupancy rates.
• Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of re-zonings, comprehensive plan amendments, ordinance amendments, site development plans, conditional uses, special exceptions, and other proposals.
• Acts as liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials in developing neighborhood plans.
• Coordinates community review of public and private development projects.
• Provides information to the public regarding development regulations.
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues.
• Oversees the work of consultants and interns.
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments.
Attends evening and weekend meetings as necessary.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and accepted practices of public planning and the implementation of zoning and land development regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret zoning regulations.
• Knowledge of methods of collection and analysis of planning data and the preparation of planning reports and studies.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications and GIS.
• Excellent customer service, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in person and in writing.
• Ability to carry planning assignments to completion through the formation of creative planning solutions.
• Ability to conduct field inspections to determine facts through investigations.
• Ability to read and interpret building and development plans, specifications, and legal documents.
• Ability to identify deviations from the requirements of the regulations.
• Ability to present concise, detailed oral and written administrative reports.
• 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 public.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional work experience in planning or related field.

(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.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Hiring Range Statement

Please note, the hiring pay range for this position is the minimum up to a rate equal to or less than the midpoint of the salary range.

Veterans Preference Statement

The City of North Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

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 13 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".