LANDSCAPE PLANNER

Job Summary

This technical and professional position performs routine to complex planning work relating to the city’s landscape programs including development review and implementation. Provides technical advice and assistance to developers, architects, and landscape contractors pertaining to landscape, plant selections and installation. Reports to the Senior Landscape Planner.

Essential Functions

• Reviews and critiques all plans and specifications pertaining to landscape for compliance with national, state, county and city codes, site design, and proper horticultural and maintenance standards. Approves or disapproves plans and specifications and prepares required documentation and recommendations.
• Reviews and makes recommendations regarding land development code text changes to remain current with state, county, and city applicable codes; drafts resolutions, ordinances, and code updates for Commission consideration.
• Assist in preparation of reports for comprehensive planning, zoning, site plan and Community Appearance Board applications.
• Serves as a member of Development Review Committee (DRC) and Community Appearance Board (CAB).
• Assists in preliminary designs, working drawings, specifications, cost estimate pertaining to landscape design of city properties as requested.
• Reviews and issues of landscape-related permits. Verifies tree removal/relocation requests and issues new permits.
• Schedules and participates in inspections for code compliance. Prepares inspection reports and maintains various records and logs.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and requests for assistance from homeowners, commercial property owners, landscape architects, architects, engineers, landscape contractors, and developers.
• Provides technical and professional advice, prepares for and gives presentations to supervisors, boards, civic groups and the general public.
• Represents the city as a horticulture specialist; provides technical information, advice and assistance to the public as requested. Attends Special Magistrate or court sessions providing testimony as required.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, other city personnel, Development Review Committee, Community Appearance Board, vendors, contractors, developers, architects, community organizations, and the general public.
• Performs general administrative/office work as required, including but not limited to attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, etc.
• Operates a vehicle and various office equipment such as a computer, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, etc. Uses drafting and surveying instruments, such as engineer/architect's scale, etc.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, horticulture, or a related field and 3 years of experience in landscape planning, design and review, installation and maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
• Must possess certification as a certified arborist or certified landscape inspector; or obtain within 1 year of employment.

Position Requirements/Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of horticultural practices including plant identification and landscape design.
• Knowledge of ordinances, codes, and regulations relating to landscaping and tree preservation, maintenance, and removal.
• Knowledge of the methods and practices of landscape maintenance and tree care.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computers, printers, copiers, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to adapt to an evolving and continually improving environment.
• Ability to respond to supervision, guidance and direction of superiors in a positive, receptive manner.
• Ability to communicate professionally with the public in-person, in writing, and on the telephone.
• Ability to demonstrate a polite, helpful and courteous manner when engaged in any activity with the public.
• Ability to exercise initiative in the completion of duties with limited supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to operate and care for equipment to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding, consideration, and respect of cultural, religious, and gender differences when interacting with the public and colleagues.

GENERAL BENEFITS:

Permanent full-time employees earn up to ten days of vacation during their first year of employment. Accrual begins from the first month of employment, but cannot be used until after the third month of employment.

Permanent part-time employees have the opportunity to earn vacation after the completion of one year of continuous service.

Permanent full-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month. Accrual begins from the first month of employment, but cannot be used until after the third month of employment.

Permanent part-time employees have the opportunity to earn sick leave after the completion of one year of continuous service.

The City currently provides medical coverage through Aetna. The City pays the health insurance premium for the employee and 50% of the premium for dependents.

Permanent full-time employees have the option of electing coverage from three plans: Health Network Only Plan (HMO), High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with HSA and Open Access Managed Choice Plan (POS).

Permanent part-time employees have the option of electing coverage from two plans: Health Network Only Plan (HMO) and the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
The City also offers Dental coverage through Delta Dental.

Pension (Defined Benefit Plan)

Permanent full-time employees are automatically enrolled in one of the City sponsored pension plans, which are funded by mandatory City and employee contributions. The Plan provides a guaranteed income, based on years of service, to its members upon retirement.

457(b) Plan (Deferred Compensation Plan)

Employees can elect to participate in this Plan, which enables the employee the option of deferring compensation on a pretax basis, not to exceed the applicable limits established by the IRC.

The City of Miramar provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

As a City of Miramar employee, you may be eligible to receive a discount on tuition and/or registration fees from one of the City's childcare centers.

The City offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's that provide employees the ability to make pree-tax payroll deposits to be used for the following expenses:

• Medical – Qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental and vision expenses
• Dependent Care Reimbursement – Qualified childcare or dependent care expenses

• Tuition reimbursement
• Direct Deposit
• Long Term Disability Coverage
• Life Insurance
• AFLAC

• New Year's Eve (½ Day)
• New Year's Day
• President's Day
• Martin Luther King's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve (½ Day)
• Christmas Day
• Floating Holidays (by position)