Planner III

Major Functions

The County of Volusia is seeking an experienced Planner III for the Planning and Development Services Division. This position is located in DeLand, Florida, and will be responsible for implementing the county’s growth management plans and ensuring that lands are developed in accordance with all applicable growth management regulations. This includes gathering, analyzing, and presenting technical information to develop public policy and reviewing construction documents and civil engineering plans. Project management skills and the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple assignments are essential. All candidates applying for this position must have excellent writing, presentation, and analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with staff, applicants, and the public, as well as elected and appointed officials. Candidates must have practical knowledge of planning practices, urban design principles, subdivisions, zoning regulations, legal descriptions, and the public land survey system. This position reports to the Land Development Manager and may be assigned to supervise junior planners, Zoning Technicians, and/or other customer service staff. Excellent customer service is a must, in keeping with Volusia County's customer service standards.

NOTE: Candidates may submit at least two reports that he/she presented to a Planning Board or City/County Council or Commission at the time of application, or upon request.

Illustrative Duties

• Performs advanced level of planning duties as described in the Planner II level.
• May serve as principal planner for major program areas such as demographics, transportation, historic preservation, land development, land use, project design, economic development, floodplain administration, and zoning activity functions.
• Supervises and advises one or more lower-level Planners, Zoning Technicians, and/or customer service staff depending on the projects assigned.
• Assists subordinates in performing their duties and responsibilities.
• Represents the Planning and Development Services Division and Volusia County on various government, quasi-government, and citizen councils, boards, and committees, and provides professional planning assistance to those boards.
• Prepares and/or critiques master development plans and engineered site plans showing the placement of building masses, parking areas, landscaping buffers, traffic patterns, and related supporting uses and facilities.
• Makes regular public presentations to the Development Review Committee, Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission, and other boards, of a highly technical and analytical nature. Writes staff reports and PowerPoint presentations that relate to advanced-level planning analysis in a concise and understandable way.
• Answers questions extemporaneously during cross-examination.
• Prepares and presents public information/education programs.
• Attends community workshops on a variety of subjects.
• May research and write grant applications on a variety of topics.
• May participate in creating county grant programs or providing data and recommendations on award selection of county grant applications.
• Review local government plans, developments, or ordinances to determine the impact on county services, facilities, and programs.
• Acts as the Land Development Manager in their absence.
• May be assigned to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
• May be assigned to attend meetings, workshops, or public hearings outside of regular business hours with advance notice.
• Must adhere to Federal, State, County, and Local ordinances.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience in planning, geography, environmental science, engineering, architecture, history, public administration, political science, or related field in public or private planning, design, land use, or development agency.

OR

Master's degree in planning, geography, environmental science, engineering, architecture, history, public administration, political science, or related field, and two (2) years of experience in a related field in public or private planning, design, land use, or development agency.

OR
Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, environmental science, engineering, architecture, history, public administration, political science, or related field and four (4) years of experience in related field in public or private planning, design, land use, or development agency.

NOTE: Candidates who possess the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) are desirable.

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License at time of hire.

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License within thirty (30) days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge, abilities, and skills of the Planner II level.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, interactive maps, and other geospatial data and tools.
• Knowledge of surveys, maps, and engineered site plans, and the ability to read and understand the components of such documents.
• Knowledge of state, county, and municipal planning, zoning, and development standards, including state subdivision platting regulations.
• Knowledge of the development review process.
• Knowledge of legal descriptions and the Public Land Survey System.
• Knowledge of the state subdivision regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and have excellent public speaking skills.
• Ability to answer technical questions extemporaneously during cross-examination or ad hoc discussions.
• Ability to demonstrate presentation, organizational, written, and time management skills.
• Ability to identify problems and issues and to develop sound public policies, programs, and strategies to implement solutions.
• Ability to write reports and presentation materials that relate advanced-level planning analysis in a concise and understandable way.
• Ability to supervise other planners, zoning technicians, and customer service staff.
• Ability to coordinate plan review with other county staff and outside agencies and divisions and facilitate meaningful discussions.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to interact effectively with others and within a team.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

Mental Demands: Ability to read and comprehend technical and professional journals and manuals, reports, abstracts, statistical data, and legal documents. Ability to perform general mathematical functions. Ability to write comprehensive reports relaying detail, data, and information. Ability to speak effectively, publicly and extemporaneously, conversant in policies, techniques and planning procedures. Ability to analyze complex data and develop conclusions.

Physical Demands: Sedentary work. Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry a minimum of 10 pounds.
Ability to look at a computer screen for long periods and operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement. Ability to speak, hear, and see.

Environmental Demands: Generally inside work.