Planner or Senior Planner

Position Description
THE CITY OF CLEARWATER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Planner: $50,592 – $60,710 depending on qualifications
Senior Planner: $64,569 – $77,482 depending on qualifications.

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Under general direction, the Planner performs professional and technical level planning work in long range planning or development review planning in connection with the administration and implementation of City planning projects, programs and Community Development Code.

Currently recruiting for qualified Planners in our Long-Range Division and our Development Review Division.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions: — Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provides entry-level to professional level planning work in a variety of capacities, depending on Division, related to the use of land in the City including development review, site plan approval, signage, landscape review, zoning and land use.
Provides extensive and professional customer service for the general public, including assistance to walk-in customers, other City departments, and outside professionals.
Serves as a contact person for zoning inquiries, applicable land use laws, and general ordinances.
Participates in a variety of meetings and public hearings relating to planning.
Conducts and performs research, gathers data, organizes and provides general analysis of findings for use in special planning projects.
Develops reports and recommendations relating to a variety of planning topics such as land use, redevelopment, design guidelines, urban design, historic preservation, community facilities, economic base, population, and housing.
Confers with outside agencies, officials, neighborhood groups, developers, design professional, and realtors.
Assists and participates on special planning projects by conducting research, gathering data and providing general analysis.
Assists in the preparation and presentation of planning data in graphic and/or written format.
Gathers, compiles, and uses data for analysis; makes recommendations and presentations at the staff level at various review committees, boards, and council meetings.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Planner – Long-Range
Processes petitions for annexation, land use amendments, re-zonings, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code.
Prepares technical reports, ordinances, and Community Development Board and City Council agenda items and presents items.
Reviews requests for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code, with the Countywide Plan rules and state statutes.
Assists with community engagement as part of planning and transportation plans and projects and presents to community and business groups.
Planner –

Development Review
Reviews and analyzes development applications and projects (site plans, architectural elevations, civil and landscape plans) for consistency with all applicable adopted plans, codes and standards; conducts field studies; identifies any issues for discussion and prepares planning comments as part of Development Review Committee.
Conducts zoning reviews and provides follow up on building permits and business tax receipts.

Senior Planner Long-Range
Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research and analysis.
Assists with the preparation of project scopes and manages the work of consultants related to planning.
Processes petitions for annexation, land use amendments, zoning atlas amendments, development agreements, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code.
Develops special area plans, prepares technical reports, ordinances, Community Development Board and City Council agenda items; ensures all amendments are consistent with the Countywide Plan for Pinellas County and state statutes.
Develops and coordinates public involvement strategies, presents to community and business groups and engages the community as part of plans and projects.
Senior Planner – Development Review
Processes, reviews and provides follow up on a wide variety of permits and development applications, including residential dwellings, hotels, and other site plan review applications, business tax receipts, temporary uses, docks, fences, landscape plans, signs, plats, and lot splits.
Independently reviews and analyzes planning applications and projects for consistency with all applicable adopted plans, codes and standards; identifies any issues and utilizes independent judgment to make recommendations regarding approval and potential resolutions.
Prepares staff reports and presents expert testimony for quasi-judicial hearings.

Minimum Qualifications
Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
A valid State driver’s license is required.
AICP certification, CNU accreditation, PTP (Transportation Planner), and/or similar is preferred, but not required.

Education and Experience:
PLANNER: Bachelor’s Degree in Urban, City or Regional Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field AND one (1) year of experience in development services or planning at the local government level; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
SENIOR PLANNER:
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban, City or Regional Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field AND eight (8) years of experience in development services, planning, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Information
Knowledge of –
Principles and practices of city planning, zoning, land use, land development regulations, architecture and urban design, form based and performance based codes, and familiarity with new urbanism principles
Comprehensive plan, community development code, and state statutes
NACTO and AASHTO design guides for urban streets, bikeways, and bike/ped facilities (Transportation Planner)
Report development and presentation
General office policies and procedures
Computers and general office equipment

Skill in –
Reviewing plans and recommending changes and updates
Analyzing data and applying information to zoning, urban design, and other planning activities
Reading and reviewing site plan documents, including surveys, civil and architectural drawings, and landscape plans
Project management; managing time and project load appropriately
Monitoring permitting and application status
Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, with strong public speaking and presentation skills
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
Operating a computer and related software including Microsoft Office 365; experience with SharePoint and GIS preferred