Senior Planner - Tallahassee, United States - Leon County Government

Description

Starting placement will generally not exceed 15% of the advertised initial salary range and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To serve property owners, residents, and land development professionals by ensuring that all land development proposals are approved consistent with the adopted regulations and to ensure the vitality of the community including both the natural and built environments by promoting awareness and compliance with adopted growth management ordinances and policies.

This position is more advanced and requires more experience in the planning field primarily in the role of site and development plan review, review of building permits for compliance with zoning and land use codes and assistance with revisions to land development codes, policies and procedures.

The position will frequently interact with the public and requires exceptional customer services skills.


NOTE
:

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The Job Description Questionnaire (JDQ) reflects a more detailed description of the position. Neither the job description nor the JDQ constitutes an employment agreement. Both are subject to change as the needs of the County and requirements of the job change.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Pre-development Land Use Review.

Review pre-development applications (PUV, RCC, LOZ, Project Status, Land Use Determination) for completeness.

Contact applicant if additional information is required.

Verify legal status of the parcel using zoning/development review maps, plat files, subdivision files, Accela database, property appraiser's internet database, and telephone or e-mail communication with the Property Appraiser's Office.

Ensures notice of issued PUV's, LOZ's and RCC's for public notice have met notification requirements.

Exempt Subdivision and Site Plan Review.

Coordinates the review of exempt subdivisions and the issuance of written PUV certificates on feasibility of development and necessary review processes based on the LDC and the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan.

Review/evaluate applications for exempt subdivision review consistent with and in compliance with PUV Certificates and procedures in the LDC and the Development Support and Environmental Management (DSEM) Policies and Procedures Manual.

Coordinate with County departments/divisions as well as with the applicants during the review to ensure final plans meet all applicable requirements for approval and prepare documents for recording and upload into the digital application portal.

Limited Partition and Formal Site and Development Reviews.

Review submittal application packages (application review and development review committees) for completeness and compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the LDC.

Coordinate with County staff, state and other local regulatory agencies and write a staff report documenting compliance, citing the appropriate code sections.

Performs assignments associated with site and development plan review and project management.

Manage development review project files including entering the required information in the Accela database as well as the digital application submittal system (DigEPlan) and assist the public with inquiries about project development.

Review applications for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the LDC.

Coordinate with County staff, state and other local regulatory agencies and write a staff report documenting compliance, citing the appropriate code sections.

Complete staff reports within established timeframes and present reports at ARM and DRC meetings.

Prepare letters of approval, approval with conditions or denial and send out required public notification in accordance with the LDC.

Service Advisor.

Answer customer phone calls and meet with walk-in customers and research answers to questions on land development regulations and applicability, other applicable policies, and pending and approved projects.

Research and answer questions raised by the public regarding land use issues.

Coordinate with other divisions/departments to address issues raised by customers that affect other County, State or Federal regulations.

Issue approvals for exempt processes such as Letters of Exception, Affidavits for Additional Dwelling Units, Certificates of Concurrency for low density dwelling units, and zoning letters.

Interpret legal descriptions and deeds to assist the public with property related inquiries.

Special Projects, Comprehensive Plan and Code Evaluation.

Review and comment on proposed Comprehensive Plan and LDC amendments and provide such comments to the Development Services Director.

Act as project coordinator and research, analyze and prepare reports for special projects as requested by the Development Services Director and Development Services Administrator.

Coordinate with the City of Tallahassee on requests for voluntary annexation.

Review applications for temporary uses and/or temporary staging areas for completeness. Review applications for on-site and off-site signs.

Provide customer service related to variances and appeals associated with the Board of Adjustment and Appeals (BOAA).

Review applications for completeness, ensure proper notification of public hearings, draft staff reports and present information at BOAA hearings.

Draft final orders for BOAA Attorney approval and update and close application file.


OTHER IMPORTANT OR MARGINAL DUTIES
Serves as back up to the Development Services Administrator.

Facilitates project meetings and pre-application and technical staff review meetings with developers.


DIFFICULTY
Work involves making determinations of which standards to apply to development and whether or not developments meet appropriate standards.

Manage multiple and overlapping deadlines which are established by ordinances.

Manages complex issues and recommends appropriate action related to development proposals.

Employee must make significant judgments as to whether or not development meets the spirit and intent of the Comprehensive Plan and Code of Ordinances.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervision Received
Duties are generally defined and require significant independent judgment in determining work methods for the accomplishment of desired results.

Employee must be autonomous.

Work requires that independent judgment be made regarding complex development issues. Guidance is sought concerning unusual conditions where making determinations based on existing regulations is difficult.

Supervision of Others
Employee serves in a lead capacity over Planner II's.


INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER CONTACT

Employee has contact with all types of people and departments within and outside the organization as well as the public for the purpose of giving, receiving, explaining and interpreting proposals and basic information, and coordinating projects and developments.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED

Use of office equipment such as computer, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, fax machine, basic calculator may be necessary, in addition to operating a car and/or light truck.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Most work is performed indoors seated at a desk. Some field work is required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive plan. Knowledge of general site plan design principles. Knowledge of general planning principles. Knowledge of word processing software to write reports and correspondences. Ability to write reports and correspondences. Ability to drive an automobile. Ability to implement site plan regulations. Ability to read and interpret site plans. Ability to effectively communicate with the public and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture, or related field and three years of related work experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Must have a valid Florida Drivers License and a favorable driving record.
American Institute of Certified Planner's Certificate or American Planning Association Membership preferred.
Selection Guidelines:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check, and drug testing.


FLSA STATUS:

Exempt.

Position meets the learned professional/administrative exemption where work involves intellectual work requiring the exercise of discretion and judgment, analyzing, interpreting and making deductions from varying facts and circumstances.

Employee also performs administrative work coordinating assignments among staff and serving in the absence of section supervisor.
Revision History :

October 1, 1997; October 30, 2001; November 17, 2003; August 25, 2006, December 28, 2022, January 31, 2024.

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