"Alerted.org

Senior Planner

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakelandfl/jobs/newprint/5054070)

Apply



Senior Planner

Salary

$65,803.84 - $98,706.29 Annually

Location

Employment Services, FL

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

2056-11

Department

Community & Economic Development

Division

Planning-Development Svcs 1202100000

Opening Date

08/22/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is a responsible, professional, and technical position in urban planning and community development. Work involves conducting complex assignments that require considerable skill in research, analysis, and presenting data. Work includes developing specific plans, studies, and recommendations. Technical advice and assistance are given to neighborhood interest groups, property owners, and developers to address both community and development goals. Developing public and interdepartmental relationships is a key aspect of this position. Work is performed according to general instructions from a professional supervisor with considerable latitude for independent initiative and judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

+ Meets regularly with residents and development teams to review proposals to minimize neighborhood impacts and ensure compliance with land development regulations and other established City rules and procedures.

+ Gathers, analyzes, and presents data through written, graphic, or oral reports and recommendations for use before the neighborhood and civic organizations, citizen-appointed boards, and the City Commission.

+ Assists in preparing, reviewing, and updating the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

+ Performs research, planning, and technical analysis for complex planning projects and prepares reports, including demographic and statistical information for specific projects and general distribution to the public.

+ Participates in public neighborhood meetings.

+ Makes recommendations on zoning, land use, variances, or other use requests.

+ Attends neighborhood association meetings and community events, which often require adjusting work hours as needed.

+ May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.

+ May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

+ Position designated as Mission Critical by Department Director.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

+ May serve as technical advisor to the Planning & Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals, Historic Preservation Board, and/or Neighborhood Association Coalition.

+ Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

+ Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Community Planning or a related field, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Geography, Sociology, Public Administration, or other allied arts.

+ Four years of progressively responsible experience in roles related to planning, design, community outreach, and/or project management.

OR

+ Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Community Planning or a related field, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Geography, Sociology, Public Administration, or other allied arts.

+ Two years of progressively responsible experience in roles related to planning, design, community outreach, and/or project management.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

+ Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

+ Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.

+ AICP preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

+ Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning.

+ Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of site planning and urban design as applied to urban planning.

ABILITIES:

+ Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written and verbal form.

+ Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the general public, peers, supervisors, other city departments, officials, and government agencies.

+ Ability to carry assignments to completion through the formation of creative solutions.

+ Ability to plan, assign, supervise employees' work, and participate in technical research on economic, sociological, and development issues and solutions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

+ The job requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing sometimes, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, or routine keyboard operations.

+ The job has no significant exposure to environmental hazards.

+ The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.16%

Employer 15.66%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2025 is $23,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Urban Planning or a related field?

+ Yes

+ No

02

If you have a Bachelor's or Master's degree, please indicate the field of study for your degree. If you do not have a degree, please type N/A.

03

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in a recognized planning agency as a planner, designer and/or project manager?

+ No experience

+ Some experience, but less than 2 years

+ At least 2 years, but less than 4 years

+ 4 years or more

04

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

05

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address

500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone

(863)834-8790

Website

http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices