Principal Planner

About the role

The City of Panama City Beach is a fast-paced, rapidly growing municipality serving more than 19,000 residents and welcoming millions of visitors each year. We are seeking a talented Principal Planner to perform advanced and complex professional work in planning and development, including current and long-range planning.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the implementation of the department’s goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work plan.
• Develops and ensures that various operating procedures, standards, and guidelines are followed.
• Analyzes and reviews developmental proposals or applications such as annexations, zoning requests, subdivisions, development permits for compliance with appropriate planning principles, regulations, and policies, special events, temporary uses, liquor licenses, and other similar applications.
• Reviews sandy beach events/applications for weddings and fire pits.
• Assists the Building Division, Code Enforcement, and Business Tax Registration as needed.
• Researches information, formulates recommendations on planning issues, and prepares staff reports related to annexations, large- and small-scale plan amendments, large site developments, conditional uses, rezonings, variances, planned unit developments, and other similar applications.
• Attends meetings with applicants, developers, and other city departments regarding development requirements to obtain quality projects.
• Prepares technical staff reports and makes presentations to the Planning Board, Tree Board, City Council, or Examining Board as directed.
• Oversees and processes all development orders, large site development, planned unit development, signage, land clearing/demolition, fence permits, and similar permits.
• Prepares a variety of regular and special reports; prepares correspondence related to planning issues and projects.
• Utilizes GIS to produce maps and serves as liaison between the city and Bay County GIS personnel to update the city's zoning maps, future land use map, etc.
• Assists city staff, developers, architects, and the general public in the interpretation and implementation of the city's Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
• Facilitates resolutions to conflicting views on projects.
• Conducts site visits and field inspections of development projects to verify compliance with codes and approved permits.
• Participates in regional planning efforts and researches local, regional, and national planning issues.
• Reviews Building permit applications for compliance with Planning related requirements.
• Prepares maps and information for CRS (Community Rating System) updates.
• Supervises the Planning Administrative Support Specialist position, reviews associated applications, and assists as needed during the Specialist's absences.
• Researches and advises the department on the use of federal programs and funds.
• Conducts physical and socioeconomic surveys.
• Trains and provides guidance to less experienced planning staff.
• Makes presentations to the Citizen's Academy, local groups, and organizations.
• Serves in an acting capacity during the director's absences.
• Performs related duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional planning experience.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Florida for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification within two years of employment.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.