FELLSMERE – Planner II

Position Overview:

The City Planner is a critical contributor to the strategic vision, land use management, and sustainable development of the city. This position is responsible for analyzing current and future needs related to infrastructure, zoning, housing, transportation, and environmental protection. The City Planner works across departments and with community stakeholders to balance growth with livability, economic opportunity, and resource conservation.

The ideal candidate will be both visionary and detail-oriented—capable of translating broad policy goals into implementable planning actions while ensuring compliance with laws and codes. This role involves preparing complex studies and reports, facilitating public input, evaluating project proposals, and serving as a technical expert on planning-related issues.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Long-Range Planning & Policy Development

Lead the research, drafting, and updates of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, and sector-specific plans (e.g., housing, open space, transit-oriented development).
Analyze population growth, housing needs, infrastructure capacities, economic trends, and environmental impact to recommend sustainable development strategies.
Develop and propose planning policy recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and advisory boards.

2. Zoning, Land Use & Code Administration

Interpret and enforce zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, land development codes, and related policies.
Review applications for site plans, rezoning, annexations, special use permits, conditional use permits, and variances for consistency with regulations and planning goals.
Draft amendments to zoning codes and propose updates to address emerging trends such as mixed-use development, ADUs, and climate resilience.

3. Development Review & Urban Design

Collaborate with developers, engineers, and architects to ensure projects align with municipal design standards, community character, and infrastructure capacity.
Perform site visits, evaluate land suitability, and conduct impact analyses for development proposals.
Prepare staff reports with clear findings and recommendations for use by planning boards and elected officials.

4. Public Engagement & Communication

Plan and conduct community outreach events, charrettes, and stakeholder workshops to solicit public input on planning issues.
Communicate complex planning concepts in a clear, accessible way to a diverse public audience.
Represent the planning department in public meetings, neighborhood associations, business forums, and with media as needed

5. Interdepartmental & Interagency Coordination

Coordinate with Public Works, Engineering, Housing, Transportation, Economic Development, and Parks & Recreation to ensure consistent policy implementation.
Engage with regional and state planning bodies to align city projects with broader initiatives (e.g., MPO transportation plans, hazard mitigation, affordable housing strategies).

6. Research, Reporting & Grant Support

Conduct demographic, economic, and spatial analysis using GIS and planning software.
Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, environmental scans, and presentations for internal and public use.
Assist in identifying and applying for federal, state, and philanthropic grants to support planning initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, City & Regional Planning, Geography, Public Policy, Architecture, or a closely related field.
Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Certification:
AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification preferred or must be obtained within 2 years of hire.
Experience:
3–5+ years of progressively responsible experience in urban or regional planning, zoning administration, or a related field. Experience with municipal government or consulting preferred.
Technical Skills:
Proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS preferred), Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint), and planning/design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, InDesign).
Familiarity with planning tools such as traffic modeling, environmental impact software, or housing needs assessments.
Knowledge Areas:
Zoning and subdivision ordinances
Urban design and placemaking principles
Transportation and infrastructure planning
Housing policy and economic development
Environmental and sustainability planning
Public meeting facilitation and stakeholder engagement

Key Competencies:

Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and report writing
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
Analytical thinker with attention to legal, social, and environmental implications
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and ethical planning practices

Work Environment:

Primarily office-based with regular site visits and community meeting attendance.
Evening and occasional weekend work is required for public hearings and events.
May involve lifting planning documents and equipment up to 25 lbs.