Principal Planner

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Planner to join our team at the City of St. Cloud, FL. As a key member of our planning department, you will be responsible for performing diverse and complex assignments that require extensive coordination with City departments, local and regional jurisdictions, and agencies to optimize the effectiveness of the City's land use, infrastructure, growth, and development.

• Manage multiple development applications and special projects, coordinating with applicants, intergovernmental agencies, and professional affiliates.
• Act as team lead for lower-level planner positions, reporting team development and project status to the Planning and Zoning Manager.
• Conduct planning and zoning review for building permits and development applications, serving as a planning liaison for intergovernmental review and coordination.
• Provide professional and technical assistance to the public on planning-related inquiries.
• Draft technical and regulatory reports, including ordinances, moratoriums, staff reports, interlocal agreements, and development reports.
• Research and analyze data to inform strategic developments using statistical resources, including Census data and Geographic Information Systems.
• Make presentations to City boards, stakeholder groups, and the general public.
• Advise officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible alternatives.
• Prepare and coordinate amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
• Lead field surveys and investigations, collecting and analyzing data on economic, social, regulatory, and physical factors affecting land use.
• Draft ordinances and resolutions for review and approval.
• Provide technical support or serve as a technical expert to task forces, commissions, and advisory committees.
• Research grant sources and prepare grant applications, overseeing grant-funded programs.
• Represent the City at local, regional, and state levels for special projects or assignments.

• Bachelor's Degree in planning (Master's Degree preferred) from an accredited college or university, plus four years of professional planning experience.
• Active certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of public planning, statistical research methods, and laws and regulations governing planning in the State of Florida.
• Proficiency in productivity applications, including geographic information systems.

The City of St. Cloud offers a competitive wages and benefits package, including on-the-job training, seminars, and performance appraisals. Our benefits package includes on-site employee health care center, paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, medical and dental coverage, awards programs, deferred compensation plan, discounted automobile insurance, employee assistance program, flexible spending account, flexible work schedules, holiday bonus, and more.