Senior Planner

Minimum Qualifications

Are you ready to use your environmental planning and review, policy implementation, and stewardship expertise to help shape responsible growth and protect Alachua County’s natural resources? The Alachua County Department of Environmental Protection and its Natural Resources Program Division is recruiting for a Senior Planner position to provide expert environmental-planning analysis that helps the County decision-makers make informed, legally defensible land-use and development decisions while protecting environmentally sensitive lands, species, and habitats.

Master's degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, environmental science, or related field, and one year professional planning experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre‑hire and ongoing are required. Positions assigned to the Department of Environmental Protection: A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7;
Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

This is highly responsible professional and technical work in a variety of County Departments. An employee assigned to this classification designs and performs difficult and complex planning research; prepares reports; assists senior professional staff in conceptualizing, formulating, and implementing the County's overall Comprehensive Plan, land development regulations, and other departmental policies and procedures; economic development and housing program activities; environmental and transportation impact studies;

developing and conducting research projects; supervising research project teams presenting research results and recommendations to management. Performs difficult and complex environmental trend analysis, performs difficult and complex transportation analysis, as well as detailed development plan analysis which culminate in comprehensive reports and presentations, as required. Work is performed under the general direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and the observation of results obtained.

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values. Coordinates and conducts extensive background research, surveys, and interviews and prepares reports on such areas as economics, the environment, land use, public facilities and infrastructure systems, planning law, urban design, social issues, and other planning concerns.

Conducts field investigations and interviews. Makes presentations to other members of the Department, Administration, and to elected and appointed officials and citizens dealing with factual information and predetermined policy recommendations. Reviews and comments on site plans and development proposals for compliance with County policy and sound planning…