Planner I / II / Senior Planner

Planner I / II / Senior Planner

Salary

$82,880.00 - $84,920.00 Annually

Location

110 SE Watula Ave, 3rd Floor, Ocala, FL 34471, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

82126

Department

Growth Management

Opening Date

08/21/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

This is a professional planning position in the Citys Planning Department carrying out research projects, independent studies, and responding to public inquiries. Planner I reports to the Senior Planners. Planner II reports to the Principal Planner. Senior Planner reports to the Planning/Zoning Manager.

Examples of Duties

PLANNER I - ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Researches and prepares staff comments for zoning, land use, annexation, special exception, and variance cases.
• Research specialized planning studies such as land use, traffic, economic base, utilities, neighborhood, and housing studies.
• Reviews and prepares staff comments on site plans according to the Land Development Regulations.
• Helps review traffic studies and coordinates comments with senior staff and other departments.
• Researches and writes elements or revisions to elements of the comprehensive plan.
• Performs annexation analysis.
• Reviews and either approves or denies tree removal applications in accordance with the Citys Tree Preservation Code
• Provides staff support to one or more of the following city boards: City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Ocala.
• Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Downtown Development Commission, North Magnolia CRA Advisory Board, Ocala Tree Commission or West Ocala Neighborhood Revitalization Council.
• Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed.
• Meets with members of the public, outside firms, other governmental agencies, etc. to verbally respond to questions on subjects relevant to a specific area or to planning in general.
• Compiles and analyzes statistical information.
• Identifies grant programs, prepares applications, and administers grants.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

PLANNER II - ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Researches and prepares staff comments for zoning, land use, annexation, special exception, and variance cases. This duty is performed daily.
• Research specialized planning studies such as land use, traffic, economic base, utilities, neighborhood, and housing studies. This duty is performed monthly.
• Reviews and prepares staff comments on site plans according to the Land Development Regulations. This duty is performed daily.
• Helps review traffic studies and coordinates comments with senior staff and other departments. This duty is performed weekly.
• Researches and writes elements or revisions to elements of the comprehensive plan. This duty is performed monthly.
• Performs annexation analysis. This duty is performed monthly.
• Reviews and either approves or denies tree removal applications in accordance with the Citys Tree Preservation Code. This duty is performed weekly.
• Provides staff support to one or more of the following city boards: City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Downtown Development Commission, North Magnolia CRA Advisory Board, Ocala Tree Commission or West Ocala Neighborhood Revitalization Council. This duty is performed weekly.
• Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed. This duty is performed weekly.
• Meets with members of the public, outside firms, other governmental agencies, etc. to verbally respond to questions on subjects relevant to a specific area or to planning in general. This duty is performed daily.
• Compiles and analyzes statistical information. This duty is performed monthly.
• Identifies grant programs, prepares applications, and administers grants. This duty is performed annually.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

SENIOR PLANNER - ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as staff to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, the Tree Commission, DDC and the North Magnolia CRA Advisory Committee. Assists in preparations of materials or information for the City Council. Makes presentations to Boards and Commissions.
• Reviews and comments on site plans according to Land Development Regulations, particularly in regard to general layout, landscaping, open space, and signage requirements
• Reviews traffic studies and coordinates with other departments.
• Reviews materials for presentation to Boards, Commissions, and City Council on rezoning requests, annexations, and developments of regional impact reports, shopping centers, PUDs, and subdivisions.
• Responds to questions or requests for information from the general public, other agencies, and staff.
• Supervises preparation of all packets, advertisements, notices, and letters done in reference to the above duties.
• Researches, prepares or supervises the provision of specialized planning studies such as land use, economic base, utilities, housing, and other short or long range reports. Researches and prepares new and revised ordinances to the Citys Land Development Regulations.
• Works with staff in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Has sound knowledge of the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code regarding rules and regulations governing the compilation of data and analysis, and compliance with requirements.
• Supervises the Planner I, II and III positions, and the Site Inspector.
• Makes presentations to advisory boards and citizens groups. Consults with state and local officials as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, geography, public administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1-year related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida operator drivers license with an acceptable driving record.

Supplemental Information

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT

None.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane, algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, working from policies and general directives. Rarely refers specific cases to supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organizations policy is required.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of employees, all performing basically the same type of work.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor importance and also frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance, either of which would affect the work operations of medium organizational component and the organizations clientele.

MENTAL DEMAND

Intense mental demand. Operations requiring sustained directed thinking to analyze, solve, or plan highly variable, administrative, professional, or technical tasks involving complex problems or mechanisms.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Moderately directed. Activities covered by wide-ranging policies and courses of action, and generally directed as to execution and review. High order of analytical, interpretative, and/or constructive thinking in varied situations.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Occasional personal computer support, technical help, and/or, basic software support, database analysis, level I technician, project coordination, installation and help desk.

ACCURACY

Probable errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and could possibly affect organization-patron relationship, involve re-work, or additional expenditures in order to properly resolve the error. The possibility of such errors would occur quite frequently in performance of the job. May also cause inaccuracies or incomplete information that would be used in other segments of the organization as a basis for making subsequent decisions, plans, or actions.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Regular contacts with patrons where the contacts are initiated by the employee. Involves both furnishing and obtaining information and, also, attempting to influence the decisions of those persons contacted. Contacts of considerable importance and of such nature, that failure to exercise proper judgment may result in important tangible or intangible losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Contacts with other departments or offices and also frequently with individuals in middle level positions; consulting on problems which necessitate judgment and tact in presentation to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken. Also, important contacts with associates as required in advanced supervisory jobs, plus frequent contact with senior level internal officials.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Advanced: Presentation/PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing

Intermediate: Database

Basic: Accounting, Payroll Systems, Programming Languages

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE SKILLS

Not indicated.

OTHER SKILLS

Not indicated.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk, or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor

weather conditions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Must be able to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written and oral form.

Must be able to think in terms of spatial relationships and visualize the effects of their plans and designs.

Must have strong analytic and problem-solving abilities.

Should be flexible and able to reconcile different viewpoints and to make constructive policy recommendations.

Must be able to work with others in-group settings and independently.

Must have strong interpersonal and customer service abilities. Has working knowledge of planning regulations, urban planning and

growth management laws in Florida.

Ability to apply planning concepts, practices, and procedures in performing the majority of duties while working under general supervision.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of neighborhood planning and historic preservation is highly desirable.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other city departments or governmental agencies, neighborhood groups, members of community-based organizations, developers, engineers and consultants. Requires occasional participation in public

speaking and presentation engagements.

Requires exercising judgment in applying the principles of planning and departmental policies and objectives to a variety of situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).

The City of Ocala provides a competitive, comprehensive benefit package for all full-time employees.

Health Insurance

We offer both single and family coverage, for employees working 30 or more hours per week.

Dental Insurance

For full time employees, we offer both single and family dental coverage.

Vision Insurance

For full time employees, we offer both single and family vision coverage.

Life Insurance

For full time employees, the City of Ocala provides Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberments policies as an employer paid benefit. Employees can opt for additional coverage such as supplemental voluntary life, spouse life, dependent life, and child life. For full time employees, the City of Ocala provides Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberments policies as an employer paid benefit. Employees can opt for additional coverage such as supplemental voluntary life, spouse life, dependent life, and child life.

Short Term and Long Term Disability

Offered to full time employees, STD and LTD coverages are income replacement benefits that assist policyholders who are unable to work for an extended period of time due to sickness or accidental injury.

Medical FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and Dependent Care FSA

Flexible spending accounts allow employees to pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses using pre-tax dollars.

Pet Insurance

We also offer special pet insurance for your pets in the case of illness or accidents, as well as preventative care.

Employee Health & Wellness Center

The City of Ocala offers the use of the City Clinic for those employees, and covered dependents over the age of 8, which have elected one of our health insurance plans. Services offered by the City Clinic include primary care, chronic disease management, labs, x-rays, and wellness coaching.

Voluntary Cancer Insurance

For full time employees, the cancer insurance policy can help provide security if you, or a covered dependent, suddenly become diagnosed with cancer.

Supplemental Critical Care Insurance

Our full time employees have the option of electing critical care insurance that is available to help with medical expenses that could arise from things such as a heart attack or stroke.

Supplemental Accident Insurance

Also available to full time employees, is our Accident Coverage. This supplemental plan can be used to help with expenses like MRIs, physical therapy, and hospital admission.

Legal Plan Insurance

Full time employees can have access to local attorneys for a monthly fee and receive discounts on services such as legal consultation, wills, traffic violations and the purchase or sale of your home. The carrier also has a separate policy assisting with the matter of identity theft and social media monitoring.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Deferred compensation is available to all full-time employees at the time of employment. This benefit allows the employee to defer income without paying taxes until money is withdrawn. Current plan is administered through MissionSquare.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit automatically deposits your net pay each pay period to your checking or savings account at your own financial institution. Direct deposit is a condition of employment for a person hired by the City.

Each pay period the employee receives an earnings statement showing gross pay, taxes, other deductions, accruals and net pay. Enrollment forms are available at Human Resources or Payroll.

Discounts - Theme Park

Discounts are available to all non-temporary employees at the time of employment.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is available to all full-time employees and members of your household as an employer paid benefit. The EAP offers emotional wellbeing support in the form as counseling sessions and all sessions are confidential. The EAP also provides daily life assistance, legal services, and financial services.

Holidays and Paid Time off

The City provides paid holidays and paid time off for full-time employees. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.

Retirement Plan

All full-time employees hired after 10/01/2013, apart from Sworn Police Officers and Firefighters, are enrolled in the 401a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with MissionSquare. All contributions to the 401a Defined contribution plan are pre-tax and earnings grow tax-deferred. The City contributes 8% and employees contribute 3%. City contributions are 100% vested after one year of employment. You will be enrolled automatically and should take time to review your investment options at your earliest convenience.

Training Programs

The City is committed to provide training programs for all departments and all positions. Risk Management conducts classes in Defensive Driving, Safety, and Insurance. With rare exceptions, classes are offered during working hours, and are open to all eligible employees.

Tuition Reimbursement

All regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a valid State of Florida Operator Drivers License with an acceptable driving record OR If you possess a valid out of state license, do you have the ability to obtain a Florida Drivers License prior to employment?

• Yes
• No

03

Please select your highest level of completed college education with major coursework in urban planning, geography, public administration, or related field.

• None
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

04

Please select the amount of related experience (as described on the job posting) you possess.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7+ years

05

If you feel you qualify for this position due to an equivalent combination of training, education and experience, please explain below:

06

I understand that all information I provide regarding my background, education, certifications, licenses, and work history is subject to verification once an offer of employment has been extended and accepted. I further understand that any false, misleading, or incomplete information, or the omission of relevant information, may be grounds for disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an employment offer, or dismissal from employment if discovered after I begin work.

• Yes
• No

07

I understand that, as a condition of employment with the City of Ocala, I will be required to review and electronically sign a Policy and Consent form related to the Lytx in-vehicle safety system. I understand that this consent includes acknowledgment of the collection and use of video, audio, location, and, where applicable, biometric data for safety, compliance, and operational purposes. I further understand that on my first day of employment, an email from noreply@lytx.com will be sent to my City of Ocala employee email address with instructions, and that the form must be completed within twenty-four (24) hours of my official start date.

• Yes
• No

08

Have you provided a complete employment and education history covering the past ten (10) years, or dating back to high school graduation, whichever period is shorter, within your NeoGov application and/or master profile? Please note: Resumes are welcome; however, they do not substitute for a completed application. Applications that do not include the required employment and education history, or that are otherwise incomplete, will be rejected and will not be considered for further review.

• Yes, I have provided a complete employment and education history and understand that incomplete applications will be rejected.
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Ocala

Address 110 SE Watula Ave

City Hall, 3rd Floor

Ocala, Florida, 34471

Phone 352-629-8359

Website https://www.ocalafl.gov/