Director of Planning and Development

Salary : $132,275.46 - $198,413.20 Annually
Location : Planning and Development City of Sanford, FL
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number: 26-00075
Department: Development Services
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/9/2026 5:30 PM Eastern

Description
Development Services Department

This is highly responsible management and administrative work in planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Planning and Development Department. Work involves responsibility for the administration and direction of all activities related to general planning services and land development regulations, including preparing the comprehensive plan, maintaining demographic databases, concurrency determination and presentation of reports to boards and Commissions. The Director must demonstrate effective performance through clear, concise communication; collaboration; proper allocation and utilization of resources; sound decision-making; personal accountability; and responsibility.
Examples of Duties

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.

Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures and programs, makes policy recommendations; develops program goals and objectives.

Develops, implements and maintains demographic, economic and capital improvement plans.

Directs the evaluation, update and revisions to the City's comprehensive plan elements.

Provides input in recommending the establishment, abolition or revision of ordinances, regulations, capital improvement schedules and other implementation methods for comprehensive planning.

Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the City Manager, Planning and Zoning Board, City Commission and other government officials or community interest groups.

Prepares and monitors departmental budget and prepares special reports as required.

Conducts special studies when directed by the City Manager or City Commission.

Confers with city officials, contractors, civic leaders and the general public regarding departmental operations; addresses public groups; attends professional meetings.
ADDITIONAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as directed when such duties are a logical and appropriate assignment to the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, or closely related field; supplemented by 8 - 10 years professional experience in land use planning, comprehensive planning, zoning, capital improvement planning, including high level supervisory and administrative experience.

Must possess a current and valid Florida Driver's License.

Employee shall obtain the National Incident Management System ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System and IS-700 National Incident Management System, An Introduction within six (6) months of employment. The following courses are designed to provide a baseline, as they introduce basic NIMS and ICS concepts and provide the foundation for higher-level Emergency Operations Center (EOC), MACS, and ICS related training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification.
Supplemental Information
Thorough knowledge of the current principles, practices and procedures of land use planning, development review, environmental licensing and permitting.

Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to comprehensive planning and land use law.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of supervision, organization and administration.

Considerable knowledge of budget preparation and administration.

Knowledge of office management theories, principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of pre-established local, State, and Federal policies, procedures and regulatory requirements applicable to the work.

Ability to utilize personal computers, standard office equipment and standard software applications, e.g., word processors, database software, spreadsheet applications.

Ability to perform research, analyze and present findings and recommendations.

Ability to communicate professionally verbally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected and appointed officials, employees, division and department heads, public/private sector contacts.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is rarely exposed to disagreeable environmental factors.

Part of the City of Sanford's success is due to the efforts and loyalty of employees of our City. The City of Sanford offers a comprehensive benefits package to its classified full-time and part-time employees, elected officials, and retirees.

City benefit offerings provide a competitive edge for employment recruitment and retention. In some cases the City funds 100% of the benefits; in most cases City subsidies are common.

Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Reimbursement Account, Tuition Assistance Reimbursement, FRS Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off (General/Fire Employees), Paid Sick Leave/Paid Vacation Leave (Police), Bereavement Leave, Paid Military Leave, EAP Program, Short Term Disability Insurance, Paid Employee Life Insurance (1 x annual salary), Paid Holidays, Paid Jury Duty, Worker's Compensation, Social Security/Medicare (50%), Protective Safety Equipment, Uniforms.

Supplemental Benefits

Hospitality Indemnity Plan, Personal Cancer Indemnity Plan, Critical Illness, Voluntary Employee Supplemental Life Insurance, Dependent Life Insurance, 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan, Short Term Disability, 10 Year Level Term Life Insurance.

Other Benefits

Fitness Center, Wellness Center for members of City's Health Insurance program, Wellness Incentive Program, Employee Assistance Program, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks, Direct Deposit, Employee Recognition Events, Free Flu Shot, Free Parking, Bi-Lingual Pay, Recruitment Bonus (Police), Safety Incentive program.

Flexible Spending Account

Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow employees to set aside dollars on a pre-tax basis to pay for dependent day care and medical, dental, and vision expenses that are not covered by insurance. Employees can contribute up to $3,400 on a pre-tax basis for medical expenses. Dependent day care expenses are set by the IRS at a maximum of $3,750 per plan year. Employees should estimate expenses to be incurred carefully, as penalties may be imposed by the IRS. For more information please contact our benefits department.
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• No High School Diploma and No GED
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters or Doctorate Degree

02

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Urban/Regional Planning, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03

What best describes your current and valid State of Florida Driver's License?

• No current and valid State of Florida Driver's License.
• Currently licensed, but not in the State of Florida.
• Current and valid State of Florida Class A Driver's License.
• Current and valid State of Florida Class B Driver's License.
• Current and valid State of Florida Class E Driver's License.

04

What best describes your years of experience related to land use planning, comprehensive planning, zoning, capital improvement planning, including high level supervisory and administrative experience; preferably with a local government?

• No Experience.
• 1 year, but less than 2 years of experience.
• 2 years, but less than 3 years of experience.
• 3 years, but less than 4 years of experience.
• 4 years, but less than 5 years of experience.
• 5 years, but less than 7 years of experience.
• 7 years, but less than 10 years experience.
• 10 years experience or greater.

05

Do you have an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question