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

This is a professional planning position in the City's 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

1. Researches and prepares staff comments for zoning, land use, annexation, special exception, and variance cases.
2. Research specialized planning studies such as land use, traffic, economic base, utilities, neighborhood, and housing studies.
3. Reviews and prepares staff comments on site plans according to the Land Development Regulations.
4. Helps review traffic studies and coordinates comments with senior staff and other departments.
5. Researches and writes elements or revisions to elements of the comprehensive plan.
6. Performs annexation analysis.
7. Reviews and either approves or denies tree removal applications in accordance with the City's Tree Preservation Code
8. Provides staff support to one or more of the following city boards: City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Ocala.
9. Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Downtown Development Commission, North Magnolia CRA Advisory Board, Ocala Tree Commission or West Ocala Neighborhood Revitalization Council.
10. Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed.
11. 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.
12. Compiles and analyzes statistical information.
13. Identifies grant programs, prepares applications, and administers grants.
14. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

PLANNER II - ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Researches and prepares staff comments for zoning, land use, annexation, special exception, and variance cases. This duty is performed daily.
2. Research specialized planning studies such as land use, traffic, economic base, utilities, neighborhood, and housing studies. This duty is performed monthly.
3. Reviews and prepares staff comments on site plans according to the Land Development Regulations. This duty is performed daily.
4. Helps review traffic studies and coordinates comments with senior staff and other departments. This duty is performed weekly.
5. Researches and writes elements or revisions to elements of the comprehensive plan. This duty is performed monthly.
6. Performs annexation analysis. This duty is performed monthly.
7. Reviews and either approves or denies tree removal applications in accordance with the City's Tree Preservation Code. This duty is performed weekly.
8. 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.
9. Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed. This duty is performed weekly.
10. 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.
11. Compiles and analyzes statistical information. This duty is performed monthly.
12. Identifies grant programs, prepares applications, and administers grants. This duty is performed annually.
13. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

SENIOR PLANNER - ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 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.
2. Reviews and comments on site plans according to Land Development Regulations, particularly in regard to general layout, landscaping, open space, and signage requirements
3. Reviews traffic studies and coordinates with other departments.
4. 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.
5. Responds to questions or requests for information from the general public, other agencies, and staff.
6. Supervises preparation of all packets, advertisements, notices, and letters done in reference to the above duties.
7. 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 City's Land Development Regulations.
8. 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.
9. Supervises the Planner I, II and III positions, and the Site Inspector.
10. Makes presentations to advisory boards and citizen's 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 driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Supplemental Information

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENTNone.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESNone.

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

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLSAbility 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 RECEIVEDUnder general direction, working from policies and general directives. Rarely refers specific cases to supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization's 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 MAKINGPerforms 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 organization's clientele.

MENTAL DEMANDIntense 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 SOLVINGModerately 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 COMPUTERSOccasional 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 CONTACTRegular 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 CONTACTContacts 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, REGISTRATIONSAmerican Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIREDAdvanced: Presentation/PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing
Intermediate: Database
Basic: Accounting, Payroll Systems, Programming Languages

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE SKILLSNot indicated.

OTHER SKILLSNot indicated.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIESThe 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 CONDITIONSThe 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 INFORMATIONMust 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 INFORMATIONThis 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 prov