Principal Planner

Salary: $77,420.00 - $102,770.00 Annually
Location : 110 SE Watula Ave, 3rd Floor, Ocala, FL 34471, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 08311
Department: Growth Management
Opening Date: 09/01/2026

Description

This is a highly responsible, technical, and professional position with administrative duties assisting the Planning Director in the monitoring and management of the planning division. This position reports directly to the Deputy Planning Director.

Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides direction in the review of all operations of the planning division including but not limited to zoning applications, amendments to the comprehensive plan, applications for variances and special exceptions, abrogation requests, annexations, site plans, planned unit development plans, neighborhood plans, redevelopment plans, and alcoholic beverage permits.
2. Provides coordination with City Departments and other divisions in the Growth Management Department in updating the City's land development regulations. Reviews and verifies all code amendments for consideration by the Deputy Planning Director.
3. Assists the Planning Director to update and revise the City's comprehensive plan including maintaining an ongoing surveillance of physical, economic, and social changes within the community.
4. Has sound knowledge of the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code regarding rules and regulations including procedural requirements and required the compilation of data and analysis, and compliance with requirements.
5. Provides staff assistance to the Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission, the Tree Commission, the Downtown Development Commission, the North Magnolia CRA Advisory Committee, the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board, and the Board of Adjustment.
6. Serves as project leader on various planning projects and studies.
7. Provides direct customer service to professionals, the public and City employees.
8. Assists the Planning Director and Planning Director in the annual preparation and submittal of the Department's budget and goals.
9. Provides training, guidance, and supervision for assigned staff and evaluates their performance.
10. Helps coordinate plans and actions with other departments and service groups.
11. Makes presentations to various boards and professional/civic organizations.
12. Prepares memos, letters, and other correspondence.
13. Reviews and comments on site plans according to Land Development Regulations, particularly in regard to general layout, landscaping, open space, and signage requirements.
14. Maintains the GIS maps and databases as needed. Designs and develops project maps and databases as needed.
15. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

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, or public administration. Master's preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years related experience and/or training.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience in urban planning or closely related field may be considered.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida operator driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• GIS application certification

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

• Advanced: Presentation/PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing
• Basic: 10-Key, Accounting, Alphanumeric Data Entry, Database, Human Resources Systems, Payroll Systems, Programming Languages

Supplemental Information

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT
None.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises up to 5 non-supervisory employee(s). Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and understand state law, common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

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 define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under 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 and general knowledge of traffic impact analysis.

DECISION MAKING
Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance which would have considerable effect on the final attainment of multiple major activities and the organization's projects of a large organization component and organization's 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
Oversight. Activities covered by expansive policies and objectives, and oversight as to execution and review. High order of analytical, interpretative, and constructive thinking in varied situations covering multiple areas of the organization.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS
Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

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.

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 talk or hear; regularly required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequently required to stand, sit; and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, 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, and color 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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Knowledge of relationships among different factors influencing urban development and among the general legal and social determinants of community development; the methods of conducting research and statistical analyses and the evaluation of research data; the general principles of and a familiarity with the techniques used in community and regional physical planning; and an understanding of how urban areas and their component systems function and grow.

Must have the ability to coordinate research studies and present effective presentations; supervise effectively the work of other planners; and communicate clearly and concisely in written and oral form.

Must have the ability to use all equipment related to computerized mapping including: personal computers, digitizers, laser printers, and plotters. Must be able to organize large amounts of land use data into both graphical and written reports. Must have working knowledge in the use of architectural and engineering scales.

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 MRI's, 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.
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