Chief Planner

The employee in this class is responsible for performing highly responsible professional and supervisory work in developing and leading citywide planning efforts. Work is of considerable difficulty, and this employee will often be the team lead on planning projects, regulatory and policy amendments, coordination of various phases of the planning process, community engagement, and participation in analysis of municipal conditions/needs and development of plans. To perform assignments effectively, employees must possess considerable knowledge of city and regional planning principles and practices and possess or be capable of readily acquiring knowledge of broad program or subject areas associated with assigned specialty. An emphasis on coordinated transportation/infrastructure and land use planning; and possess or be capable of readily acquiring knowledge of City of Tampa program planning areas and implementation functions of municipal governments. Considerable initiative and independent judgment are necessary to ensure that activities are completed in accordance with plan production requirements. Work is performed under direction and reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

Serves as the Chief Planner for the Department/Division. Coordinates municipal urban planning efforts with governmental agencies.

Coordinates elements of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, including monitoring of plan elements and periodic evaluation and appraisal of the Plan with subsequent major updates and amendments. Coordinates elements of the City’s municipal code, including periodic evaluation and appraisal of the Code with subsequent major updates and amendments.

Oversees the preparation and maintenance of major citywide plans, identifying priorities and applying quantitative and qualitative assessments of strategies, develops and coordinates the implementation of strategic initiatives, including program development, evaluation, coordination, fiscal analysis, and monitoring.

On a project basis, oversees and coordinates with staff in: completing planning related projects, such as corridor planning studies and neighborhood / area-wide plans; and assisting with development of conceptual plans and designs; oversees and directs public engagement for planning projects.

Coordinates and reviews: development of short-range and long-range plans in conjunction with municipal officials.

Reviews and provides commentary relating to private development applications with strategic emphasis.

Participates in planning, directing, and overseeing the activities of departmental staff in: searching for, identifying and analyzing grant opportunities; providing technical assistance to departments in preparing grant proposals and coordinating the grants process through application, state and federal review, implementation and audit stages; maintaining a tracking status of all transportation grant activities.

Serves as liaison with other governmental officials, agencies, and neighborhood associations to coordinate planning efforts and to develop and maintain funding sources; prepares reports and correspondence.

Replies to inquiries from the general public and from governmental agencies on policy, petitions, ordinances, technical matters, estimated costs; coordinates present and future needs of the department with other agencies and stakeholders. Documents and tracks programs and projects for internal and external reporting.

Supervises professional staff.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of urban/transportation planning; federal, state and municipal legislation impacting municipal planning efforts; methods of collection and analysis of urban/transportation planning research; current literature and sources of information relating to urban/transportation planning, grants acquisition and administration, and project management; the geographical layout of the city; principles and practices of land use planning; legal terminology; methods and techniques of research, data compilation, analysis, and documentation; effective supervisory techniques.

Ability to: plan, assign, oversee, and coordinate the work of professional, para-professional, and clerical employees in a manner that promotes full performance; write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and prepare and present technical reports; conduct analytical research and studies and draw sound conclusions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, directors, managers and employees, officials of other governmental organizations, representatives of public and private organizations, and the general public; interpret grant requirements and write effective grant proposals.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, occasional outdoors and lifting, requires frequent use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in planning, public administration, engineering, or a related field and five (5) years of experience in urban program or project planning or a related field, including one (1) year in supervisory or project manager experience;

• Certification as a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Florida.
• If out of State certification or License, applicant must have the ability to obtain AICP or PE status within six (6) months of employment
• Possession of a valid drivers’ license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.