PLANNER IV - 37020145

Requisition No: 872332 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PLANNER IV - 37020145

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020145 

Salary:  $50,000 to $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience. 

Posting Closing Date: 03/26/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Planner IV

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Division of State Lands

Land and Recreation Grants

Position #37020145

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of State Lands (Division) serves as Florida’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship and acts as staff to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. 

The Division’s work goes far beyond land acquisition. The Division oversees more than 12 million acres of public lands across Florida, including lakes, rivers and islands. These lands provide opportunities for residents and visitors to explore, connect with and appreciate Florida’s one-of-a-kind natural landscapes. 

The Division’s Land and Recreation Grants Section promotes programs that foster partnerships to enhance and sustain Florida’s natural and cultural resources and provide increased outdoor recreational opportunities for Florida’s residents and visitors. The Division’s Land and Recreation Grants Section is seeking a detail-oriented, reliable candidate to support its operations. 

• Conducts organizational studies and evaluations of office procedures, providing technical assistance and developing procedures to assist the Division of State Lands’ Land and Recreation Grants section, in operating more efficiently and effectively.
• This is an advanced planning and evaluation position performing functions under the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Act and Land Conservation Program.  The work is primarily focused on the evaluation and review of grant applications, management plans and stewardship reports related to the administration of a statewide land acquisition grant program for parks, open space, greenways and working waterfronts projects.
• Evaluates and analyzes applications for land acquisition projects from an assigned region of the state. Timely prepares correspondence and reports documenting the results of assigned work and maintains related files in accordance with applicable statutes, rules and procedures of FCT.
• Provides program information and technical assistance to interested parties regarding the preparation of grant applications, management plans and stewardship reports in accordance with applicable statutes, rules and procedures of FCT.
• Assists with the preparation of training materials, FCT’s Annual Report and other publications that provide program information and guidance for interested parties.
• Reviews and analyzes land management plans and stewardship reports for assigned projects selected for funding or acquired by FCT.
• Prepares written correspondence documenting the results of assigned review work and maintains files in accordance with applicable statutes, rules and procedures of FCT.
• Coordinates internally within the Department and with other FCT staff to complete work assignments in a consistent, effective and timely manner. 
• Coordinates externally with technical staff from other federal, state and local agencies, water management districts and regional planning councils in performing assigned work and providing program outreach.
• Conduct site visits of assigned projects selected for funding or acquired by FCT.
• Prepares written reports based on the results of the site visits and maintains related files in accordance with applicable statutes, rules and procedures of FCT.
• Provides FCT Governing Board support including the preparation of agenda materials and participation in meetings. Provides information and guidance to the FCT Governing Board on the extent to which grant applications, management plans, stewardship reports and other assigned work are consistent with and further applicable statutes, rules and procedures of FCT.
• Participates in professional development activities as directed in support of FCT.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Environmental issues involving park planning, ecology and/or natural resource management and planning. 
Skills in: Urban and regional planning and/or park planning and development; grant writing and/or grant evaluation; research, writing and/or publishing. 
Ability to: Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures; deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner; work independently; meet deadlines; plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally; use computer software applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

Other Requirements:

• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Travel
• Vendor/Invoice Warrant Processing responsibility, section 215.422, Florida Statutes (F.S.)
• Obtain within one year of appointment and maintain a Florida Certified Contract Manager certification, Subsection 287.057(15), F.S.

Pay:

$50,000 to $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Special Notes: 

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.