PLANNING CONSULTANT - 37002206

Requisition No: 861041 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PLANNING CONSULTANT - 37002206

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002206 

Salary:  $3,972.33 - $4,277.90 Monthly (commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 09/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PLANNING CONSULTANT – SENIOR PLANNER 37002206

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The planning consultant within the Office of Park Planning functions as a senior-level planner. As a senior planner, this position facilitates the development of unit management plans for the Florida state park system; prepares unit management plan components and maps; communicates verbally and/or in writing to ensure receipt of all materials required to prepare and process unit management plans; gathers, organizes, analyzes, formats, and edits information used in unit management plans; evaluates each unit management plan for compliance with all applicable statutes, administrative rules, Department and/or Division policies, directives, and plan guidelines; coordinates the review of unit management plans by the Department; provides quality control review and assists other staff in developing and improving the planning product; coordinates the research, compilation, organization, and analyses of information used to produce the land use component of state park unit management plans; produces conceptual land use plans in graphic and text formats to guide the physical design and development of public use facilities in the state parks; leads or participates in land use and certain resource management planning and post evaluation efforts, conducts public workshops and planning focus group processes and facilitates staff and public planning and visioning exercises; assists with database management; assists colleagues with training, skill-building, and developing institutional knowledge.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles of conservation lands planning and physical land development planning.
• Conservation lands use planning techniques.
• Resource-based recreation research techniques.
• Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) plant communities and their suitability for land use.
• Distinctions between the different types of federal, state, local, and private conservation lands.
• The conservation and resource-based recreation role of the Florida state park system.

Ability to:

• Conduct and coordinate various planning and research projects simultaneously.
• Prepare land planning evaluations, meeting minutes, briefing reports, etc.
• Utilize ESRI ArcGIS Pro to produce maps and reference associated geospatial data.
• Conduct formal meetings and presentations.
• Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Utilize problem solving techniques.
• Communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and through graphic presentation.
• Work with various computer applications including the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Determine appropriate resource-based recreation uses, levels of use, and associated carrying capacities for park lands.
• Organize and facilitate planning and advisory groups.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Maintain a valid driver license.

• Effective communication – verbally, in writing, speaking, and through graphic presentation.

• Travel statewide for multiple days at a time in various environmental and social conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of verifiable related experience in conservation lands management and/or planning. Post-secondary degrees may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.  A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

Pay:

$3,972.33 - $4,277.90 Monthly (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:

Office of Park Planning

3800 Commonwealth Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, is situated in the Red Hills Region of Florida, known for its abundance of trees and hilly topography, approximately 20 miles north of the coast. It combines elements of urban living with convenient access to natural landscapes. Two major universities as well as the seat of state government are located in Tallahassee, making it an exciting mid-sized city with frequent community events and many amenities. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for candidates at any stage of their careers.

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.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.