PLANNING CONSULTANT - 37020959

Requisition No: 843957 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PLANNING CONSULTANT - 37020959

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020959 

Salary:  $52,000 to $55,000 

Posting Closing Date: 01/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Planning Consultant - 37020959

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Resilient Florida Program – Planning and Policy Section

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

The Resilient Florida Program was established during the 2021 Legislative Session with the passage of SB1954/HB7019 and the creation of section 380.093, Florida Statutes. This legislation will ensure that communities have the resources they need for resilience planning and project implementation as well as creating a framework for a cohesive, coordinated approach to address the impacts of sea level rise, effects of intensified storms and localized flooding.

The program will administer the Resilient Florida Grant Program, complete a comprehensive statewide flood vulnerability and sea level rise data set and assessment, develop annual Resilience Plans consisting of prioritized projects for funding consideration, support Regional Resilience Entities and collaborate with the Florida Flood Hub of Applied Research and Innovation.  The program will include sections devoted to planning, grant and budget management, technical support and data management.

How You Will Grow:

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, 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.  Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, 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.  Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. 

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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

Pay:

$52,000 – 55,000

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional planning and consultant position in the Resilient Florida Program responsible for coordinating and implementing the program’s role in community and coastal resilience planning initiatives. The position is responsible for assisting and consulting with Resilience Planning Grant applicants and recipients in the development of comprehensive plan amendments that address resilience to flooding, including but not limited to those required by the Peril of Flood statute (Chapter 163.3178(f), F.S.) This position involves exercising independent judgment and requires professional experience in community planning, interagency coordination, partnership development and the provision of technical assistance to local governments.

• Provides consultative analysis and technical assistance to local governments on coastal flooding and sea level rise adaptation planning.
• Coordinates and assists other planners and staff on community and coastal planning issues.
• Independently evaluates comprehensive plans, plan amendments and other documents submitted as Resilient Florida Planning Grant deliverables, including reviewing for consistency with the approved scope of work.
• For deliverables, prepares reports summarizing the issues; analyzing consistency with growth management laws; identifying strategies to achieve consistency with state laws; and making recommendations for resolving issues with local governments and interested parties. Will also make recommendations to the Planning and Policy Environmental Administrator regarding consistency amongst deliverables.
• Coordinates and participates in future coastal planning initiatives developed in partnership with other local, regional, state, and federal programs as approved for participation by management.
• Assists with coordinating, reviewing, and ranking proposed Resilient Florida Planning Grant and Resilient Florida Infrastructure Grant requests.
• Participates as the Department representative in interagency meetings and public meetings as needed.
• Participates in conferences, workshops, inter-agency committees, and similar activities relevant to the position.
• Works with other staff members to ensure planning coordination among functional areas.
• Prepares and maintains accurate reports and records describing resilience planning activities.
• Coordinates drafting of scopes of work for Resilient Florida Planning Grant agreements and coordinates with grantees as needed to finalize scopes of work.
• Acts as the primary contact for assigned Resilience Planning Grants
• Serves as the lead on rulemaking when necessary.
• Coordinates with webmaster for updates to websites as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of urban and regional planning concepts
• Knowledge of coastal resiliency planning practices
• Knowledge of sea level rise adaptation practices
• Knowledge of post-disaster planning practices
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in growth management
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in applying Chapters 163 and 380, F.S.
• Knowledge of Florida’s rulemaking and legislative processes
• Knowledge of the development process and permitting programs
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and negotiate effectively
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ArcGIS
• Ability to apply planning methodologies
• Ability to apply critical thinking for planning problems
• Ability to independently exercise sound judgment performing duties
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and manage time efficiently
• Ability to provide technical assistance to Department staff, local governments, and other external stakeholders
• Ability to develop and provide presentations to the public
• Ability to represent the Department on committees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of verifiable related experience, or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, a total of eight years.
• Ability to travel.
• A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AICP professional preferred
• Certified Floodplain Manager preferred

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

Contact Information

Richard Sanborn, HR Liaison 

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Richard.Sanborn@FloridaDEP.gov

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.