PLANNING MANAGER - SES - 37001076

Requisition No: 858451 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PLANNING MANAGER - SES - 37001076

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37001076 

Salary:  $73,000 - $80,300 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 08/24/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PLANNING MANAGER – SES - ASSISTANT BUREAU CHIEF (370001076)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview:

• The assistant bureau chief of the Office of Park Planning directs and oversees staff in the land use and resource management planning section of the Florida State Park System.

• The prevalent work product of this land use and resource management planning section of the Office of Park Planning is the unit management plan – an essential and statutorily required evaluation of needs and opportunities in the categories of natural communities protection and restoration, provision of public access, conceptualizing new infrastructure, and maintaining or modifying existing facilities.

• By leading the unit management planning process, this role contributes significantly to the fulfillment of the Florida Park Service mission to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.

Detailed Description of Responsibilities:

• Conducts public workshops and planning focus group processes and facilitates staff and public planning and visioning exercises. Recommends appropriate land acquisition and boundary alterations for the improvement of resource protection and recreation opportunities. Assists in conducting special studies to develop and maintain appropriate policies and guidelines for establishing carrying capacities and visitor use management strategies for units of the park system. Develops preliminary development cost estimates based on the conceptual plans created by the unit plan process. Coordinates with the Bureau of Design and Construction to ensure appropriate transition of projects from the planning to the design phase. Coordinates with the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources as well as district biologists to ensure protection of park resources. Coordinates with other DRP and DEP program areas as needed for the production of unit management plans or other projects as needed.

• Coordinates schedule of management plans and all aspects of the associated planning process, supervising office staff activities needed to maintain updated plans for the Florida State Park System. Facilitates and assists in resolution of land use planning and resource management conflicts.

• Assists in coordinating the administration and direction of the statewide planning program for the Florida State Park System to provide resource-based recreation and protection, conservation, and management of Florida's environment, with specific attention to the natural and cultural resources of the Florida State Park System.

• Coordinates the preparation, review, and promulgation of land management plans for properties under the management jurisdiction of the Division of Recreation and Parks.

• Assists in the oversight of research conducted on the distribution of outdoor recreation resources and facilities, patterns of outdoor recreation demand, and current and projected future need for additional outdoor recreation resources, facilities, and programs.

• Assists in the review of legislation affecting programs of the Division and Department relating to management of Florida's biological and physical environments.

• Prepares agenda items and support documentation for approval by the Acquisition and Restoration Council. Represents the Office, Division, and Department at meetings, workshops, and conferences, as required. Supervises other staff and coordinates team projects as needed. Assists staff in the preparation of correspondence and agenda items for the Governor and Cabinet. Prepares and reviews the preparation of general correspondence for signature.

• Supervises five FTE and five OPS staff. Reports to Bureau Chief for the Office of Park Planning.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of supervisory management.
• Principles of conservation lands planning and urban/regional planning.
• Land use and natural resources planning techniques.
• Florida habitats and plant communities and their compatibilities with proposed land uses.
• Statutes and Administrative Rules governing the purpose, planning, function and operation of the Florida state park system and the administration of Trustees land.
• State directives regarding personnel management, conduct, performance planning, and other key directives.

Skill in:

• Managing a cohesive team and establishing and maintaining highly effective working relationships.
• Designing, organizing, implementing, and supervising specialized land planning processes.
• Coordinating and conducting public planning and outreach workshops, forums, and meetings in a variety of formats and organizing follow-up activities as needed.
• Using various computer software programs, including geographic information systems (GIS) and the Microsoft Office suite.

Ability to:

• Work independently.
• Prioritize competing workloads.
• Supervise and mentor staff.
• Conduct and coordinate various planning and research projects simultaneously.
• Determine appropriate carrying capacities or visitor use management strategies for park lands.
• Analyze and consolidate information received from various program areas/subject matter experts in order to produce conceptual plans.
• Read and interpret various types of maps.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document workflow, and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices.
• Organize data into logical formats for presentation in reports, documents, and written materials.
• Conduct fact-finding research.
• Conduct public meetings.
• Utilize efficient and innovative problem-solving techniques.
• Understand and apply applicable statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to operational and management activities.
• Communicate effectively verbally, in writing, speaking, and through graphic presentation.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate numerous concurrent work assignments.
• Organize and manage performance planning.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

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

• Maintain a valid driver license.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least five years of verifiable related experience in land planning and natural and/or cultural resource management. Post-secondary degrees may serve as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. For foreign degrees, a credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted.

Pay:

$73,000 - $80,300 Annually

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 providing support and encouragement as you take on important and often complex projects while offering the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Division of Recreation and Parks

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.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

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

• Benefits of both annual and sick leave;
• 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.