Planner I

Community Builder

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville—you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it's a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department: GG_Sustainable Development: Planning

Salary Range Minimum: $48,214.40

Salary Range Maximum: $75,225.45

Closing Date: 05/20/2026

This is entry-level professional planning work in the administration of the City's planning program. Positions allocated to this classification report to a Team Lead and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its application of professional planning skills and technical nature in a team/project environment.

Prepares studies, reports, and recommendations relating to comprehensive, current, or environmental planning.

Processes applications for zoning, subdivision, and site plan approval requests and prepares preliminary recommendations for submission to City Advisory Boards and the Development Review Board.

Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with City policy and planning principles.

Interprets land development code, zoning ordinances, and grant requirements to City officials and the public.

Attends meetings of the City Commission, City Advisory Boards, and related committees.

Conducts public hearings and makes oral presentations.

Conducts field investigations and interviews.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

Maintains records and prepares periodic and special reports based on research, interviews or field investigations.

May lead, plan, and coordinate the work of a project team.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

Master's degree in Urban Design or City Planning, architecture, civil engineering, geography, landscape architecture, mathematics, planning, social sciences, urban design, environmental studies, urban studies from a program accredited by the American Planning Association; or

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, civil engineering, geography, landscape architecture, mathematics, planning, social sciences, urban design, urban studies, environmental studies, or a related field; and two (2) years of experience in urban design, environmental sciences, land use planning, or related field

Possession of an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, American Institute of Architects (AIA) certification, or a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) may be substituted for one (1) year of urban design or land use planning work experience.

Valid driver's license required upon appointment. Valid Florida Driver's License required within thirty (30) days of start date and at all times while employed in this classification.

Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of urban and infrastructure planning.

Knowledge of planning principles and practices applied to the collection of community planning data and to the preparation of community planning reports and studies in both graphic and written form.

Knowledge of zoning, subdivision regulations, and other development ordinances.

Ability to operate a personal computer and various software programs (to include but not limited to MS Office, Adobe CS, Plan and Designer Tool software, AutoCAD, ESRI, ArcGIS, or other relevant information technology in urban design and city planning).

Knowledge of economics, municipal finance, sociology, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, and civil engineering as applied to urban planning.

Ability to assist in preparing comprehensive master plans, housing and development plans, and to maintain them with technical accuracy.

Ability to participate in complex planning studies or elements thereof and to analyze information and make substantive recommendations based on such studies.

Ability to present ideas and findings clearly in written, oral or graphic form.

Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to interact collaboratively and productively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including elected and appointed government officials, Charter Officers, City employees, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.

Work may require the performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions and walking on uneven terrain during field inspections.

Required to work and attend meetings outside regular business hours.

The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans' Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans' Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans' Preference.