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Environmental Planner (Zoning)

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Environmental Planner (Zoning)

Salary

$24.04 - $36.06 Hourly

Location

Fort Myers, FL

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

07157LF

Department

D C D Zoning

Opening Date

06/11/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

This position in the Zoning Section of the Department of Community Development is primarily responsible for conducting environmental review and analysis of zoning applications to ensure the compliance with the comprehensive plan (Lee Plan) and Land Development Code (LDC). This position includes a mixture of office and field work related to zoning cases in various, sometimes strenuous conditions. This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills to work directly with a wide range of property owners, applicants, and professional consultants. Candidates must be comfortable with public speaking as this position involves presenting staff analyses and recommendations for public hearing zoning actions in quasi-judicial proceedings.

The Zoning Section is responsible for administering the Lee County Land Development Code and coordinating the review and analysis of applications for rezoning, special exceptions, and variances. The Zoning Section also administers the County’s Historic Preservation Program, prepares periodic amendments to the Land Development Code, and provides technical assistance to the County’s customer base.

At Lee County Government, we look to hire talented and innovative individuals who share our passion and want to make a lasting impact within our community. We offer our employees a premier place to work by providing competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, as well as being a participant in a robust State of Florida pension and investment retirement plans. Additionally, we strongly believe in cultivating long-lasting relationships with our employees through promotional opportunities and career ladders across our organization. At Lee County Government, we do this by supporting your career development and growth through mentoring programs and on-the-job training to help you achieve your goals. Every day at Lee County Government, you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference within our own community

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs research on the LDC, Lee Plan, and state and federal permitting as it relates to the environmental review of zoning applications of varying complexity.

• Prepares written environmental reports, makes recommendations for zoning applications, and presents expert testimony to the Hearing Examiner and Board of County Commissioners.

• Performs field verifications of species surveys, habitat maps, and other materials submitted in support of zoning applications.

• Maintains effective working relationships and provides customer service and technical assistance to landowners, applicants, consultants, and other county staff.

• Responds to public inquiries concerning environmental issues based on the standards and policies of the LDC, the Lee Plan, and state and federal requirements.

• Coordinates with other County sections/departments to facilitate comprehensive environmental review of projects.

• Assists with maintaining, updating and implementing the requirements of the LDC and Lee Plan.

• Performs related work as assigned.

Work is evaluated under the general direction of a supervisor and the section manager, who review progress with an eye toward attaining mutually-established goals and objectives and mentorship to facilitate professional development.

Education, Experience, Licensing

• Requires any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to:

• A Bachelor of Science Degree in biology, zoology, botany, environmental sciences, or closely related field; OR

• Associate of Science Degree in biology, zoology, botany, environmental sciences, or closely related field plus two years of experience related to environmental permitting, species identification, wildlife surveying, or closely related discipline.

• Experience conducting field work related to environmental permitting, species identification, wildlife surveying, or closely-related disciplines.

• Experience in land use, zoning, and/or historic preservation planning preferred.

• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is preferred.

Supplemental Information

• Thorough knowledge of Southwest Florida ecosystems, including identification of listed species and habitat, with willingness to continue learning.

• Ability to perform site field inspections to support the zoning case review. Ability to present information clearly in oral and written form.

• Thorough knowledge of state, federal, and local laws and regulations governing development practices.

• Thorough knowledge of environmental principles and planning practices in the area of specialization.

• Knowledge of basic zoning and land use planning principles and practices. Ability to manage several projects/assignments simultaneously.

• The work days and hours for this position are Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive, and affordable benefits package. Our Board works in the best interest of employees and strives to provide the most complete, high-quality benefits package available at the lowest possible cost to the employee. Our Board continues to remain steadfast in maintaining one of the lowest levels of employee costs in our area.

Lee County's benefits package is offered to both regular Full-time positions and Part-time positions that are regularly scheduled to work 60 hours or more bi-weekly. Medical benefits may be offered to On-Call, Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern employees who meet the Affordable Care Act eligibility criteria.

Lee County employees eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) are required to contribute 3% of each paycheck to FRS. If you have retired from the Florida Retirement Pension plan you will not be eligible for renewed membership in either of the FRS retirement plan options. Retirees of the Investment Plan are eligible for renewed membership in the Investment Plan only. FRS reemployment rules apply for both.

Below is a brief breakdown of what's included in the benefits package that is offered to our employees.

For a more detailed look into our benefits package, please click visit our webpage at https://www.leegov.com/hr/employees/benefitplans.

To view our employee paid premiums, please visit: https://www.leegov.com/hr/Documents/Employee%20Benefits/2024%20Benefits/2024%20Active%20Employee%20Rates.pdf

Health Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Plans include, but are not limited to: routine, preventative, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription drug benefits.

• Vision, Fitness, Weight Management, Natural Products and Services, and Hearing discount programs available.

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Medical Reimbursement Account

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

• Pharmacy, including Mail-Order Pharmacy

• Informed Health Lines (Nurse Hotline)

• Basic Life Insurance (1x or 2x Annual Salary at no cost to employee)

• Optional Life Insurance

• Long-Term Disability (60% of pre-disability salary at no cost to employee)

• Short-Term Disability

• Sick Leave Pool

• Flu vaccinations

• Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS)

• Two Retirement Plan Options:

1) FRS Pension Plan (Defined Benefit)

2) FRS Investment Plan (Defined Contribution)

• Deferred Compensation (457) Plans

• Financial Savings/Management Programs

• Eligible for membership with Suncoast Credit Union

• Employee Leave Benefits

• Holiday Pay - 11 Paid Holidays Annually

• Paid Sick Leave

• Paid Vacation Leave

• Bereavement & Civic Duty Leave

• Family and Medical Leave

• Military Family & Medical Leave

• Educational Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Services available to employees that offers guidance, support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential and provided at no charge to employees and their dependents.

United Way 2-1-1 (Lee County Employee Resource Program)

Lee County BOCC has partnered with United Way 211 to provide an Employee Resource Program which assists BoCC employees who may be experiencing distress due to economic hardship, health or other factors.

Educational Assistance

Reimbursement for coursework taken at an accredited college or university that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the official duties that the employees perform.

01

Do you possess any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Science Degree in biology, zoology, botany, environmental sciences, or closely-related field; OR Associate of Science Degree in biology, zoology, botany, environmental sciences, or closely-related field plus two years of experience related to environmental permitting, species identification, wildlife surveying, or closely-related discipline?

• Yes

• No

  02

  If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please explain your education and/or experience that qualifies you for the Environmental Planner Position in the Zoning Section of Lee County Community Development including employment history and dates. If this does not apply to you, respond with "N/A"

  03

  If you answered "no" to the question above related to your educational background, please indicate the post-secondary coursework you have completed (check all that apply).

• Biology

• Environmental Sciences

• Land use planning and zoning with emphasis on environmental planning

• Botony

• Zoology

• None of the above

• N/A

  04

  Please indicate the number of combined years of experience you have in the Environmental field that includes knowledge of Southwest Florida native habitat, protected species, and exotic flora and fauna.

• Less than 1 year

• 1 to 3 years

• 4 to 6 years

• 7 or more years

• No experience

  05

  Please provide a brief description of your experience conducting field work related to environmental permitting, species identification, wildlife surveying, or closely-related discipline.

  06

  Do you have any experience in land use, zoning, and/or historic preservation planning? If so, please explain.

  07

  Please explain your computer skills and the programs you are proficient in.

  08

  Please provide a brief description of your knowledge of state, federal, and local laws and regulations governing development practices.

  09

  Do you possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes

• No

  10

  The work days and hours for this position are Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Are you able to work this schedule?

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

Lee County Government

Address

P.O. Box 398 ATT: Human Resources Fort Myers, Florida, 33902

Phone

(239) 533-2245

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/leecounty

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