City Planner I – Jacksonville, FL
The City Planner I position involves entry-level professional urban planning and regulatory work, including data collection, analysis, and preparation of reports to support city planning initiatives. The role requires applying knowledge of urban planning principles and local zoning regulations to assist in comprehensive plan updates, zoning reviews, and grant applications, while engaging with stakeholders and conducting field evaluations. This position offers a structured work environment with opportunities to influence city development and requires proficiency in planning software and effective communication skills.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role overview
Confidential Client is seeking entry-level City Planner I professionals to join their Planning & Development team in Jacksonville, FL. This full-time role focuses on urban planning and regulatory work including data collection, analysis, zoning and land‑use review, and preparation of reports and planning documents.
- Employment type: Full time
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Base salary: $56,895.20 per year (as listed)
- Hiring organization: Confidential Client
What you’ll do
This is an entry-level professional planning position. Typical duties include:
- Conduct field studies and stakeholder interviews; collect, clean and analyze planning data.
- Prepare recommendations for comprehensive plan amendments, re-zoning, certificates of appropriateness, zoning and concurrency reviews.
- Perform land use, site plan, and zoning reviews for compliance with local regulations.
- Assist with updates to comprehensive plan elements; draft sections and supporting documents.
- Compile and present reports, spreadsheets, graphs and statistical analyses.
- Prepare agenda materials for Land Use & Zoning Committee and Planning Commission.
- Prepare grant applications and related planning documents.
- Maintain project maps, charts and related files; use online GIS mapping tools.
- Provide technical assistance to the public, applicants and internal stakeholders.
- Operate a motor vehicle for site visits and use standard office equipment and Microsoft Office applications.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Foundational knowledge of urban planning principles, land‑use regulations and zoning codes.
- Familiarity with analytical and statistical methods used in planning studies.
- Ability to research planning issues, evaluate data and prepare concise written recommendations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with online GIS mapping tools.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to present findings to varied audiences.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle for field visits.
Minimum qualifications
To meet minimum qualifications, applicants must have:
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 30 semester hours in urban & regional planning, public administration, political science, geography, landscape architecture, architecture, historic preservation, environmental science or a closely related field.
- OR: One year of professional planning experience may substitute for 15 semester hours of the academic requirement.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and obtain necessary local driver certifications as required by the employer.
- Probationary period: 6 months.
Preferred / helpful background
- Coursework or internship experience in comprehensive planning, land-use analysis, zoning, site planning or GIS.
- Experience preparing grant applications or supporting public planning hearings.
- Comfort preparing reports, presentations and agenda packets for committees or commissions.
Working conditions & physical demands
- Primarily office-based with periodic field visits to project sites.
- Typical physical demands include extended periods seated at a workstation, occasional lifting of light objects, and on-site evaluations that may require walking over varied terrain.
- Work is performed under general supervision; assignments are guided by procedures, with latitude for applying judgment on methods.
Benefits & additional notes
- Competitive public-sector benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending plans and paid holidays).
- Public service employees may be eligible for long-term retirement and loan forgiveness programs consistent with employer policies.
- Certain veterans and eligible family members may receive preference in hiring; supporting documentation may be requested during the process.
Legal & compliance notes
- Confidential Client and Careertakes comply with applicable federal, state and local employment laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please advise if you require assistance during the hiring process.
- All hiring decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics. Required background checks, driver verification or certifications will be conducted in accordance with law.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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