Chief Planner Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.
Job Description
General Functions :
Performs administrative and supervisory work for a major section within the Orange County Planning, Neighborhood Services, Transportation Planning and Zoning Divisions and acts as the project manager for the more technical / difficult work activities within that section.
This is responsible professional, technical, administrative and supervisory work involving the activities of one of the following sections: Research and Intergovernmental Coordination, Comprehensive Planning, Neighborhood Partnerships, Urban Design, Development Review, Permitting, BZA Coordination or Project Review.
Work is performed with considerable independence under the supervision of the designated manager. Performance is reviewed through observations, reports and results achieved.
Representative Duties/Assignments :
Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties, it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.

• Remains informed about emerging technologies and innovative programs, projects, and activities in other communities and organizations; then applies this information to the section's work program to continuously improve quality and productivity.
• Provides supervision and training to all staff members assigned to the section.
• Plans, delegates, schedules, reviews and edits all work products produced by the section's staff.
• Serves as technical support for other members of the section and for multi-disciplinary team projects.
• Coordinates section's activities with other department sections to ensure compatibility.
• Serves as one of the primary division contact persons with various components of the community and speaks before civic, community, governmental and professional groups and private organizations.
• Acts as projects manager for more technical studies assigned to the section.
• Works with neighborhood groups in problem solving, consensus building, vision setting, and developing recommendations.
• Makes recommendations and presentations to various County advisory committees, including the Planning and Zoning Commission, Local Planning Agency, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Development Advisory Board and the Development Review Committee.
• Tracks, reviews and summarizes proposed legislation on Growth Management and determines the impact on Orange County.
• Works with other departments in preparation of their studies/plans to ensure that such documents are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Prepares articles for journals, newsletters and other miscellaneous planning publications and presents programs and lectures at planning conferences.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the section in responding to customer problems and needs and is responsible for improving customer satisfaction with the section's products and services.
• Transfers ownership of products and services by empowering employees and their customers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :
Master's degree from an accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration or a closely related field and five (5) years of professional experience in a planning, land use or zoning to include one (1) year of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Preferences :
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification.
Experience with comprehensive plan updates.
Review of existing and draft legislation and propose modifications to County Code language.
Experience working with ArcGIS and project management platforms.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Grant writing experience.
Application Deadline
Open Date: 08/13/2026
Close Date: 08/30/2026
This posting is subject to close without prior notice.
Salary Information
Pay Grade: 021 - From $39.21 to $50.97
FLSA Status: Exempt
Placement based on Education and Experience
Sign-on Incentive
This position may be eligible for a Sign-on Incentive. To learn more about our Sign-on Incentive Program visit our website at:
http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives
Please note that current County employees are not eligible for a sign-on monetary incentive.
Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.

• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.
For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx
Veterans Preference
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder .
Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
Educational Requirements
If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) . If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.
Address
4200 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32839
Notes
Selected candidates will be required to provide employment references and will be required to complete a pre-employment drug, physical and background check.