Program Planning Assistant Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $80,109.60 - $113,191.80 Annually
Location : 10770 W Oakland Park Blvd. Sunrise, FL, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-137
Department: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Division: PLANNING & ENGINEERING
Opening Date: 04/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: EMGT
Description
NEW RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE BONUS!
The City of Sunrise is now offering a $7,000 RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE BONUS to internal and external candidates who successfully complete the hiring process for this position.
ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Sunrise is more than a workplace - it's a community built on our Three Pillars: Customer Service, Collaboration, and Transparency. We're committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives, teamwork is celebrated, and every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact.
As a full-service municipality and one of South Florida's premier cities, Sunrise offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong culture of recognition. Whether you're helping residents, shaping policy, or improving city operations, you'll be part of a team that's passionate about service excellence and community pride.
We take pride in being home to the back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, a vibrant arts and entertainment district, and a diverse community that truly embodies what it means to Live, Work, and Play in Sunrise.
Effective January 2026, the City has launched an Alternative Work Schedule designed to further support employee work-life balance - providing eligible staff with two three-day weekends per month through an every-other-Friday-off model. This initiative reflects our continued focus on flexibility and employee well-being.
NATURE OF WORK
This classification involves planning work related to community development for the City. An employee in this position reviews rezoning, site plans, building permits, and other applications for code compliance; forms and revises comprehensive plan for the City; and assists with code standards and related projects. This position also responds to inquiries, oversees related databases, and coordinates related activities with other departments and agencies.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Participates in generalized and specific studies pertaining to land use, economic development, transportation, community facilities, water supplies, sewage treatment and disposal, and parks and recreation facilities in support of the overall comprehensive City plan.
• Reviews existing zoning provisions and makes recommendations for the revision of the Land Development Code and other ordinances.
• Reviews land development applications (site plans, special exceptions, variances, rezoning, etc.).
• Reviews administrative applications (group home approvals, alcohol license approvals, restaurant outdoor seating approvals, etc.).
• Reviews miscellaneous applications (extended hours licenses, pain management licenses, etc.)
• Reviews building permits (new constructions, renovations, additions, accessory structures, and signs) and engineering (restriping).
• Accepts submittals.
• Prepares related reports/documents.
• Assists with code amendments.
• Manages related databases; updates as needed (parking space counts, sign criteria, etc.)
• Coordinates, presents, and develops graphical and other support materials for meetings and public hearings.
• Coordinates related activities with other departments about related projects.
• Reviews inquiries from City departments and the general public; researches issues raised; and prepares replies.
• Reviews site plans for the Development Review Committee; performs site inspections as necessary.
• Collects, compiles, tabulates, and analyzes data and factual materials fundamental to a comprehensive planning and zoning program.
• Prepares draft agendas for Planning & Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment, and public hearing notices.
• Attends meetings of various assigned boards and committees as required to make staff recommendations and respond to Board questions.
• Communicates with other municipalities and regional organizations on related topics.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements
EDUCATION

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field preferred.
• Master's Degree desired.
• PROOF OF HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPLETED EDUCATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH APPLICATION. (Applications without attached proof of education will not be processed for consideration.)

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Considerable full-time professional level planning experience in the area of urban planning

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must obtain a valid Florida driver's license prior to hire.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certificate desired

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical:

• Light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to twenty (20) pounds. Descending and climbing stairways and extended periods of standing observation may be required during field activities. Must have the ability to safely operate a City issued motor vehicle.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory:

• The ability to perceive and differentiate visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Requires ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload and to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate while completing tasks within established time frames. It also requires interaction with employees from all City departments/divisions and the general public.

Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of urban planning.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding urban planning.
• Knowledge of economics, public finance, and sociology as it applies to urban planning.
• Knowledge of public administration with particular reference to city and municipal administration and management.
• Knowledge of research techniques and statistical methods.
• Knowledge of Florida growth management statutes and administrative rules.
• Knowledge of current technology, including Microsoft Office, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and permit tracking software.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering and architecture.
• Skill in using Office, GIS, and permit tracking software.
• Ability to organize and analyze information and formulate substantive recommendations.
• Ability to make minor decisions in accordance with procedures, laws, and regulations and to apply these to work problems.
• Ability to research and develop information from a variety of sources.
• Ability to express one's self clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively with general public.
• Ability to use tact and good judgment.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple high priority projects effectively and meet applicable deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, other City departments, management staff, employees, outside agencies, contractors, and the general public.
• Ability to withstand pressure of competing priorities and varied responsibilities.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to develop win-win solutions.
• Ability to effectively evaluate the impact of alternative possible courses of action on departmental operations, future developments, and circumstances of a new or unprecedented nature.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

BENEFITS PACKAGE SUMMARY
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
HIRED ON OR AFTER 10/1/18
The description of benefits for which, an employee may be eligible have been generally summarized in this information sheet for your convenience; however, you must refer to all applicable City ordinances, collective bargaining agreements and/or plan documents for specific terms and conditions. These benefits may be affected by future changes in policy, collective bargaining, City ordinances and/or legislative actions. The City reserves the right to increase, modify, decrease or eliminate benefits at any time. No benefit is created or maintained simply based on this document, and its contents do not give rise to any contractual rights related to continuing employment or receipt of benefits between the City of Sunrise and its employees. The information contained herein supersedes any prior benefit sheet(s).
The City of Sunrise is an economic powerhouse in western Broward County encompassing more than 18 square miles. As the host of Sawgrass International Corporate Park - the largest business park in South Florida - Sunrise has its own flourishing job market and currently employs approximately 1,100 employees and numbers continue to rise.
The City takes a very active role in business development, recruitment and prides itself on creating job opportunities for its residents. There are very few communities of similar size that welcome the tens of millions of visitors that we do here in Sunrise, or that can boast the magnitude of regional assets found in our City.
Our City shines and we understand in order to shine brighter; we must continue to recognize our employees as one of our most valuable assets. The City of Sunrise takes great pride in recruiting future employees and developing and retaining current ones by offering our comprehensive compensation and benefits package throughout an employee's career.
5% Supplemental Pay:
General Executive/Management employees shall receive a five percent (5%) supplemental pay calculated on the employee's base rate of pay.
City-Paid Medical Benefits:
• Group Health Insurance: The City pays for 100% of the cost for single coverage for
full-time employees and 66.66% of cost for Dependent/Family Coverage. Upon retirement and separation from City employment, employee receives a monthly stipend of $350 per month, applicable toward retiree health coverage.
• Life Insurance: $50,000
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): $50,000
• Eye Care Reimbursement- $250 every two (2) fiscal years (Employee only)
• EKG/Stress Test - Up to $150 reimbursement per fiscal year (Employee only)
• Physical Examination - $250 reimbursement per fiscal year (Employee only)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cigna Behavioral
Retirement:
• Employee Contribution = 8%
• Vesting = 10 Years
• Normal Retirement Benefit = 2.5% of pensionable earnings for each year of creditable service
• Average Final Compensation (AFC) = 3 best consecutive earning years
• Maximum Benefit = 80% of AFC, not to exceed $80,000.
• Normal Retirement = Age 62 and ten (10) years of creditable service
• Early Retirement = Age 57 and ten (10) years of creditable service, 3%
annual reduction for each year prior to normal retirement age
• 13th check based on monthly retirement, payable if the pension plan funding status is
equal to or greater than 100%. Paid in December each year following retirement
• Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) = 4 years/48 months maximum
Longevity:
Based on successful completion of full-time, continuous service with the City, employee shall receive the following:
Years of Creditable Service Longevity Benefit*
10 Years 2.5%
15 Years 2.5%
20 Years 5.0%
* Longevity Benefit calculated on employee's base rate of pay
Paid Holidays:
Employees receive the following City-paid holidays:
• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• 4th of July, Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
Annual Leave:
Annual leave may be taken as earned. Maximum accumulation each fiscal year is 360 hours. At time of resignation or retirement, employee is paid for all annual leave accrued at their current rate of pay. Annual leave is accrued based on continuous, full-time service with the City, as follows:
Completed Months of Service Total Hours/Days Accrued Annually
Up to and including first 60 months 152 hours/19 Days
Greater than 60 months through 120 months 192 hours/24 Days
Greater than 120 months through 204 months 232 hours/29 Days
Greater than 204 months 272 hours/34 Days
Annual Leave Cash Out (40 hours)
Employee can opt to receive a non-pensionable cash payment twice per year for up to forty (40) hours of annual leave, provided accrued annual leave bank does not fall below eighty (80) hours.
Annual Leave Cash Out - Department Deputy Directors Only (100 hours)
Option of receiving cash payment for up to 100 hours of accrued annual leave exceeding the applicable annual leave cap of 360 hours, paid at 100% of their hourly rate at the end of the fiscal year.