Urban Studies Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $69,302.27 - $107,424.51 Annually
Location : Development Services Department - 700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33311, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FP053-10
Department: Development Services
Division: URBAN DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
POSITION SUMMARY
The Development Services Department's Urban Design and Planning Division seeks an Urban Planner II.
The Urban Planner II assists in current and long-range urban planning efforts, including land development review and analysis and planning studies in support of new and updated programs and regulations, and customer support to applicants and the general public.
This job classification is included within the bargaining unit represented by Federation of Public Employees and therefore is subject to the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and Federation of Public Employees.
This is a Management Category IV position which includes five (5) additional Management Vacation Days and a Vehicle Allowance of $120/month.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Provides information, guidance, and advice to applicants and the general public in response to inquiries regarding land use, zoning, platting, development applications, and other planning matters
• Receives, reviews for completion, and processes development applications including evaluation of site plans, subdivision plats, rezoning applications, right-of-way vacations and other land development proposals; ensures applications conform with the City's development code, master plans, planning principles and the Comprehensive Plan
• Performs research, field analysis, investigation of land use, zoning patterns, and neighborhood characteristics; assists in the preparation of associated community outreach efforts, work products, and presentations
• Conducts studies; develops various maps, graphics, text and illustrative materials used in reports and presentations with the aid of applicable computer software applications
• Assists with collecting, assembling, summarizing, and analyzing basic data involved in planning, such as land use, population, economic characteristics, historic preservation, land development, and other factors pertinent to a master planning or a comprehensive planning program
• Conducts field surveys to assess context of development projects, may perform analysis on housing, business, commercial, and industrial development to assist with studies and staff report analysis
• Prepares written recommendations; writes memorandums; makes case presentations
• Represents the Department in an advisory capacity at neighborhood, city departments and outside agency meetings and meetings of boards, committees and the City Commission
• Performs related work as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS, PREFERENCES & WORK ENVIRONMENT
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, architecture or related area of study
2. Two (2) or more years of related experience.
3. Additional qualifying experience or completion of coursework at an accredited college or university in a job-related field, may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience or education.
4. To claim Veterans' Preference, candidates must attach to the application a copy of military separation papers (DD214) and service-connected disability documentation (if applicable) to meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by Florida Statues. For additional information, please refer to the (link: )

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification and/or registration as an Architect.

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.
PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time, but may walk or stand for brief periods of time, and may perform occasional outside work for site visits.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
HOW TO APPLY & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The City of Fort Lauderdale receives a high volume of applications, so not every applicant who meets the minimum qualifications will be guaranteed an interview. Candidates are selected for interviews based on how closely their education and work experience match the specific requirements of the position.
Applicants will be subject to an extensive selection and screening process, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written; oral and performance-based testing; skills assessment; interview; employment check, background investigation; medical examination; and drug screen. For Public Safety positions, the process additionally includes polygraph examinations and psychological evaluations. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.
All applicants, including current City of Fort Lauderdale employees, need to fully detail their work experience on the employment application. Applicants must ensure that all required documents submitted are in a format that is acceptable, clear, and legible. It is the applicant's responsibility to update their online profile with accurate personal information, work history, education, and certifications each time they submit a new application. Incomplete applications may result in disqualification.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Veteran's Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace.
For technical support with your application, contact 9 am to 9 pm EST, Monday to Friday, at (855) 524-5627 or email support@governmentjobs.com
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.
Click for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.
Click for additional Federation of Public Employees management benefits.
Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan!
Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Click for more information or to see if you qualify.
In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. All new City of Fort Lauderdale employees are automatically enrolled in FRS. Click to view additional information on the Florida Retirement System.
01
Are you related to any current employees in the Development Services Department?

• Yes
• No

02
Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning
• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Master's Degree in Urban Planning or related field
• Doctorate
• None of the above

03
How many years of professional experience do you have in urban planning, land use planning, zoning, or related planning work?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 8 years
• 8 or more years

04
How much experience do you have reviewing development applications such as site plans, plats, rezoning requests, variances, or other land development proposals?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

05
Please describe your experience interpreting and applying zoning regulations, land development regulations (LDRs), comprehensive plans, and development codes. Include the agency or organization where you obtained this experience.
06
Which of the following software programs have you used professionally? (Select all that apply.)

• ArcGIS
• ArcGIS Pro
• AutoCAD
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Bluebeam
• EnerGov
• Accela
• None of the above

07
How much experience do you have preparing professional planning documents such as staff reports, planning studies, technical reports, memoranda, or recommendations?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

08
How often have you presented planning recommendations before public boards, commissions, elected officials, neighborhood organizations, or community groups?

• Never
• Occasionally (1-5 presentations)
• Regularly (6-20 presentations)
• Frequently (more than 20 presentations)

09
How much experience do you have assisting applicants, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, or members of the public with planning, zoning, or development-related inquiries?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

10
Which of the following planning activities have you participated in? (Select all that apply.)

• Comprehensive Plan amendments
• Land Development Code updates
• Small Area Plans
• Master Planning
• Redevelopment planning
• Historic preservation planning
• Housing studies
• Transportation planning
• None of the above

11
How much experience do you have conducting research and analyzing land use, demographic, economic, housing, or development data to support planning recommendations?

• None
• Less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 6 years
• 6 or more years

12
Do you currently possess any of the following professional credentials?

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Registered Architect
• Both AICP and Registered Architect
• None of the above

13
This position may require field visits to development sites throughout the City. Do you possess a valid driver's license or otherwise have the ability to travel to various work sites?

• Yes
• No

14
Briefly describe a planning project or development review assignment that you are particularly proud of. What was your role and what was the outcome?
Required Question