The City of Lake Worth Beach invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Landscape Planner.

This is a full-time, non-bargaining, Exempt, position. This position will work at the Utilities Building located at 1900 2nd Avenue North, Lake Worth, FL 33461.

In addition, this position offers:

• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City of Lake Worth Beach Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage
• Retirement Plan

JOB SUMMARY:

Under limited supervision, the Landscape Planner shall serve as the primary resource for interpreting, reviewing, updating, and enforcing the City’s Landscape Code as well as plans reviewer for all building permits that include a landscape component; assumes primary responsibility for landscape reviews of development applications; prepares staff reports, recommendations and presentations to advisory boards, the public, the City Commission, and neighborhood groups; may perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Reviews all new commercial and residential construction plans for enforcement of all landscape ordinances and horticultural practices consistent with City requirements and regulations.
• Inspects construction projects for compliance with approved plans and specifications.
• Collaborate with the Planning & Preservation Division concerning landscape permit applications and designs.
• Coordinates with the Code Compliance Division to identify and regulate landscape violations.
• Provides upon request presentations and lectures to various public community groups, garden clubs, etc.
• Handles landscape inquiries from the public.
• Serves as the staff representative and advisor to the Tree and Landscape Board.
• Attend public meetings and coordinates with civic and professional groups and other governmental agencies in the planning and development of City park projects concerning landscape.
• Other duties as assigned to the overall mission in the Community Sustainability Department.
• The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment in relation to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of comprehensive planning, zoning, sustainability and transportation planning principles.
• Knowledge of urban design.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations.
• Skill in using personal computers, standard and customized software application, common and specialized office machinery and equipment.
• Skill in research and technical analysis of planning-related information.
• Ability to communicate effectively graphically, orally, and in writing.
• Ability to make sound assessments and recommendations based on research data.
• Ability to work in a team environment with multiple disciplines.
• Ability to make sound decisions and work independently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of the workday.
• FACE Level I certification is required within one year of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Position involves detailed concentration for long periods of time in a modified office environment and will involve outdoor work sites. There may be occasional need for light lifting. The City of Lake Worth Beach promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory preemployment drug testing. This position may also require the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Landscape Architecture, Urban or Regional Planning, Architecture, Environmental Design or a closely related field, and two (2) years of progressively responsible working experience in a planning environment or any equivalent combination of training and experience. Master's degree in Landscape Architecture or related field is preferred. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners, Certified Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Landscape Inspector from the Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida, and/or Certification from the American Society of Landscape Architecture is preferred. A valid Florida driver's license is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is an office-based position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All full-time employees are considered critical in response to emergency situations and may be deemed essential as needed depending on the situation.

Employees in this position will be required to complete the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Certification Levels 100, 200, 700 and 800 within the first six months of employment. Certain positions may be required to attain additional ICS training as needed.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Lake Worth Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Lake Worth Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Applicants for positions with the City of Lake Worth Beach should know and be aware of the following:

Applicants for employment who become candidates for available employment positions should note employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all reference checks and pre-employment physical satisfaction. Upon request, information on the nature and scope of an inquiry will be provided under FS 119.

Furthermore, some of the job classifications within the City of Lake Worth Beach workforce are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements with a union. Consistent with Chapter 447 of the Florida Statutes, a bargaining unit employee has the right to join or not join the union. However, the Union is not obligated to represent a non-member.