Zoning Counselor (Planner II)

Department: Planning and Development Services Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here. Planning & Development Services is looking for a Zoning Counselor to join our team! If you're passionate about land use, zoning, and community development, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Sarasota County. In this professional and technical role, you'll support the Zoning Administrator with the daily operations of the Zoning team, help administer and enforce the County's Zoning Ordinance, and work closely with residents, developers, and County staff to provide guidance on zoning-related matters. If you enjoy solving complex problems, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, and providing exceptional customer service, we'd love to hear from you. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to projects that shape the future of our community while working in a collaborative and customer-focused environment. The pay starts between $64,812.80–$80,828.80, based on experience. Apply today and help build a stronger Sarasota County! About the Position In this role, you will... Serve as the primary point of contact for zoning inquiries, providing guidance on property use, setbacks, and zoning regulations. Research, draft, and assist with updates to the Unified Development Code, zoning determinations, development reviews, and presentations to advisory boards and the County Commission. Support the review and processing of zoning applications, text amendments, appeals, and Board of Zoning Appeals activities. Represent the Zoning Division at development review meetings, workshops, and community outreach events, while collaborating with developers, neighborhood groups, and Code Enforcement. Assist the Zoning Plans Review team, provide technical guidance, monitor workloads, and help ensure performance goals are achieved. Identify opportunities to improve processes and support the efficient delivery of zoning services. Perform other related duties as assigned. About the Schedule Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( no weekends! ) As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency. About You To be considered for this role, you must have the following: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Geography, or a closely aligned and related field with 4+ years of related professional planning experience or experience in zoning administration, code enforcement with public agencies. OR: Master's degree may substitute for 1 year of the required work experience. OR: At management discretion, years of related work experience may be substituted for the required education ( this is processed on a year-for-year basis ). Valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire. The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities: Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration. Experience with zoning regulations, land use, property records, and related ordinances. Ability to read and interpret site plans, construction drawings, deeds, easements, and GIS mapping. Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills with the ability to explain regulations and work with a variety of customers. Excellent organizational and project management skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and flexibility to attend evening meetings as needed. Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years. Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. About Everything Else Starting Pay Range: $64,812.80 - $ 80,828.80, based on experience. Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s). If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents . You will need to present the following items on your first day: 1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.) 2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.) Benefits: Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! C hoose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits! For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit for additional information. Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!) ​​ A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team. We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different. Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353. Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at (keywords: ADA Compliance). Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.