Assistant City Planner ($7,000 RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE BONUS) Full Time NEW

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.

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.

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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.

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