Department:
Planning and Development Services
Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
Bring your skills and experience to a role where you’ll be rewarded from day one. This position offers a starting salary between $55,000 (Tier I) and $73,000 (Tier II), excellent benefits beginning within 60 days of hire, and an outstanding work-life balance. Sarasota has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top places to live in Florida, and now YOU can help shape the experiences of both residents and visitors.
As a Land Development Technical Specialist, you will play a key role in the review of site development projects to ensure compliance with the Sarasota County Unified Development Code, local ordinances, and state regulations. You’ll be part of a high-performing team that manages and reviews a wide range of development activities, including residential subdivisions, commercial projects, plats, right-of-way improvements, and lot drainage plans.
We’re looking for a motivated, detail-oriented professional who is passionate about shaping responsible growth in our community. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and contribute to a collaborative, forward-thinking team, we encourage you to apply today and join our dynamic team!
About the Position
As a Land Development Reviewer, you’ll play a critical role in shaping responsible growth within the community. You'll play a key role in helping ensure development projects align with local codes and standards, while serving as a resource to developers, engineers, and the public throughout the review process.
Key Responsibilities:
Plan Review & Code Compliance
- Evaluate land development plans, including site, subdivision, commercial, plat, and drainage proposals, for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
- Conduct research on zoning, floodplain, environmental, and historical site requirements.
- Guide applicants through permitting processes, code requirements, and application procedures.
- Provide accurate and timely feedback, cost estimates, and direction to keep projects on track.
- Coordinate with engineers, developers, and internal staff to ensure designs meet all required standards.
Field Visits & Project Oversight
- Conduct site visits to support inspection teams and verify project compliance before and during construction.
- Monitor right-of-way usage and drainage systems to ensure adherence to approved plans.
- Address community questions and resolve issues related to active development projects.
- Participate in pre-construction meetings to establish clear expectations and project readiness.
Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
- Contribute to pre-submittal meetings, plan reviews, and subdivision inspections.
- Act as a liaison between departments, developers, and external agencies.
- Collaborate with regional partners, including state agencies, cities, and counties, to support coordinated development efforts.
About the Schedule
Work Hours:
Full-time, 40 hours per week.
Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 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 -
Technical Specialist I:
- Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field.
- -OR- An equivalent combination of education and experience or technical, engineering-related project experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the degree.
- Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.
Technical Specialist II:
- BS degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a highly related field -AND- 2 years of professional-level civil engineering experience.
- -OR- Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for 1 year of required experience.
- -OR- Technical, engineering-related project experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, if candidates are not available who fully meet the minimum requirements of the position (6 years minimum of related experience).
- Possession of a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate granted by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
- Valid Florida driver's license by date 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.
- Prior related engineering work experience, engineering internship, or Engineer-in-Training certificate granted by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
About Everything Else
Technical Specialist I:
Starting Pay Range: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 based on experience.
Technical Specialist II:
Starting Pay Range: $63,000.00 - $73,000.00 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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
- 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! Choose 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 SCGov.net 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 scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
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