Department:

Planning and Development Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Affordable housing is a top strategic planning goal for Sarasota County. As the Affordable Housing Strategist, you will encourage and create affordable housing and a more diverse housing inventory. The Affordable Housing Strategist will work with the development community and other agencies to bring forward innovative strategies that further the County’s affordable housing goals. If you're looking for a wonderful place to live, work and play - apply today with Sarasota County! Up to $2,000 relocation available for those moving 50+ miles to join the premier community where people choose to live, work, and play!

• Facilitate efforts by the County that advocate and incentivize the creation of a more diverse and affordable housing stock.

• Act as primary contact for projects, policies, and data related to housing affordability.

• Serve as staff liaison to the annual Affordable Housing Advisory Committee ( AHAC ) process and development of the Local Housing Assistance Plan .

• C oordinat e developer negotiation efforts related to the development of County-owned surplus properties and public/private partnership efforts.

• Serve as a member of the County’s Development Review Coordination team as needed .

• Represent the County at housing related organizations and events.

• Evaluate current policies, codes, and efforts related to affordable housing and incorporate findings to draft appropriate responses and recommendations for the Board’s consideration.

• Engage with the development community, non-profits, and other agencies to expedite affordable housing projects and ideas.

• Compile and analyze data that may impact the need for and preservation of affordable h ousing in the County and create reports, maps, and other visualizations to present and share findings. Related data may include, but is not limited to e conomic trends , housing costs, demographic characteristics , and land use trends.

• Track progress of dev elopments in the County with affordable housing components and coordinates with developers to ensure compliance .

  E-Work/Hybrid Work: Currently this position is eligible to e-work. After you complete your first six months, contingent on work requirements and other factors, you’ll be eligible for this fantastic benefit.

Work Hours: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

Planner II:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography or a major recognized by the American Planning Association as related field, and a minimum of four (4) years related professional planning experience.

• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of required experience.

• Planning experience can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending on the type of experience.

Starting Pay Range: $61,131.20 - $82,534.40/year, based on your experience.

Full Position Salary Range (future earning potential): $61,131.20 - $103,937.60/year

Planner III:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography or a major recognized by the American Planning Association as a related field, and a minimum of six (6) years related professional planning experience, of which two years have been in a supervisory capacity.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in large and complex projects.

• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of required experience.

• Planning experience can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending on the type of experience.

Starting Pay Range: $67,246.40 - $90,792.00/year, based on your experience.

Full Position Salary Range (future earning potential): $67,246.40 - $114,316.80/year

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Preferred Qualifications:

• AICP certification

• Project Management experience

• GIS Mapping experience

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! Starting January 2024, 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 (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.

• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes 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.

Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play!

Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work!

We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan.

“US News & World Report: Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live.”

We need YOU to help create wonderful experiences for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!