The City of St. Petersburg is seeking an experienced, responsible professional Planning and Development Director to organize, administer, and direct comprehensive urban planning programs including the City’s Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, historic preservations, land use, development, and planning review activities throughout the City of St. Petersburg.  The City is a prominent part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area located on Florida’s west coast, is the fifth largest city in Florida and the 85th largest city in the United States with a population of 258,000 and a land mass of 61 square miles. The City is governed by a strong mayor/city council form of government, and the Planning and Development Director is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the elected Mayor.  Work involves preparing and administering new and/or updated zoning and land development regulations; communicating with federal, state, regional, county, and local agencies, and the public, to exchange beneficial information, and discourse on City plans and policies; and program development, budget evaluation, contract negotiation and monitoring, and servicing contracted, professional planning projects. This position requires considerable initiative and judgment to formulate recommendations for policies, procedures, and programs, to improve efficiency and accuracy of data used for short-term and long-term city planning, residential and commercial zoning changes, and land use regulations. Work also includes discretion, dedication, and tact to effectively communicate, coordinate, and build cooperative relationships with citizens, outside organizations, business groups, other government entities, elected officials, lawmakers, City Administration and City Council.