PLANNING TECHNICIAN

JOB SUMMARY

The Planning Technician is an entry-level paraprofessional position that provides technical support for the City’s planning, zoning, historic preservation, and development review functions. Under the supervision of the City Planner and in coordination with the planning and development services staff, the position assists with reviewing and processing development applications, zoning compliance, historic preservation applications, property research, and customer inquiries.

The Planning Technician will perform routine planning and zoning activities using established regulations and procedures, while referring more complex matters and interpretations to professional planning staff. The position is intended to provide opportunities for professional growth through progressively responsible planning and zoning duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (examples, not all inclusive)

• Assist Planning Department staff with the intake, processing, and review of zoning, development, permitting, and historic preservation applications.
• Assist Planning Department staff with administrative and logistical support related to meetings and notification requirements. 
• Assist applicants, property owners, contractors, design professionals, and the general public with routine questions regarding Planning Department applications, procedures, and established development requirements.
• Review submitted applications and plans for completeness and, as assigned, compliance with established zoning and development standards.
• Perform progressively responsible review of routine site plans and permit applications for compliance with requirements including use, setbacks, building placement, parking, landscaping, architectural standards, and other applicable development regulations.
• Assist with the processing and technical review of Historic Preservation Commission applications and Certificates of Appropriateness under the direction of planning staff.
• Conduct zoning and property research using zoning maps, GIS, tax records, adopted plans, ordinances, historic preservation records, and other available resources.
• Identify applicable zoning districts, overlay districts, historic districts, and other established development requirements affecting individual properties.
• Communicate routine application requirements and identified deficiencies to applicants under the direction of the Zoning Administrator or other professional planning staff.
• Recognize issues requiring interpretation or professional judgment and refer those matters to the appropriate planning staff.
• Ability to attend evening meetings is required.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

This position generally requires, at a minimum, completion of an associate's degree in public administration, urban studies, construction management, social sciences, or a related field[AD2.1]. Two years of experience in plan review, zoning administration, building code issuance or surveying is also required. A bachelor's degree is preferred and may substitute for two years of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• General knowledge of planning and zoning principles and practices, or the ability to develop such knowledge through training and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret zoning maps, site plans, surveys, architectural plans, and other development-related documents.
• Ability to apply established ordinances, regulations, and procedures to routine development applications and field conditions.
• Ability to conduct property and planning research using GIS, tax records, ordinances, adopted plans, and other available resources.
• Familiarity with GIS and standard office software; experience with graphic, mapping, design, or CAD software is desirable.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain routine procedures and requirements clearly to the public.
• Ability to identify issues requiring professional interpretation or judgment and refer those matters to appropriate planning staff.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, work independently, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interest in planning, urban design, historic preservation, development review, or related fields is desirable.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office setting: frequent interruptions and many deadlines to meet. Ability to attend evening meetings is mandatory.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. 

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.