Planning Technician

• Assists the public, property owners, business owners, applicants, and other interested parties by providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, application procedures, and applicable local and state regulations.
• Responds to inquiries in person, by telephone, and by email regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and other development-related matters.
• Provides zoning and planning information at the public counter and assists customers with routine planning and development questions.

• Receives, reviews, and processes routine planning applications and other land use-related submittals in accordance with established procedures
• Reviews plans, site plans, and other development documents for compliance with applicable zoning requirements and development standards
• Assists professional planning staff with the review and processing of development applications, permits, and other planning-related matters.

• Conducts research and gathers, organizes, and analyzes planning-related information and data in support of Planning Division activities.
• Conducts field surveys and site inspections to document existing conditions and verify compliance with applicable planning requirements.
• Prepares technical information, reports, correspondence, maps, graphics, exhibits, and other materials for staff reports, presentations, meetings, and planning projects.

• Prepares and disseminates public hearing notices, property owner notices, and other required planning-related notifications in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulations.
• Assists with community outreach activities related to planning initiatives, including public meetings, workshops, community events, and other engagement activities.
• Attends public meetings, workshops, and community events, which may occasionally occur during evenings or weekends, to provide staff support, distribute information, and assist with gathering community input.

• Assists with maintaining Planning Division records, files, databases, applications, permits, and other planning-related documents.
• Provides administrative and technical support to professional planning staff and assists with special projects and departmental activities.
• Adheres to City and departmental policies and procedures and performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:   Basic principles, practices, terminology, and procedures of municipal planning and land use regulation. General Plan, zoning, development standards, and related planning principles.  Basic principles of architecture, site planning, mapping, and development plan review. Research methods and techniques for gathering, organizing, and presenting planning-related information. Applicable local and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to land use and development. Basic map, site plan, and technical drawing symbols, terminology, and conventions. Principles and practices of effective customer service and public interaction.  Modern office practices, recordkeeping methods, and standard business correspondence. Computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, databases, electronic permitting systems, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  General organization and functions of municipal government.

Ability to:  Understand, interpret, explain, and apply zoning regulations, development standards, policies, procedures, and other planning-related requirements. Review routine planning applications, site plans, development plans, maps, drawings, and related documents for completeness and compliance with established requirements. Read and interpret maps, plans, technical drawings, property information, and other planning-related documents. Conduct research, gather, organize, and summarize data; and prepare routine reports, correspondence, notices, maps, graphics, and other planning materials. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Provide courteous and effective customer service to residents, property owners, business owners, applicants, developers, contractors, and other members of the public. Use computer applications, databases, electronic permitting systems, and GIS applications in the performance of assigned duties. Maintain accurate records, files, databases, and tracking systems. Exercise sound judgment and perform assignments within established policies, procedures, and guidelines. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, applicants, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and the general public. Attend and work occasional evening and weekend meetings, workshops, and community events, as required.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Graduation from high school or equivalent is required, supplemented by college-level coursework in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban or Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, or current enrollment and satisfactory progress toward completion of such a degree, is desirable.

One year of experience providing public counter, front-line customer service, or other customer-facing support is required. Experience in a planning, building, engineering, community development, municipal government, or related environment is desirable.
 
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:  
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required.