Planning Technician

This is complex administrative and technical work in the Community Development Department.  Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the administration of specific Community Development and Planning-related programs. Reviews and processes a variety of applications related to Department programs.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)

• Manages the intake and preliminary processing of pre-submittal applications, land use applications, and liquor licenses. Serves as the initial point of contact for those seeking land use or liquor license approvals. Negotiates and coordinates with applicants to ensure accuracy and completeness, reviews and researches compliance with regulations, follows up and tracks pre-submittal applications, and presents findings to the appropriate reviewers.
• Assists Planning, Building, and Engineering staff with the review of pre-submittal applications by giving additional comments and requesting necessary clarification, clearly and concisely summarizing verbal pre-submittal review comments, providing updates, and contributing to weekly staff meetings.
• Arranges and participates in face-to-face pre-submittal meetings; provides, explains, and clarifies formal application requirements, processes, and procedures.
• Provides support for addressing services and fundamental GIS needs.
• Reviews formal applications to determine if initial pre-submittal comments have been satisfied and that the proposed application reasonably matches what was reviewed at the pre-submittal meeting.
• Reviews and analyzes zoning, subdivision, variance, appeal, special use, site plan, and other land use applications for conformance with County regulations, State requirements, the Comprehensive Master Plan objectives, and departmental policies and standards.
• Reviews and analyzes building permits, sign permits, seasonal use permits, and other types of permits for conformance with Zoning, Subdivision, and other County regulations.
• Provides informational and technical assistance concerning land use issues including, but not limited to, zoning and subdivision regulations, development policies and procedures, and code interpretation to development professionals, the public, and County personnel.
• Researches project title and legal descriptions ensuring correct succession is maintained and that accurate data is entered.
• Processes applications relating to land use reviews.
• Assists with various projects including referral packets, adjacent landowner notifications, project closeouts, data collection and analysis, public notices, scheduling, and staff report packets.
• Performs public assistance functions such as providing customer service at the front counter and resolving phone-in questions and concerns.
• Provides support to boards and commissions.
• Reviews liquor license permits to ensure compliance with local and state laws.
• Supports and assists new employees as necessary.
• Coordinates, researches, and manages special projects as assigned.
• Designs various planning documents as needed.
• Researches and collects data for special planning studies and assembles findings for reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Works under general supervision with periodic review of work. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None.

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT:  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions.  Discretion and judgment required within the parameters of the job function.EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  A high school diploma or GED; college coursework in community planning preferred. A minimum of two (2) years related experience is required.  A combination of experience and education may be considered. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:    
•    Working knowledge of professional planning theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies.
•    Read and interpret plans, maps, permits, plats, zoning and legal documents, and regulations. 
•    Acquire and retain knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations related to the primary duties of this position.
•    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology.
•    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills:  
•    Work with the public in a courteous and professional manner. Provide professional customer service to clients, vendors, staff and public.
•    Ability to successfully execute many complex tasks simultaneously; with ability to work as a team member, as well as independently.
•    Bilingual in Spanish a plus.
•    Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as interest, proportions, and percentages.  
•    Basic to intermediate computer skills are required. Must have intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel. 
•    Must have the ability to grasp the complexities of computer-based systems and audio-visual equipment.
•    Ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written form.  Ability to effectively present complex information in layman’s terms.
•    Ability to read and interpret documents and procedure manuals.  
Abilities:  
•    Responds to supervisor’s direction and adjust work practices accordingly.
•    Establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships.
•    Effectively communicate verbally and in writing to exchange general information and follow written or verbal instructions.
•    Organize and prioritize work and to complete assignments in an accurate and timely manner
•    Ability to maintain confidentiality.
•    Ability to apply common sense understanding to the situations presented.
•    Ability to handle detail with accuracy and recall information

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Work Environment:  Work is performed in a typical office environment. Subject to interruptions. Frequent, in-person contact with coworkers and customers.

Physical Demands:  Work is primarily sedentary with heavy computer use. Incumbent is required to talk, hear, speak, and be understood. Frequent phone use. 

Material and Equipment Directly Used: Typical office equipment including but not limited to computer, iPad or similar device, desk phone, smartphone, copiers, printers, etc.