Planning Technician

The incumbent is responsible for general office and project organization and providing administrative assistance to further the efforts of the Planning Office. The incumbent provides a large amount of information to the public, educating the public about City of Springdale's ordinances, regulations, zoning, subdivisions, and the review process is an essential role for this position.

• Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees (especially members of their own team), and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive.
• Work closely with the public on a regular basis to educate or provide customer service on planning issues and/or explain the intent and scope of a proposed development.
• Explain and apply appropriate City codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
• Educate and assist the public, other City departments, and other professionals by providing information regarding City ordinances, regulations, zoning, and review processes either by phone, in person, or e-mail.
• Inform engineers, surveyors, title companies, and the public of policy and code changes or revisions.
• Prepare the agenda for Planning Commission meetings.
• Assist in compiling minutes from the regular Planning Commission meetings, including verbatim minutes when requested.
• Conduct all liaison activities in a professional manner to ensure maximum cooperation between and among City and other agencies.  Ensure that all activities are professionally and ethically performed in accordance and within the law to protect the individual rights of all citizens in Springdale.
• Responsible for review and acceptance of applications submitted to the Planning Office.   Ensure application completeness and accuracy to determine whether in compliance with City ordinances, regulations, and zoning.   Confirm that all items meet the requirements of the checklist; i.e. fees, plats/LSD plans, completed application, and if they have notified the surrounding property owners.  Calculate fees due to the Planning office as established by ordinance and process following office policy.
• Advise applicants on corrections needed for the purpose of moving a project through the development process.
• Search official records from other governmental entities (locate property on the appropriate County Assessor’s parcel map and from property descriptions) and outside agencies to obtain and/or verify such information as the ownership, use of the property, and property boundaries.
• Conduct research by looking up history of previous actions including zoning, conditional uses, variances, splits, and etc. information for a given parcel number.
• Assist with site visits upon request to ensure projects submitted have adequate road frontage, adequate site distance for entering and exiting the site, have no structures within the building setbacks, and the layout of the land is suitable for the project.
• Maintain digital record of items submitted to the Planning Office, detailed planning record of information for planning applications for ALL TYPES of applications processed through the Planning Office; their status, dates received, and etc. for submittals.
• Compile reports upon request containing statistics on project type, number of lots or structures, and other statistics etc. that are processed through the Planning Office.
• Devote a significant amount of time on routine administrative tasks including data entry, file management, copying, answering the telephone, project tracking, and etc.
• Develop and maintain methods for filing, monitoring, and mapping developments.  Prepare and update files and records pertaining to projects submitted to the Planning Office.  Prepare maps, reports, statistical information, and other studies related to planning efforts.
• Index and file filed plats / LSD plans and distribute them to the appropriate individuals (inter- office and other state and local reviewing agencies).
• Assist the Planning Director or Assistant Planning Director in preparing agendas and background information for projects submitted for the Planning Commission meetings.  
• Assemble project submittals and related materials for distribution to other City departments and reviewing agencies for further plat / LSD plan checking.
• Assist in the preparation, production, assimilation, and distribution, for digital and printed formats, Planning Commission and/or work session meeting packets to the established Meeting Packet distribution list.  (Planning Commission, City Council, other City Departments, and utilities, outside agencies, groups and individuals, etc.). Meeting packet must include an agenda, staff reports and recommendations, copies of the plats/LSD plans for each project, and additional information as needed to provide Planning Commission members information for decision making.  
• Attend public meetings, assisting other planning staff as appropriate by providing technical support.
• Assist in the preparation of presentations, maps, and displays for meetings and hearings.
• Assist in the preparation of notification to applicants, designated representatives, surveyors, and engineers of actions taken by the staff and Planning Commission on submitted applications/projects, approval, tabled, or denial letter.
• Supervise, assign, and coordinate intern projects based on each of the interns’ schedules and abilities.  Assist in the coordination, assignment, and supervision of the work of planning interns, students, or other employees.
• Schedule appointments for self or appropriate Planning Office staff using the Microsoft Outlook calendar to meet with the public regarding any issues that they wish to meet with staff.  
• Agree to a Walk-in schedule with other Planning staff members to ensure that members of the public are able to speak with someone in Planning about issues they may have.
• Attend seminars and training courses to retain and put to use new ideas and skills learned.
• Review business licenses for zoning compliance.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

• College level Associate Degree (2 year degree) preferred with at least 1 year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid Arkansas Driver’s License.
• Must be proficient in the use of a personal computer, Microsoft Office Suite, ARC GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam software, online meeting platforms and standard office equipment.
• Must be able to operate and maintain city-owned vehicle(s).
• Ability to utilize both internal and external resources to obtain information and data necessary to carry out routine assignments and special projects. 
• Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and staff.
• Must have general knowledge of principles and practices of Urban and Regional Planning.   
• Must have the ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information. 
• Must have general knowledge of Planning Commission bylaws, operating procedures and the codes and ordinances of the City. 
• Possess the ability to read and comprehend codes, policies, specifications, legal descriptions, and boundary maps of real property, maps, and development plans and plats. 
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.  
• Must be detail-oriented and be able to multitask effectively.  
• Must be able to organize work and establish priorities.  
• Must be able to self- start.

Must successfully pass criminal background check, including but not limited to convictions, guilty pleas, or no contest pleas to violent offenses, theft offenses, and offenses against children.