POSITION DESCRIPTION
Class Title: Planning Technician
Location: City Hall
Department: Community Development
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Planning Technician performs a variety of para-professional to professional technical planning duties and assignments in current and/or advanced planning. The Planning Technician is responsible for general office and project organization and providing administrative assistance to further the efforts of the Community Development Department, including the in-take process and the review of permits. The Planning Technician provides a large amount of information to the public and is a main point of contact for zoning and development questions and customer service.
This position focuses on specialized technical work in the implementation of the City’s land development regulations, zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. An employee in this position reviews building permit and land use applications for consistency with the land development regulations and the comprehensive plan; actively assists with zoning compliance and enforcement; maintains department files and records; assists in collecting and analyzing data for various planning projects and programs, prepares of Planning Commission and BZA agendas and minutes; greets and answers the phone regarding various questions concerning zoning and land uses; and, updates the City’s website.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Administrative direction is provided by the Assistant City Manager–Community Development and/or Planner.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Typical Functions
Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the administration of specific planning programs areas or ordinances.
• Receives, accepts for filing and processes a variety of planning and land use permit applications and reviews permits to ensure compliance with City requirements and for completeness of application and pertinent information.
• Reviews building permit plans and zoning permit applications to assure compliance with requirements such as use, bulk, placement, and parking ratios.
• Assists Zoning Administrator with enforcement of zoning ordinance violations.
• Processes minor planning applications and reviews business licenses and building permits for compliance with planning and zoning regulations.
• Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying and answering telephone.
• Maintains automated/computerized tracking systems, hard copy files and records.
• Prepares narrative staff reports and recommendations of limited complexity, such as special use permits and variances.
• Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
• Prepares public notices or property owner verifications.
• Prepares maps, charts, tables of limited complexity.
• Investigates violations of planning and zoning regulations and ordinances, including site visits, and assists Building Code Official/Building Inspector with compliance processes.
• Provides assistance in the preparation of agenda packets and posting of agenda for meeting before the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments; assists in setting rooms up for Community Development meetings and other related tasks as required
• Manages content of overall City website on City’s website platform, manages the Community Development Department’s webpage and assists other City Departments with website functions.
• Oversee the City’s social media outlets.
• Attends public meetings, assisting other planning staff as appropriate.
Typical Knowledge
• Knowledge of municipal planning and zoning principles and practices.
• General knowledge of zoning and development codes with the ability to interpret them for citizens and developers.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection.
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques.
• Statistical, algebraic or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which includes include Microsoft Office.
• Ability to read maps, evaluate site plans and understand legal descriptions.
• Ability to understand and implement oral and written instructions quickly and accurately.
• Ability to deal effectively, professionally and ethically with the public and government officials.
• Knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and the ability to understand and interpret various other codes such as adopted building codes.
Typical Skills
Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly to the public.
• Problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems.
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Thirty (30) semester hours of college level courses in Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field and one (1) year experience in Planning or a related field.
Experience is waived if the incumbent possesses a Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a related field.
Possession of or ability to obtain ICC Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector certification and ICC Zoning Inspector certification within (1) year of employment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Mainframe computer terminal; personal computer including word processing software; copy machine; postage machine; fax machine; motor vehicle; phone; tape measurer; and calculator.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments or construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or
caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related test may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of the specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.