Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical support duties related to the review and processing of planning applications for the Planning Division, and in support of related services and activities of the Community Development Department; provides customer service and technical support by phone, email, and at the public counter; assists with gathering, reviewing, and summarizing data required by professional planning staff; and performs related duties, and performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

This journey level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties in support of the City’s current and advance planning functions and professional staff. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Receives general supervision from higher level management staff, as assigned.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provides appropriate information and assistance at the front counter, on the phone, and through email communication by answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, land use, the City’s General Plan, current projects, and departmental policies and functions.  
2. Performs routine plan check functions for various projects; receives and reviews applications for planning permits for accuracy and completeness; issues various permits; routes applications to appropriate planning staff. 
3. Provides administrative support to professional planners on basic current and advance planning projects; provides assistance to project applicants; prepares and posts legal notices.
4. Researches land use and development entitlements; prepares documentation for lending institutions, real estate brokers, and property owners for approval by professional planning staff. 
5. May participate in the review of applications for building permits; within authorized guidelines, may approve routine permits; if outside scope of authority, routes permit applications to appropriate planning staff.  
6. Performs administrative duties including typing, filing, copying documents, and recordkeeping; prepares forms and provides graphic displays, photographs, or other exhibits as needed. 
7. Performs site inspections for entitlement projects and zoning compliance; documents and submits findings for action by planning staff. 
8. Conducts research for land use, zoning, advance planning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, economic, and environmental issues. 
9. Compiles information and data for reports; maintains a variety of statistical records; checks and tabulates statistical data. 
10. Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence, reports, notices, and other written materials, including proposed project and zoning letters. 
11. Maintains and updates zoning and General Plan maps. 
12. May perform field inspections to verify site conditions with respect to routine plan checks or zoning compliance letters
13. Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
14. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.  

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of urban and regional planning and zoning. 
• Basic concepts of architecture and landscaping, as they relate to the process of urban planning. 
• Land use, physical design, environmental, and/or social concepts as they relate to the planning process. 
• Principles of landscaping as applied to construction and maintenance of project areas. 
• Methods and techniques of conducting and documenting site inspections. 
• Methods and techniques of reviewing a diverse range of applications for accuracy and completeness. 
• City planning and permitting processes. 
• Mapping methods, practices, and techniques. 
• Organization, procedures, and operating details of the Community Development Department.
• Business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Business mathematics. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility. 
• Cash handling techniques.
• Communication skills and techniquesrequired for gathering, evaluating andtransmittinginformation.
• Operationsandorganizationalstructureofmunicipalgovernment.
• Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. 
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation. 
• Principles and practices of filing and record keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software. 
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Ability to:

• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public.
• Receive and respond to a variety of questions from the general public, contractors, and developers, or refer issues to higher level planning staff. 
• Read plans and specifications and make site visits. 
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, as well as City planning policies and procedures. 
• Review applications for accuracy and completeness; process and/or submit to planning staff for action. 
• Perform detailed, technical, and specialized planning and/or permit support work.
• Perform the full range of office and administrative support duties and tasks.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls, walk-up traffic, and other requests and interruptions.
• Conduct routine research on planning and zoning related matters and prepare findings. 
• Interpret and understand technical drawings, maps, site and building plans, and specifications. 
• Perform mathematical computations with precision. 
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems for assigned projects. 
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials. 
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.   
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

A minimum of three (3) years of experience providing responsible administrative and/or technical support to a planning or land development program.   The possession of an Associate’s degree or higher in urban planning or a related field may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.  

Training:

High School graduation or satisfactory equivalent.  The completion of an Associate’s Degree in urban planning, land development, or a related field is highly desirable.  

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a State of California driver’s license and proof of insurance.  

Special Requirements:

Employee in this class may be required to work extended hours including evenings andweekends.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics and physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Environmental Conditions:

Employees in this class generally work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing City-wide policies and procedures.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting including use of standard office equipment, including a computer; and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City development and meeting sites.  Vision is required to read printed materials and a computer screen.   Hearing and speech is required to communicate in person, and over the telephone.  Touch is required in order to handle documents, and use a computer.   Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.   Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds.  

Mental Demands: 

While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent in this class regularly uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets complex data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math, and mathe­matical reasoning; observes and interprets people, and situations; learns and applies new information; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions, and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with City management, staff, developers, contractors, homeowners, members of the public, representatives of private and public agencies, and others encountered in the course of work.  

CAREER PROGRESSION

FROM:Planning Technician

TO:Assistant Planner