Planning Technician

Position Summary:
The Planning Technician role is an entry-level position in the Planning Department that serves as the first line-of-contact for members of the public with the department. This role will provide internal administrative support for the department. This position also provides guidance and compliance review for land uses to the Unified Development Ordinance and Town Code of Ordinances for minor projects (e.g. addition, decks, single-family homes). Duties include conducting site plan review, assisting citizens and developers with various issues, assisting department staff with public noticing, addressing for newly created lots, providing administrative support to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council, assistance with Zoning & Code Enforcement cases, and other related tasks as assigned. A critical role for this position is providing excellent customer service on to the public and Town staff via telephone, email, and in-person. An ideal candidate is someone interested in the profession of planning and be asked to perform professional-level duties of limited complexity as a trainee.

Position Responsibilities:

• Responds as the first line-of-contact with the public for the Planning Department and directs customers to appropriate personnel as needed.
• Serves as primary back-up to Development Services to assist Permit Specialists with building permit intake and payment.
• Reviews residential and commercial building permits for compliance with the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Town’s Code of Ordinances and manages all related correspondence.
• Provides review of plot plans (e.g., additions, decks, new single-family homes), zoning compliance permits (e.g., food trucks, business tenant occupancies), and sign permits.
• Provides technical information to the public regarding land use development regulations and achieving compliance with Zoning & Code Enforcement cases.
• Provide administrative support to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council in the form of agenda packet preparation, packet distribution, and the taking of meeting minutes.
• Assists with maintaining the Town Addressing program, including assigning street addresses for all new structures; sets block ranges for new streets and adjusts block ranges as needed; notifies appropriate parties of new address assignments or address changes.
• Cross-trains with other department staff and assists as needed (e.g., Zoning and Code Enforcement and Comprehensive Planning).
• Attends evening meetings of the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council, as required.
• Provides general administrative support to Planning Department as necessary.
• Assists in resolving technical planning issues that may have unfavorable outcomes to the public.
• Applies professional and tactful communication to the public and Town staff.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Position Competencies:

• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems.
• Knowledge of land development regulation and processes and local government planning responsibilities.
• Understanding of online permitting systems and ability to operate them successfully.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection.
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations (e.g., calculating lot area coverage, using an Engineering scale, understanding linear distances/measurements).
• Knowledge of computer programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint, Internet applications, AutoCAD and GIS.
• Written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills to maintain a high level of customer service within a context of land use regulation.
• Ability to prioritize and work on several projects or issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment as needed.
• Ability to provide detailed review and comments on submitted plans and articulate issues of compliance to the public.

Experience Required:

• Associate degree or two-year technical college supplemented by vocational or technical training, with at least one (1) year of development review/zoning inspection experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.