Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Development Services (Planning), or other professional planning staff as assigned, the Planning Technician provides information on General Plan, Zoning and other planning related policies and procedures to the public, city staff and representatives of other agencies. The Planning Technician also receives and processes various applications for planning approval and permits generally considered more routine and administrative in nature. The Planning Technician also provides a variety of technical tasks to assist the professional staff and may from time to time also provide administrative and clerical support services such as acting as recording secretary for the Planning Commission, taking notes, filing, posting notices, etc. as needed.

The position is assigned to the Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Planning Technician is a para-professional position for individuals lacking a college degree but whom, under direction, are capable of managing the less complicated and more routine tasks and duties as well as providing technical support services to the professional planning staff. Two or more years of experience at satisfactory or above performance as a Planning Technician and appropriate college degree (or successful completion of an accredited certificate program in land use planning, approved by the City of Turlock) will qualify the Planning Technician for Assistant Planner, if such position is available.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Answer questions and provide information to the public, via telephone, front counter and/or Internet.
• Assist in responding to requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public; providing basic property information and interpreting the zoning ordinance
• Evaluate and approve home occupation permits and business occupancies for business license issuance.
• Receive and process applications for less complex, more routine applications such as Minor Discretionary Permits, Minor Administrative Approvals-sign permits, temporary uses of land, seasonal sales permits, and the like.
• Conduct field surveys and compile property research, including zoning history, size, dimensions, development patterns, and land use and property ownership.
• Prepares written reports and correspondence, maintain a variety of records and files, and oversee the maintenance and updating of various city databases.
• Assist in preparation of reports to the Planning Commission and other bodies from time to time.
• Update and maintain statistical records, including but not limited to: land use trends, population trends, building permits, assessor’s map amendments, and development application activity.
• From time to time perform a variety of routine clerical work including, filing, billing, copying, and checking and recording information on various records, taking notes, preparing minutes.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• The rudimentary principles of public administration; record keeping and filing practices; and government practices and requirements.
• Land use planning and zoning concepts.
• Word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• English language usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment and machinery.
• Utilize various computer software programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Gather, prepare and maintain data pertaining to development projects and Division functions.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Education:

Equivalent to completion of sixty (60) semester units of college coursework in land use planning, environmental studies, public administration, economics, business, geography, social sciences, or a related field is required.

Experience:

One (1) year of experience in planning, administration, public administration, or a related field, preferably in local government, that involved heavy public contact and which provided the necessary skills and experience to perform the responsibilities of the position.

LICENSE

Possession of a California Driver’s License at time of appointment and the ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Vision adequate to operate vehicles and office equipment, read instructions and follow directions; hearing adequate to converse on the telephone and in person; body mobility adequate to drive and perform required office duties including reaching and bending for files and related office items; use of hands and fingers adequate for operating vehicles, writing, typing, computer, copier, and fax machine and related functions; ability to lift office files, binders and small office equipment, as needed.