DEFINITION 

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 Planning & 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, as assigned.
 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  
 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 

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.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

• 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.  
• 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. 
• Provides administrative support to professional planners on basic current and advance planning projects; provides assistance to project applicants; prepares and posts legal notices.
• Researches land use and development entitlements; prepares documentation for lending institutions, real estate brokers, and property owners for approval by professional planning staff. 
• Reviews applications for building permits; within authorized guidelines, may approve routine permits; if outside scope of authority, routes permit applications to appropriate planning staff.  
• Performs administrative duties including typing, filing, copying documents, and recordkeeping; prepares forms and provides graphic displays, photographs, or other exhibits as needed. 
• Performs site inspections for entitlement projects and zoning compliance; documents and submits findings for action by planning staff. 
• Conducts research for land use, zoning, advance planning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, economic, and environmental issues. 
• Compiles information and data for reports; maintains a variety of statistical records; checks and tabulates statistical data. 
• Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence, reports, notices, and other written materials, including proposed project and zoning letters. 
• Maintains and updates zoning and General Plan maps. 
• May perform field inspections to verify site conditions with respect to routine plan checks or zoning compliance letters
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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. 
• City planning and permitting processes. 
• 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. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility. 
• Mapping methods, practices, and techniques. 
• Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. 
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation. 
• Recordkeeping principles and practices. 
• Business mathematics. 
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.  
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed. 

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. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.  

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

Education: 

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by college level coursework in urban planning, drafting, land development, or a related field.  

Experience: 

• One (1) year of experience providing responsible administrative and/or technical support to a planning or land development program. 

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment. 

The physical and 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.   The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.  
 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.