Planning Technician

About the role

The Planning Technician is a technical‑level classification that provides support to the professional Planner series. Under general supervision, the incumbent performs a variety of technical and administrative planning duties in support of current and long‑range planning activities, working under the direction of the Community Development Director or their designee.

Responsibilities

• Assists the public, property owners, business owners, applicants, and other interested parties by providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, application procedures, and applicable local and state regulations.
• Responds to inquiries in person, by telephone, and by email regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and other development‑related matters.
• Provides zoning and planning information at the public counter and assists customers with routine planning and development questions.
• Receives, reviews, and processes routine planning applications and other land use‑related submittals in accordance with established procedures.
• Reviews plans, site plans, and other development documents for compliance with applicable zoning requirements and development standards.
• Assists professional planning staff with the review and processing of development applications, permits, and other planning‑related matters.
• Conducts research and gathers, organizes, and analyzes planning‑related information and data in support of Planning Division activities.
• Conducts field surveys and site inspections to document existing conditions and verify compliance with applicable planning requirements.
• Prepares technical information, reports, correspondence, maps, graphics, exhibits, and other materials for staff reports, presentations, meetings, and planning projects.
• Prepares and disseminates public hearing notices, property owner notices, and other required planning‑related notifications in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulations.
• Assists with community outreach activities related to planning initiatives, including public meetings, workshops, community events, and other engagement activities.
• Attends public meetings, workshops, and community events, which may occasionally occur during evenings or weekends, to provide staff support, distribute information, and assist with gathering community input.
• Assists with maintaining Planning Division records, files, databases, applications, permits, and other planning‑related documents.
• Provides administrative and technical support to professional planning staff and assists with special projects and departmental activities.
• Adheres to City and departmental policies and procedures and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic principles, practices, terminology, and procedures of municipal planning and land use regulation.
• Knowledge of the General Plan, zoning, development standards, and related planning principles.
• Knowledge of basic principles of architecture, site planning, mapping, and development plan review.
• Knowledge of research methods and techniques for gathering, organizing, and presenting planning‑related information.
• Knowledge of applicable local and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to land use and development.
• Knowledge of basic map, site plan, and technical drawing symbols, terminology, and conventions.