Planning Technician

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Performs specialized research and administrative work to support the activities of the Current and/or Long-Range Planning Sections in the Planning & Development Department.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class assists professional planners and aids in the administration of particular phases of planning and zoning programs. Considerable public contact is involved in the pursuance of duties. Specific instructions are received on all new assignments; however, as experience is gained, the employee is afforded increasing latitude for the exercise of independent judgement in organizing and executing assignments within the framework of departmental policies and regulations. Successful Planning Technicians may be asked to perform professional-level (Planner I) duties of limited complexity as a trainee. Work is performed under the general guidance of staff planners. Reports to the Director or Deputy Director of Planning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and Tasks

• First point of contact for the Planning Division responding to general planning and zoning questions, via walk-ins, phones calls and emails; Informs the public as to planning policies; explains hearing procedures and requirements.
• Assists with preparation of and presentations for Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and other citizen-based boards and committees, as needed.
• Assists in preparing road and easement closings, and road renamings for public hearing and process road additions.
• Prepares and distributes zoning, subdivision and site plan submittals for Planning Division.
• Maintains zoning, subdivision, and site plan files.
• Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records.
• Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management (includes scanning/network file storage), copying and answering telephone.

• Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
• Prepares maps, charts, tables of limited complexity.
• Attends public meetings, assisting other planning staff as appropriate.
• Functions as the Departmental Technology Coordinator (Key Associate).
• Maintains and updates information on Departmental website.
• Maintains and updates Departmental public information materials and internal staff procedures.
• Performs other related work, as assigned.

• Considerable knowledge of subdivision and zoning ordinances.
• General knowledge of planning principles, purposes, techniques, and terminology.
• General knowledge of published materials and of general research areas as related to planning activities.
• General knowledge of the basic governmental and administrative framework in which planning operates.
• Ability to analyze assigned planning problems and to make recommendations for their solutions.
• Ability to organize, prepare, and present complete reports on previously assigned planning projects.
• Ability to conduct basic planning and research studies.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in planning, geography, business, or related field with some experience with public sector work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

OR

Associate’s degree or two-year technical college supplemented by vocational or technical training with at least two (2) years of development review/zoning inspection experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job

OR

High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years of experience in working with legal descriptions, deeds, plats, surveys, construction plans, and subdivisions.

Physical Demands
An employee in this position must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing. The employee must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force routinely and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force occasionally to lift objects.

May Require Driving
This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.

Special Note:
This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.