Planning Technician I/II

The City of Rancho Cordova is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for a Planning Technician I/II position in the Community Development Department. This recruitment may be used to fill positions at either the entry (I) or journey (II) level, depending on qualifications.

Position Snapshot/A Day in the Life:
The Planning Department is seeking an enthusiastic candidate with a strong customer service mindset and a background in planning, permitting, or development services to serve as one of the primary points of contact at the Planning Department front counter. The incumbent will bridge the gap between the public and the Planning Division by providing information and guidance related to zoning, land use regulations, and the planning entitlement process over the phone, electronically, and in person.

The incumbent will assist with processing planning applications, reviewing submittals for completeness, coordinating application routing, and supporting planning staff on a variety of projects. Responsibilities also include monitoring the submittal of planning entitlements through the City’s electronic permitting system (EnerGov), performing basic plan review, researching planning-related inquiries, and supporting general planning activities.

The ideal candidate has two (2) or more years of experience providing high-quality customer service in a planning, building, or development services environment and demonstrates the ability to interpret regulations, communicate clearly, and work effectively in a fast-paced public counter setting. The most successful candidates are pursuing or have completed coursework in urban planning, architecture, engineering, or a related field, and are interested in advancing a career in municipal planning.

• Choice of a generous monthly stipend for Medical/Dental/Vision or Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Universal Time Off (combined vacation and sick leave)
• CalPERS Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500/fiscal year
  • The City of Rancho Cordova is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Alternate work schedules available
• Onsite fitness area & many more employee perks

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and change business practices.

• Serves as the first line of contact to internal and external customers on land use; provides information and direction to the public related to planning permit processes via phone, e-mail, and counter work.
• Reviews, interprets, and provides information and direction to the public regarding applicable local, state and federal regulations, codes, ordinances, documents, standards and guidelines.
• Calculates land-use related fees and provides fee estimates as requested; coordinates land use revenue collections with the City's finance department.
• Research, compiles, and analyzes data for special projects and various reports; creates and updates a variety of forms; maintains manuals and updates resource materials.
• Reviews applications, documents, and plan submittals to ensure accuracy and compliance with pertinent and established criteria; logs-in and coordinates routing of various plans and permits to appropriate departments.
• Perform minor plan checks, issues minor planning permits.
• Reviews commercial and home occupation business licenses for compliance with land use standards and regulations.
• Accesses, enters, and updates computerized plan-check data entry and tracking systems and provides information to the public relating to the status of projects and permits.
• May attend evening Planning Commission meetings to provide clerical support and serve as clerk for meetings in the absence of the Planning Commission Clerk.
• Prepares reports, memos, and letters pertaining to development review and permitting; collects, records, and balance permit-related monetary transactions.
• Promotes a positive City image by maintaining excellent internal and external customer relations; responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Planning Technician I

• Education: Equivalent to the completion of a high school diploma. College coursework in a related field such as urban planning, mathematics, construction, building inspection, drafting, architecture or plan review is desirable.

• Experience: Two (2) years of experience performing customer service and performing clerical functions in support of planning/construction/building/design trades or related fields. Experience in non-technical permitting, plan review, or inspection processes via an internship or similar work experience is preferred.

• License or Certification: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Planning Technician II

• Education: Equivalent to the completion of a high school diploma supplemented by college coursework in a related field such as urban planning, mathematics, construction, building inspection, plan review or other related fields. An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, or related field is desirable.

• Experience: One (1) year as a Planning Technician I with the City of Rancho Cordova, with demonstrated proficiency in processing minor planning permits/entitlements, including determining planning permit requirements, minor plan check, and estimating fees for planning entitlements, or two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience performing customer service at a planning/building permit counter reviewing building plans, issuing permits, explaining and applying applicable planning regulations, codes and guidelines, and working with database and permit tracking systems.

• License or Certification: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Depending upon assignment, work extended hours, including attending meetings during and after business hours. Requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; and strength and agility to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds. On a continuous basis work in an office environment sitting at a desk for long periods of time; travel from job site to job site sitting in a vehicle; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist while performing field work; may be exposed to dust, noise machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while performing field work; may work on uneven or slippery surfaces; and may intermittently perform field work while exposed to various types of weather including extreme heat during summer months and cold temperatures during the winter months. Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

FLSA – Non-exempt status