Planning Technician - Temporary

The City of San Luis Obispo currently has an opening for a temporary Planning Technicianin the Community Development Department.

This is a temporary position anticipated to last up to 6 months.The successful candidate may be eligible for benefits through the Affordable Care Act.

JOB SUMMARY:
To perform technical planning work including assisting the public with planning, housing programs, and application information; support housing related research, grant management and tracking; conduct field inspections; prepare planning reports; prepare various illustrations for planning activities; assist in the development and implementation of procedures for maintaining property, administrative and infrastructure data records; mapping projects utilizing conventional and computer assisted techniques; review and evaluation of land use and permit applications; Responsibility areas can include long range planning activities, general plan amendments, project design, and moderately complex as well as routine current planning projects.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
Planning Technician is the entry-level classification in this series. Incumbents perform prescribed technical planning work that is limited in scope, with minimal exceptions to standard procedures.SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Employees in these classifications receive general direction from a Senior Planner or Housing Policy and Programs Manager. Entry level employees (Planning Technician) may work under the direction of a Senior Planner within a framework of standard policies and procedures.
Employees in these classifications are not directly responsible for supervision of other planning staff, although they may provide supervision of work product to technical or intern staff.EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Assists and answers public inquiries at permit information counter.
• Coordinates and assists with housing inventories, reporting, grant tracking, below market rate housing support and assisting members of the public with information on the City’s housing programs.
• Reconciles new Assessor Parcel Numbers in database with County Assessor’s office.
• Processes administrative approvals, such as fence height exceptions, homestays, tiny home on wheels, signage, and temporary use permits.
• Evaluates business tax certificates for conformance to current Zoning Regulations and the City’s addressing plan.
• Creates new and maintains existing maps utilizing both conventional drafting methods and computer assisted techniques.
• Prepares maps, charts and other illustrative materials for various planning reports, staff, and Commission information and general distribution.
• Maintains and updates information contained in the Community Development Department Internet Web Site.
• Assists with generating data and preparing staff reports for land use projects.
• Reviews use permits, variance and environmental assessment applications; prepares initial findings; checks plans and permit applications for zoning, signs, and minor subdivision compliance.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Nomenclature, symbols, methods, and techniques used in mapping and drafting.
• GIS software such as Arc View (Arc Info desirable).
• Internet software and functions, including HTML conversion and web page development.
• Basic principles and functions of land use planning.
• Analyzing data.
• Computer operations, including workstation, PC and peripherals.
• Research methods for records and maps.

Ability to:

• Skillfully prepare drafting presentations of data, plans and maps.
• Collect, analyze, and compile data pertaining to planning and zoning functions.
• Establish and maintain records.
• Interpret planning codes and ordinances.
• Research and interpret Assessor’s parcel maps and recorded maps.
• Read plans and legal descriptions.
• Prepare technical reports of moderate complexity.
• Develop, sequence and document procedures.
• Effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Deal tactfully, patiently, courteously, diplomatically and persuasively with the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or G.E.D.
and
Two years college coursework in City Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• LiveScan Fingerprinting – DOJ