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Planning Technician or Assistant Planner I
City of Santa Clarita / Santa Clarita
Posted on: July 18, 2023
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Job Description
Description/Duties & Responsibilities
Planning Technician
$30.99 – $37.67/hour
Steps 1 – 5
OR
Assistant Planner I
$37.76 – $45.90/hour
Steps 1 – 5
The City of Santa Clarita is hiring one position at either a Planning Technician or an Assistant Planner I level depending on skill level and qualifications.
The Planning Technician will be responsible for assisting customers at the public counter and on the phone with planning questions; reviewing over-the-counter permits, entitlement applications, and plot plans; conducting research and planning studies; and making public presentations on a variety of planning issues.
The Assistant Planner I position will be responsible for assisting customers at the public counter; reviewing subdivisions, zoning, and development requests; performing planning studies; and presenting to the Planning Commission on a variety of planning issues.
Planning Technician Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provides assistance to customers on the phone and at the public counter; responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests
• Reviews over-the-counter permits, entitlement applications, and plot plans; initiates the land use entitlement process by gathering application materials and creating project files; prepares case files for distribution; prepares planning-related correspondence
• Maintains planning files for the division; tracks and orders forms and supplies for the planning counter; inputs planning data into an online database
• Performs planning studies, conducts research, does site surveys, and prepares reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections
• Provides information to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff for the development of graphs and maps
• Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues
• Establishes positive working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
Assistant Planner I Duties and Responsibilities:
• Responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests; provides assistance to customers on the phone and at the public counter; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning-related matters
• Interprets planning policies, laws, and ordinances; reviews planning proposals; establishes conditions for project approval to ensure compliance with these policies, laws, and ordinances
• Issues home occupancy permits, conditional and minor use permits, oak tree permits, and other over-the-counter permits
• Performs planning studies, conducts research and analysis, and writes technical planning reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections
• Prepares planning documents, including staff reports, resolutions, and environmental review documents
• Conducts site surveys and formulates site design alternatives within the regulations of the Unified Development Code
• Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives from developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Education and Experience
Planning Technician
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field
• Experience providing customer service in person and on the phone is desired, preferably within a municipal planning environment
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver license
Assistant Planner I
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field
• One year of professional planning experience in public or private sector is desirable, preferably in a planning organization
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver license
Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledge of land use, planning, and zoning policies and processes and the ability to use this knowledge to explain regulations and policies to customers and review and evaluate development plans
• Familiarity with the subdivision map act and the California Environmental Quality Act
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage time, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work in an environment with constant interruptions, consistently meet deadlines, and be flexible to changing priorities
• Strong computer skills and the ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create planning-related correspondence, reports, and presentations
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare technical correspondence, reports, and PowerPoint presentations pertaining to planning principles
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to make clear presentations regarding complex planning issues, and communicate effectively with employees and the public in a way that represents a positive City image to the public, employees, and the development community
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to interact with people in a tactful, professional, and helpful manner
• Strong conflict management skills and the ability to effectively address and resolve customer issues at the counter, on the phone, and by email
• Strong work ethic and the ability to conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to review and evaluate development plans and prepare graphic displays to illustrate planning data
• Strong mathematical skills and the ability to read figures quickly and accurately and solve mathematical calculations
• The ability to drag, push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds
Assistant Planner I Knowledge and Abilities only:
• The ability to review and evaluate planning, zoning, and development plans and recommend workable solutions
Application Instructions
Planning Technician or Assistant Planner I | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)
