Planning Technician

Position Information

The purpose of this classification is to process various planning documentation, to include publishing legal advertisements, accepting rezoning applications, approving land disturbance permits, and providing staff support for Planning Commission.

Job Summary

The following duties are normal for this position.The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.Other duties may be required and assigned.

Prepares legal advertisements for publication in local newspapers; prepares advertisements and related documentation for zoning condition amendments, home occupation permits, MRPA approvals, and road name changes; clips legal ads from newspapers and maintains files.

Receives rezoning applications, conditional use permit applications, and home occupation permit applications; reviews applications for completeness and determines whether to accept/process or reject.

Monitors status of rezoning applications to ensure compliance with deadlines during various stages of processing; prepares subject property maps from geographical information system (GIS) for rezonings; prepares table of contents for rezoning book; prepares notifications for adjoining property owners.

Provides administrative support for Planning Commission; prepares agendas and meeting packets; accepts public participation reports and letters of opposition to rezonings; prepares letters to send to rezoning applicants with agenda; attends Planning Commission meetings; records and transcribes meeting minutes; prepares recommendations following Planning Commission meetings to send to applicants and to Board of Commissioners; prepares Board of Commissioners agenda requests for rezonings; prepares resolutions for approved rezonings; prepares confirmation letters for rezonings after Board of Commissioners meetings; prepares timesheets for Planning Commission members; distributes documentation and maintains records.

Reviews individual land disturbance permit applications on subdivision lots; approves and issues individual land disturbance permits on subdivision lots as appropriate.

Prepares monthly submitted/approved grading permit reports; distributes to other departments and to the public.

Assists in assigning street numbers.

Maintains records/logs of rezoning applications, conditional use permits, home occupation applications, and other departmental documentation; maintains computer database of zoning applications; maintains and updates rezoning files.

Conducts research of geographical information system (GIS) system, computer databases, Internet sites, hardcopy materials, or other sources as needed; researches ownership of adjoining properties using GIS.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, geographical information system (GIS) system, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legal advertisements, agendas, meeting minutes, agenda requests, resolutions, confirmation letters, timesheets, submitted/approved grading permit reports, charts, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, rezoning applications, conditional use permit applications, home occupation permit applications, public participation reports, blueprints, plats, zoning maps, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Receives moneys in payment of rezoning application fees, grading permit fees, or other departmental fees/services; records transactions, issues receipts, and forwards revenues as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, County officials, Planning Commission members, attorneys, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Attends meetings as needed.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; supplemented by college level course work or vocational training in office administration, and personal computer operations; supplemented by one (1) year previous experience and/or training involving office administration, computerized mapping, database administration, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.