Planning Technician in Lenoir NC, North Carolina at Caldwell County, NC

PLANNING TECHNICIAN

General Statement of Duties
Performs technical and administrative work in support of the County’s Planning Department.

Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class performs a variety of technical and administrative work in support of the County’s Planning Department. The employee serves as the first contact for the public which involves directing visitors to the correct department or agency, answering questions about the planning process, and accepting applications and payments for Building Inspections and the Environmental Health Department. Work involves intake of planning project submittals, reviewing for completeness; assigning tracking numbers and routing to appropriate staff; setting up fees; establishing and maintaining project files; inputting permits into system and mailing once issued. Work also includes reviewing minor family subdivision plans for compliance with land use, zoning ordinances and floodplain requirements; issuing zoning permits; preparing maps and materials for meetings requiring knowledge of GIS; assisting with zoning enforcement and policies; and administrative support work for the department including preparing purchase orders and invoices, typing correspondence, preparing forms and documents, and maintaining files and records. The employee serves as secretary to the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment preparing agendas, attending meetings, recording and distributing minutes. Work requires considerable public contact with developers, property owners, and the general public requiring considerable tact and firmness. General knowledge of the planning and zoning regulations, GIS technology, judgment and initiative are required in the performance of duties. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated based on conferences and review of assignments.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks

• Answers the telephone and greets the general public; assists with inquiries from the public on general zoning and planning questions including ordinances and permits.
• Provides assistance to the Building Inspections and Environmental Health departments; accepting departmental applications and reviewing for completeness and accuracy; accepting payments for permits.
• Provides technical assistance to the general public, property owners, builders, developers, realtors, and contractors; explains and advises public on regulations of watershed, zoning, subdivision and mobile home ordinances as well as floodplain requirements.
• Receives project submittals from developers and the public; reviews for completeness and accuracy; collects required fees; routes plans to appropriate staff.
• Accepts applications for floodplain development; reviews for accuracy; issues floodplain development permits.
• Serves as Clerk to the Board for the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; prepares meeting agendas; prepares reports and maps; attends meetings to take minutes.
• Handles inquiries and complaints on a variety of nuisance ordinances including junk vehicles and solid waste; investigates complaints and documents violations; may conduct field inspections; assists Planning Director with zoning code enforcement activities.
• Issues zoning permits for County.
• Assists in the preparation of information for various committee and public meetings; researches and prepares documents, maps, and presentation materials; copies packets and information for agendas and meetings; assists with advertisements and public notifications.
• Researches and compiles data for departmental reports and projects.
• Performs administrative support duties including accounts payable, preparing purchase orders, ordering supplies, copying and printing materials, developing and maintaining departmental and fiscal records and files.

Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and applicable laws of public sector land use and planning.
• Working knowledge of the ordinances, codes and regulations pertaining to land use planning and development including zoning and floodplain requirements.
• Working knowledge of the application of information technology including the use of various software, hardware, and peripherals including GIS, spreadsheets and databases.
• Skill in preparing documents and maps with accuracy and ability to proof documents for thoroughness and accuracy and complete required records and reports.
• Ability to interpret local ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to arrange and place records, reports and files into a proper sequence and develop systems for retrieval and storage of departmental and County records.
• Ability to apply applicable ordinances with tact and firmness.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms with tact and firmness.
• Ability to analyze zoning issues and recommend solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, developers, contractors, employees, the general public and other municipal government agencies.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, and hearing.
• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or negligible force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, examine and work with maps and charts, to operate a computer and motor vehicle, perform field inspections, and to read extensively.

Desirable Education and Experience
Associate’s Degree in business, paralegal technology or related field, and considerable administrative experience in local government, real estate, construction or business with emphasis on customer service; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirement

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• County Review Officer designation.
• Ability to obtain CZO (Certified Zoning Official) certification within 12 months.

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 questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should 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 and defensible personnel decisions