Planning Technician or Assistant Planner I

City of Santa Clarita•Santa Clarita, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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 is responsible for assisting customers at the public counter and on the phone with planning questions regarding small residential and commercial projects; reviewing over-the-counter permits; intake of entitlement applications and preparing invoices; identifying zoning and associated development standards; conducting research and planning studies; supporting division permitting and counter operations; and may make public presentations on a variety of planning issues. The Assistant Planner I position is responsible for assisting customers at the public counter, through the City’s online plan review system, and on the phone with planning questions for more complex residential and commercial projects; reviewing subdivisions, zoning, and development requests; performing planning studies; interpreting code requirements and suggesting improvements; and presenting to the Planning Commission on a variety of planning issues.

Requirements

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, preferably within a municipal planning environment, is desirable
Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered
A valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related functions
One year of professional planning experience in public or private sector, preferably in a planning organization, is desirable
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
The ability to review and evaluate planning, zoning, and development plans and recommend workable solutions
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 concerns 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 and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds

Responsibilities

Provides assistance to customers at the public counter and on the phone; 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 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 as needed
Establishes positive working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
Performs other duties as assigned
Responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests; provides assistance to customers at the public counter and on the phone; 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