Planning Technician

City of Orange • Orange, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the City of Orange Community Development Department as our next Planning Technician! We are accepting the first 100 applications for this exciting role, and will close the recruitment no later than October 18th. Are you looking for an opportunity to work in dynamic and interesting community development environment, as part of a strong, team-oriented department? Come work for the City of Orange! We are home to a diverse land use mix, four historic districts, varied environmental conditions, and engaged community members. Our City is rich with tradition and character, and has been designated "A Great Place in America" by the American Planning Association! Orange is looking for an up-and-coming planning professional who is interested in developing skills and experience that will serve as building blocks for a planning career in local government. The ideal candidate is passionate about the field of planning, wants to be immersed in a work setting that will provide exposure to a wide variety of planning and historic preservation issues, enjoys working as part of a team, and is customer-service oriented. The Planning Technician reports to the Principal Planner and will work closely with Planning staff and Building Permit Technicians to provide zoning information and facilitate development application submittals. DEFINITION OF THE POSITION: Under direct supervision, a Planning Technician serves as the primary Planning Division contact at the City's public counter, working closely with building permit technicians and Planning Division staff. This position performs professional work in the field of current and advance planning; provides information and assistance to the public and developers on zoning and land use applications, and planning related matters at the public planning counter; reviews minor planning applications; provides land use database support; and performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Basic principles and practices of urban and regional planning and zoning.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• Basic concepts of architecture, landscaping, traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer services by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, and other elements related to city planning.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and requirements and related reports.
• Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including related computer hardware and software.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public.
• Read plans and specifications and make site visits.
• Conduct routine research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, and City planning policies and procedures.
• Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
• Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Make sound decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License with satisfactory driving record (and proof of acceptable automobile insurance, if required) at the time of appointment and throughout employment in the position.

Nice To Haves

• At least 6 months of internship-level (or higher) governmental planning or private consulting firm planning work experience is highly desirable.
• Work experience involving the delivery of in-person customer service is highly desirable.
• California-based education and/or work experience in the fields of urban planning, community development, business or public administration, geography, political science, or a related field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary Planning Division contact at the City's public counter, working closely with building permit technicians and Planning Division staff.
• Performs professional work in the field of current and advance planning.
• Provides information and assistance to the public and developers on zoning and land use applications, and planning related matters at the public planning counter.
• Reviews minor planning applications.
• Provides land use database support.
• Performs related work as required.

Benefits

• Pension through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) with a 2.7% @ age 55 formula for Classic CalPERS members.
• Generous contribution towards healthcare insurance plans, with a portion of the unused amount available as income.
• Tuition Reimbursement benefits.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Wellness Program offering reimbursement for various wellness expenses including gym memberships, weights, and exercise equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level