Planning Technician

DeKalb County • Decatur, GA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position coordinates planning, zoning administration, permit and plan review activities, and public hearing processes, ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of planning and development applications. The role serves as a liaison among various stakeholders, including planners, applicants, boards, internal departments, consultants, property owners, and the public, facilitating communication and coordination throughout the planning and zoning process. Key responsibilities include managing the intake and processing of applications, reviewing submissions for completeness, maintaining case files and data in County information systems, and tracking applications. The position also provides administrative support for planning-related boards and commissions, preparing necessary documentation for meetings and official records. Additionally, it involves coordinating zoning cycles and legislative processes, responding to public inquiries, coordinating permit and plan review activities, maintaining planning records and information systems, and assisting planners and management with case preparation and operational support. The role performs administrative and technical duties to support the Planning and Zoning Division's operations.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required
• Two years of experience in planning, zoning, land use, development review, or governmental administrative support
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job
• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Coordinates planning, zoning administration, permit and plan review activities, and public hearing processes.
• Ensures the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of planning and development applications.
• Serves as a liaison among planners, applicants, boards and commissions, internal departments, consultants, property owners, and the public.
• Facilitates communication and coordination throughout the planning and zoning process.
• Coordinates the intake and processing of planning and zoning applications.
• Reviews submissions for completeness.
• Establishes and maintains case files.
• Enters data into County information systems.
• Tracks applications throughout the review process.
• Provides administrative support for planning-related boards and commissions.
• Prepares legal notices, mailings agendas, public hearing packets, meeting materials, draft minutes, decision letters, ordinances, resolutions, and official records.
• Maintains documentation of board actions by established deadlines.
• Coordinates zoning cycles and legislative processes.
• Schedules meetings.
• Prepares agendas.
• Tracks case status and board actions.
• Compiles interdepartmental review comments.
• Distributes meeting materials in accordance with established deadlines.
• Responds to inquiries from applicants, property owners, consultants, and the public regarding planning and zoning procedures, application status, public hearing requirements, and development processes.
• Schedules pre-application meetings.
• Provides technical and procedural guidance.
• Coordinates permit and plan review activities.
• Routes applications for departmental review.
• Monitors review workflows.
• Responds to status inquiries.
• Resolves routine processing issues.
• Provides backup support for planning and zoning functions.
• Maintains planning records and information systems.
• Prepares statutory public notices.
• Updates databases and tracking systems.
• Maintains digital and physical records in accordance with records retention requirements.
• Assists with reports, statistical data, mapping materials, and website content.
• Assists planners and management with case preparation, project coordination, and operational support.
• Facilitates document routing.
• Coordinates activities across divisions.
• Supports workflow improvements.
• Prepares procedural documentation and training materials.
• Performs administrative and technical duties in support of Planning and Zoning Division operations.
• Attends meetings and training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED