Planning & Zoning Technician - 0926

City of Greenville•15 S Main Street - Civic Design Center, SC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, performs a variety of planning and zoning support duties. Reviews development proposals with prospective applicants. Reviews residential and commercial building permit and zoning applications for compliance with the Greenville Development Code, design guidelines, landscape and tree standards, and other relevant project approval requirements. Periodically conducts technical field inspections to determine compliance with zoning ordinance requirements and approved permit specifications. Performs limited zoning enforcement work. Provides administrative support with submittal, review, and processing permit and project documents. Serves as a point of contact to assist the public and internal staff with planning and development related inquiries. Conducts technical research and compiles data on planning issues.

Requirements

Associate degree in architecture, construction, urban studies, engineering, building sciences, geographic information systems, or a field related to planning and development functions.
Over two (2) years of experience in building and zoning plan review, city planning, development plan review and permitting, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job may be considered.
Must meet professional development requirements for Local Planning or Zoning Officials per South Carolina Code 6-29-1310 within one (1) year of employment.
Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License at hire.
General knowledge of construction processes, materials, specifications, symbols, terminology, and codes.
General knowledge of zoning ordinances, urban design principles, landscaping, utilities, and land development.
Knowledge of procedures and process for permitting, plan review, and data management.
Ability to apply and interpret relevant ordinances, laws, and policies as well as communicate them both orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and tactful manner.
Ability to learn and perform plan reviews to perform competent and efficient work within assigned deadlines.
Ability to provide a high level of customer service, analyze problems, and identify alternative solutions.
Ability to apply technical knowledge and follow proper plan review techniques, and detect deviations from model codes, regulations and standard construction practices.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted during the course of work.
Ability to observe conditions, determine compliance, and firmly but tactfully enforce regulations.
Ability to make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
Ability to read and interpret zoning maps, site plans, building plans, specifications, and building codes.
Ability to consider previous development approvals, site history, environmental constraints, surrounding conditions, and other relevant factors to apply zoning and development standards in a balanced and reasonable manner.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and effectively apply technical skills in decision-making.
Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, summaries, and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.
Ability to enter and edit written and numeric data in City software programs and databases.
Ability to prioritize workload and manage time efficiently, meet deadlines and complete assignments in a timely manner.
Ability to drive a City vehicle between facilities and job sites.
Ability to utilize a flashlight, calculator, architectural and engineering scales, and applicable safety equipment.
Ability to operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to utilize specialized software and systems to include permitting software.

Responsibilities

Review residential and commercial building permit applications for compliance with applicable requirements.
Inspect site plans, construction documents, and requests for occupancy for compliance.
Conduct technical field inspections as directed.
Determine the compliance status of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings with zoning ordinances, landscaping and tree requirements and permit conditions.
Perform research, reviews, and inspections for Certificates of Occupancy.
Prepare zoning verification letters and provide to applicants.
Process and route zoning permit applications to applicable departments and/or reviewers.
Confer with City staff, designers, applicants, developers and public about development requirements and procedures via face-to-face meetings, phone, and on-site visits.
Prepare correspondence to convey requirements and procedures.
Maintain a working knowledge of the adopted ordinance and related standards to accurately apply during reviews, accurately and clearly communicate their requirements to customers and suggest alternate design methods when necessary.
Maintain and update files and records related to review, inspection, and enforcement activities.
Complete assigned tasks related to Planning & Development department functions, which may include additional Zoning Permit Reviews and/or review and processing of subdivision applications, data entry and editing in City software databases, assigning of addresses and administration of the City’s addressing program, preparation of monthly addressing reports, zoning enforcement, or other department functions.
Coordinate application intake and system entry by reviewing applications for completeness and ensuring all required materials have been submitted.
Provide invoicing details to applicants including where fees may be paid.
Coordinate review processes by monitoring application cases to ensure that reviews are routed to the correct departments/reviewers.
Send reminders regarding deadlines, compile review comments, and close cases through correspondence via approval/denial letter and update project status in permitting software.
Proactively communicate with residential and commercial building permit applicants and coordinate with Planning staff, other City departments, and external entities to complete planning functions.
Evaluate development applications in relation to City policies and standards.
Meet with City staff and permit applicants to discuss development regulations pertinent to permit applications.
Review civil, architectural, and landscape plans and specifications.
Provide feedback to other staff and applicants on conformance/compliance issues.
Correspond with applicants as appropriate.
As an initial point of contact, assist the public and internal staff with planning and development related inquiries.
Provide information and assistance to the public in a responsive manner on planning related matters, including zoning code requirements, violations, and enforcement issues.
Research land use history and data, status of project submittals, routing of submittals, and public records requests.
Identify and recommend process improvements.
Manage assigned projects and deadlines.
Compile information and make recommendations on special studies.
Perform technical research and prepare technical reports.
Assist other planning staff with analysis, research, and development of graphics, technical reports, and GIS reports.
Perform other duties as assigned.