Planning Techncian

The City of West Sacramento seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Planning Technician to join the Planning Division of our Community Development Department. This role is essential in supporting the Planning Division, offering technical, administrative, and clerical assistance to ensure the smooth operation of the City’s business licensing functions. We value individuals who demonstrate a commitment to public service, possess strong organizational skills, and have a keen interest in city planning and community development.

Ideal candidates will have a background in planning or a related field, with experience in public-facing roles that require excellent communication skills and attention to detail. We encourage applications from those who thrive in collaborative environments and are eager to contribute to the city’s goals of sustainable and responsible urban development.

As a Planning Technician, you will be an integral part of the team that ensures our city's planning processes run efficiently and effectively, maintaining the high standards of service that our community deserves and expects.

DEFINITION: The Planning Technician performs responsible technical and a variety of less complex work in support of the day-to-day business license functions as part of the Planning Division of the Community Development Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives direct and general supervision from the Principal Planner or designee. No direct supervision of staff is exercised.

 CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This class is distinguished as being at the journey level having responsibility for the full range of technical and a variety of less complex, more routine functions necessary to accomplish the tasks and duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists customers and responds to inquiries about zoning, land use, permit applications and business license processes. 
• Assist in responding to requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public, providing basic property and zoning information. 
• Accept and review business license applications, and route to appropriate staff as necessary, computes license fees, issues licenses and receives payments.
• Maintains business license data in computer system by entering new license data and updating existing data.
• Creates queries to provide reports and statistical information on business license data to the general public, City departments and outside agencies.
• Retrieves licensing information on pending, active, expired and canceled licenses in response to questions from various sources including the public, and other departments.
• Releases information and documents to state and federal agencies upon verification and documentation of authority of individual requesting the information.
• Issues background packets to individuals applying for licenses that require a background check, collects fees and sends to Police Department for processing and verifies documentation is complete.
• Provides clarification on business location and license classifications to City departments and outside agencies.
• Responds to inquiries from the public and local and state agencies regarding licensed businesses, business owners, business addresses, qualifications required to operate different types of businesses, and the licensing section’s policies and procedures.
• Prepares written reports and correspondence, maintains a variety of records and files, and assists in maintaining and updating the various permitting and informational databases and platforms.
• Responds to complaints by providing information or referring complainant to the appropriate individual, department or agency.
• Revises existing forms and develops new forms as necessary.
• Generates and distributes renewal notices, license certifications and delinquent notices.
• Prepares correspondence, reports and forms.
• May assist in maintaining Community Development Department webpages and information posted to the Interactive Development Map.
• May provide clerical and staff support to the Planning Commission including review of draft staff reports, preparation of minutes, agenda packet preparation, maintenance of information on the City’s web site, etc. 
• Assists and assembles radius letter notifications to members of the public regarding upcoming Planning Commission items.
• Research information on property ownership and boundaries; coordinates updates to zoning and land use maps with City planning and GIS staff.
• Provides support to the Planning Division of the Community Development Department, including complex administrative and technical accounting support, special projects, procurement, preparation of maps, and graphics, etc. to be used in various reports.
• May process Zoning projects (i.e. lot line mergers/adjustments, minor use permits, etc.) Reviews minor building permits routed to the Planning Division for zoning and planning permit compliance.

Knowledge of: Basic principles, practices and purposes of urban planning; rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the business license section; terminology and concepts related to the business license function; privacy laws that pertain to public records and confidentiality; customer service principles and public relations techniques; modern office and clerical practices and procedures; correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; City organizational structure and function of the departments that interact with business licensing; state and federal agencies available to assist with clarifying licensing issues; research techniques, resources and sources of information related to business licenses and the planning division.

Skill in: Providing information to the general public regarding planning and business license services; understanding, interpreting, applying and explaining policies, procedures, and ordinances; interviewing applicants and obtaining information necessary to classify their business; working independently, organizing and prioritizing workload; preparing reports and correspondence; checking and verifying information for accuracy and completeness; maintain records, files, and statistical reports; reviewing rudimentary plans; working under stressful conditions and deal successfully with a wide variety of individuals; establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with the public, business communities, consultants, City staff and others contacted during the course of work; communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; making accurate mathematical calculations; using a personal computer and software.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:
 
Education:  High school diploma or equivalent.  Specialized coursework in urban planning or related field highly desirable.
 
Experience:  One (1) year, full-time equivalent, of technical or administrative experience involving public contact, preferably in a planning division or related field.
 
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  If required to drive, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license.
 

WORKING CONDITIONS: Serves as staff to the Planning Commission and may be required to attend meetings outside of normal work hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports and records that typically weigh less than 20 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures

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