Planning Technician

JOB BULLETIN

***New 4/10 Work Schedule***

Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

City Hall is Closed every Friday

The City of Buena Park is looking for a Planning Technician to join the Community Development Planning team!

The City of Buena Park is a well-planned, balanced city of residential, commercial, industrial, public, and semi-public uses with an emphasis on tourism. Under supervision, the Planning Technician will assist customers at the public counter, respond to on-line inquiries, perform entry-level technical duties in support of the Planning Division, and prepare staff reports and presentations for the Zoning Administrator. The priorities of the Planning Division include mixed-use developments as a result of the recently certified Housing Element, large-scale entertainment and hotel developments along Beach Boulevard, ADU’s, and SB9 lot split projects.

The ideal candidate has excellent customer service and written communication skills, is passionate about public service, has a great attitude, is detail and results-oriented, and is able to work in a collaborative and fast-paced team environment. Previous city planning or zoning experience as well as prior municipal experience and knowledge of permit tracking systems are highly desirable qualifications for candidates interested in this position.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and administrative office planning work; provides information to the public and explains requirement and regulations; examines routine plans, prepares reports, and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Planning Technician is distinguished from the Assistant Planner in that it is the trainee classification in the professional Planner series which is designed to provide on-the-job training to aspiring municipal planners. Assignments are generally limited in scope and set within procedural frameworks established by higher-level positions. Employees in this classification may be rotated to different assignments in order to gain experience in the various aspects of municipal planning. As experience is gained, the incumbent may perform with increasing independence and work on more advanced projects. In contrast with the Assistant Planner, a Planning Technician works under the close supervision of and in direct support of one or more professional Planners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Provides technical assistance and information to builders, architects, engineers, contractors and the public with general planning, zoning, land use, permit use, site plan, and design review. Assists the professional planners, Planning Manager, or Community Development Director with basic current planning projects, which includes application and plan review, coordination with project applicants, preparation and posting of legal notices, background research, and preparation of staff reports. Assists with monitoring of project implementation to verify substantial conformance with approved plans, conditions of approval, and mitigation measures. Reviews, tracks, and/or issue permits. Processes application intake and checks applications for accuracy, completion, and compliance with pertinent laws. Performs minor plan checking; assists with property information research. Advises and performs research for the public and staff on zoning and development regulations and other information as requested. Researches files and records for information requested by contractors, developers, realtors, citizens, and staff. Assists with community meetings. Performs review of business license applications. Prepares memos, agenda packets, public notices, reports, letters, and graphics. Performs a variety of general office duties and research. Responsible for maintaining and updating a list of all Planning Division activities and pending permits. Conducts a range of related document control functions such as file, review, organize, index, scan, and electronically archive building and land use permits, and other related documents; files and catalogues maps, photos, and other planning exhibits and documents. Inputs data and maintains the permit tracking system, website, and other information systems in the department; operates standard office equipment including computer and assigned software.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:

General Plan and zoning principles; research and reporting methods; principles and practices of municipal planning; symbols, methods, techniques, and instruments used in planning and map drafting; applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

Understand and explain local development standards and requirements; understand and apply local laws; interpret zoning and development codes, development plans, land use proposals, maps, and planning regulations; read and understand technical drawings and specifications; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems; operate computer equipment and use word processing, spreadsheet, and design software programs; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, developers, contractors, architects, general public, and other parties.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are frequently required to sit, stand and walk; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. Employees occasionally lift and move records and documents weighing up to 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, management, vendors, contractors, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees typically work in office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet, at or below 85 decibels levels.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent is required. One year of public counter experience is required. Two years of college level coursework majoring in urban planning, public administration, architecture, geography, landscape architecture, or related field is desirable. Previous city planning or zoning experience is highly desirable.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT

TENTATIVE TESTING SCHEDULE:
WRITTEN EXAM: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
ORAL INTERVIEWS: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr . Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans with Disabilities:

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination:

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits. They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.

SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions). Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.

RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee pays member contribution.

VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service. Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.

HOLIDAYS:An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available. The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.

LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. Premiums are fully paid by the City.

LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City. Police sworn personnel are not eligible.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offersone (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

WORK SCHEDULE:4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.

OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Available to all Full Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.

Closing Date/Time: 10/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Buena Park, California United States View Map