Community Development Assistant

City of Santa Fe Springs; Forest Lake (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

City of Forest Lake is seeking a Community Development Assistant to provide front-line customer service and general administrative support for the Community Development Department.

The role involves processing permit applications, reviewing land use submittals for completeness, maintaining records, and coordinating meetings and communications with the public and city staff. It requires attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a municipal setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of post-secondary education in a related field or two years of progressively responsible administrative support experience.
• State driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service and referrals to the public by phone, email, and front counter regarding permits, zoning, and general information.
• Process routine administrative and zoning permit applications per established procedures.
• Review land use submittals for completeness and coordinate with staff as needed.
• Retrieve and provide property and development information from city records and systems.
• Maintain and organize record-keeping and imaging systems (LaserFiche) and department workflows.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, notices, and materials for planning bodies and public hearings.

Skills

Customer service

Administrative support

Multitasking

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma or GED

Post-secondary education in related field

MN driver’s license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat Pro

CivicPlus

LaserFiche

PDF documentation

Job description

Summary

The Community Development Assistant is responsible for general office and project organization and providing administrative and technical support to further the efforts of the Community Development Department, including the intake process and permit review. As a primary service counter contact, the position assists the public, other City employees, and officials by providing information regarding established codes, procedures, policies, and application requirements.

• Provides customer service and referrals to the public by phone, email, and front counter regarding permit application, development processes, inspections, zoning, property information, code compliance, complaints, and general Community Development information.
• Receives, logs, reviews, and processes routine administrative and zoning permit applications in accordance with established checklists and procedures. Refers non-routine matters to appropriate professional staff.
• Receives, logs, and assists with the review of land use application submittals for completeness in accordance with established checklists and procedures.
• Retrieves, compiles, and provides available property and development information from City records and established information systems, including zoning information, permits, variances, surveys, site plans, and related records.
• Maintains land use, zoning permit, code enforcement, and property information tracking systems, including department records and data retention systems in accordance with the Data Privacy Act.
• Coordinates scanning, filing, organization, and electronic retention of department records using the City's Laserfiche document imaging system and established departmental workflows.
• Prepares correspondence, forms, notices, bulletins, agendas, reports, mailing lists, and other departmental materials from drafts, instructions, or established procedures.
• Coordinates meeting logistics for the Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, commissions, advisory boards, committees, and public hearings, including agendas, notices, mailings, meeting materials, and meeting minutes; attends evening meetings as required.
• Maintains department forms, applications, supplies, webpages, and filing systems.
• Performs detailed clerical and administrative functions, including compiling data, calculating information, preparing reports, and maintaining records.
• Assists with the preparation and maintenance of Community Development communications, informational materials, webpages, and outreach activities.

Other Duties

Performs additional duties and related tasks as required, or as directed by the Assistant Community Development Director and/or Community Development Director.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Degree or GED Certification.
• Two (2) years of post-secondary education in a related field or two (2) years progressively responsible experience in administrative support, customer service, permitting, municipal government, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• State driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with City staff, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge in general office procedures, answering and directing phone calls, messages, ordering supplies, filing, etc.
• Ability to operate office machines and run various software packages, including (but not limited to) Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro for editing, combining, organizing, and preparing PDF documents, content management systems.(CivicPlus), LaserFiche Document Imaging System, and any other software utilized by the department.
• Ability to apply established procedures, checklists, and objective standards to routine permit and zoning reviews and recognize when an issue requires referral to professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience

• License/certification/training at vocational school, related on-the-job experience or an associate or bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Previous experience in municipal government, planning and zoning, engineering, building permitting, development services, or a related field is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of City jurisdiction boundaries and mapping.
• Ability to administer and review the proper forms for publishing public hearings.
• Ability to multitask; effectively manage workload and time commitments.
• Ability to independently accomplish assigned tasks with only general direction.

Working Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office setting and includes reviewing plans and applications, processing permits, preparing records and materials, and providing customer service. The role requires regular walking, standing, bending, and occasionally lifting up to 30 pounds. Occasional site visits, meetings, or other work outside City Hall may be required.

The City of Forest Lake is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage all qualified candidates, including those from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, to apply.

Complete Benefit Package Offered to Full Time Benefit Eligible Employees

Health and Dental Insurance - Employer-paid employee health, dental, and life insurance. Dependent coverage available.

Flexible Spending Arrangement - Tax -free reimbursement accounts for health, dental, vision, and daycare expenses.

Health Care Savings Account - Tax-free reimbursement accounts for health care expenses.

Long Term Disability Insurance - Income replacement insurance for long term disability, if unable to work due to illness or injury. Subject to waiting periods and medical confirmation of disability.

Life Insurance - A basic 50K life insurance and ADD plan is offered to the employee.

Holidays - 11 Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays.

Annual Leave - Vacation leave and Sick/ESST leave. Accrues each pay period.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free Employee Assistance Program provides short-term confidential counseling and referral services for employees, their spouse/partner, and immediate family members/dependents.

Pension - The City of Forest Lake participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.

Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - All full-time employees are eligible to participate in a pre-tax or after tax savings through Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS). Participation is optional and the City does not contribute to the plan.

Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) - The City has implemented the Minnesota State Retirement System HCSP, which allows employees to save money on a pre-tax basis to pay medical expenses and/or health insurance premiums after termination of public service.

Optional Benefits Offered To Full Time Benefit Eligible Employees

• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Plans
• Voluntary employee, spouse, and dependent life and ADD Insurance
• NCPERS Term Life and ADD Insurance
• Group Hospital, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance

01

Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid MN driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have two years of post-secondary education in a related field or two years progressively responsible experience in administrative support, customer service, permitting, municipal government, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question