Community Development Technician

City-of-Lake-Elsinor; Lake Elsinore (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lake Elsinor seeks a Community Development Technician at City Hall in Lake Elsinore to manage permit processing, plan reviews, and customer inquiries. You will work with the Planning Division to ensure compliance with zoning, CEQA notices, and development standards.

The role emphasizes fees, plan routing, and official reporting; a candidate must pass Live Scan and a pre-employment physical and drug screen. This is a full‑time, on‑site position within the Community Development Department.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in office support duties related to Community Development and permit processing.
• High school diploma or equivalent with college coursework in planning, engineering, land use or related field.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service by responding to inquiries at the counter and by phone; explain policies and application processes.
• Receive plans for review, route to staff, and process applications.
• Calculate and collect planning, engineering and building fees; issue receipts; coordinate with cashier.
• Explain zoning and development concepts and CEQA notices to the public.
• Determine zoning/general plan designation and prepare GIS maps; CEQA notices.
• Issue ministerial permits such as sign, building, temporary use and grading permits.
• Process daycare permits; prepare staff reports and conditions of approval; present projects.
• Develop and maintain a coordination/tracking system between divisions.
• Update activity reports and tentative meeting schedules; monitor project status.
• Establish relationships with community organizations and agencies.

Skills

Map reading

Record keeping

Public/customer service

Communication

Analytical

Education

Two years of related experience; college coursework in planning/engineering/land use

Tools

GIS

Permit tracking system

Office software

Job description

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Location City Hall

Department Community Development - Planning Division

Description

**THE SELECTED CANDIDATEMUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A LIVE SCAN AND A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL AND DRUG SCREEN TO CONTINUE WITH THE HIRING PROCESS.**

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, provides information to the public related to planning, engineering,and/or development application processes, plan review processes, fees, and other polices and procedures; receives and reviews applications; calculates and collects fees; routes plans for review; prepares and maintains permit records and files; provides administrative support; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Community Development Technician is the journey level class in which incumbents are expected to perform the full scope of permit processing and related support duties with minimum supervision. Assignments are characterized by the presence of fairly clear guidelines from which to make decisions and the availability of supervision when required. Incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher class level.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives general supervision from assigned manager. Incumbents do not routinely exercise supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)

• Provides customer service by responding to public and agency inquiries by phone and at the counter; provides information regarding policies, procedures, and application processes related to planning, engineering, and/or building; works cooperatively with property owners, contractors, architects, developers, engineers or their representatives to resolve questions regarding permit issuance and permit fees.
• Receives planning, building and engineering plans and specifications for completeness, review and conformance to permit requirements and regulations; routes plans to appropriate staff; reviews basic plans without involving planning staff; processes applications.
• Calculates various planning, engineering and building fees; writes-up receipts for customers; coordinates fee collection with the cashier.
• Explains zoning code and development, basic engineering requirements and the way projects flow throughout the Community Development Department to the public and developers.
• Determines Zoning and General Plan designation and flood zones of property; prepares vicinity maps on the GIS; prepares CEQA notices.
• Issues a variety of ministerial permits, such as sign permits, building permits, temporary use permits and grading permits.
• Processes large family daycare permits; processes applications for current planning projects, including reviewing plans for compliance with all applicable codes and development standards; writes staff reports and conditions of approval; presents projects to Planning Commission.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a coordination and tracking system for the three Divisions within Community Development.
• Updates the Planning Division activity reports and tentative meeting schedules; maintains awareness of the activities of the planners and project status.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff and the public.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Position Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

(The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a Community Development Technician. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of two years of experience performing increasingly responsible office support duties related to Community Development and the processing of applications and issuing of permits, and a high school diploma or equivalent supplemented with college level course work in planning, engineering, land use, or a related field.

License/Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS:

(The following are a representative sample of the KAS's necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)

Knowledge of:

Local municipal code sections as related to zoning, construction and permit processing procedures; various construction methods and terminology; basic planning and engineering concepts, California Land Use Law and Subdivision Map act; real property description and terminology; basic research methods used in the collection, tabulation, analysis and application of data; public relations techniques and procedures; basic principles of mathematics; applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; standard office procedures, practices and equipment; modern office equipment, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling and grammar; occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

Read, interpret and review maps, plans, blueprints and supporting documentation; develop and maintain tracking system; collect, analyze and present data; work with the public in a courteous and friendly manner; perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately; interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret and record data accurately; organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue, and develop and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Skill to:

Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and variety of word processing and software applications; operate automated record keeping and permit tracking systems.

Open Date 8/19/2026

Number of Openings 1

Close Date 9/19/2026

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Pay Range $29.8738 - $38.1274 per hour

This position is currently accepting applications.

CUSTODIAN in Lake Elsinore, CA