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The City of Fountain is seeking a Planning Technician to serve as the public's first point of contact at the Planning, Building and Community permit center. Under supervision, you will provide information on the Comprehensive Plan, zoning and related policies, and assist in processing planning applications and permits.
You will prepare reports, maintain records, support staff with development reviews, and coordinate with other departments to ensure timely permit issuance.
Position Details
This is a regular, full time technical work position assisting the public at the Planning, Building and Community permit center. Generally, the public’s initial point of customer service. Under direct supervision of the Permit and Administrative Manager, the Planning Technician provides general information on the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and other planning related policies and procedures to the public, City staff and representatives of other agencies. The Planning Technician also provides a variety of technical tasks to assist the professional staff and may from time to time also provide administrative and clerical support services such as contract and grant coordination, filing, preparing public notices, etc. as needed
Generally provides to the public its initial point of customer service relating to the planning portion of the permitting process. Answers questions and provides information to the public at the front counter, via telephone, and/or electronic mail correspondence.
Receives and processes various applications for planning approval and permits generally considered more routine and administrative in nature.
Provides technical support for the by assisting the public with development review permit submittals, providing specific information on submittal requirements, fees, the submittal process, etc.
Assists in responding to requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public, providing basic property information and interpreting the zoning ordinance.
Resolves issues appropriately; calls other staff members to the counter if the issue is beyond authority to resolve or scope of knowledge.
Coordinates timely processing and reviews of City business licenses in coordination with Department staff, other City staff and other agencies.
Receives and processes applications for less complex, more routine applications such as minor administrative approvals, sign permits, temporary uses permits and other similar minor permits.
Conducts field surveys and compiles property research, including zoning history, size, dimensions, development patterns, and land use and property ownership.
Prepares written reports and correspondence, maintains a variety of records and files, and assists as needed in the maintenance and updating of various city databases.
Assists in preparation of reports to Council Committees, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner and other bodies.
Updates and maintains statistical records, including but not limited to: land use trends, population trends, building permits, assessor’s map amendments, and development application activity.
From time to time performs a variety of routine work such as, filing, billing, copying, and checking and recording information on various records, taking notes, preparing minutes.
Effectively uses computerized permit tracking system as well as provides problem solving and system coordination as related to permit issuance. Responsible for timely computer entry, file preparation and routing of assigned permit applications.
Maintains current working knowledge and assists in ensuring compliance with the regulations and limitations of all codes and ordinances enforced by the Planning Division and the inter-relationship between building and land use codes and development proposals.
Verbally communicates technical and non-technical information to others within the profession, to other staff, citizens and the development community.
Plans, prioritizes and organizes workflow in order to meet position and departmental goals and deadlines; works independently.
Works effectively, courteously, and in a professional manner while working with interruptions, strict deadlines and handling multiple projects simultaneously.
Regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
Due to internal and external customer service needs, incumbent must be able to work a full time schedule, on-site (appropriate City work sites).
Completes work and projects in a thorough and timely manner.
Works courteously and effectively with public officials, citizens, contractors, vendors, developers, supervisor, and other employees, both in person and over the telephone; assisting them with a wide variety of information pertaining to City and department.
Assists as needed in the preparation of various brochures and other handouts related to the permit center.
Processes any money that may be remitted by mail for permits either transmitting it to the Finance Department or returning it to the applicant, whichever is appropriate; processes and keeps records for all permit refunds as directed.
Perform related duties as assigned
Graduation from high school or the equivalent and a bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental studies, public administration, economics, business, geography, or a related field, and six (6) months experience in planning, administration, public administration, or a related field, preferably in local government, that involved heavy public contact and which provided the necessary skills and experience to perform the responsibilities of the position; OR a combination of education, experience and training that would indicate successful performance of the primary function listed above.
Possess and retain a valid state driver’s license without impending loss at time of appointment.
Unaffiliated employees are covered by their choice of Regence Blue Shield Preferred Provider (PPO) or Group Health Cooperative Medical Insurance. Employees choosing the PPO plan, pay a total $0 montly cost share portion of the medical premium for coverage of themselves; and a small percentage for the premium of their eligible dependents. Employees choosing Group Health pay a monthly cost share portion of the premium that is equal to the difference between the total cost of the Group Health plan and what the City pays toward the PPO plan. The City pays the total monthly premiums on dental, orthodontia and vision coverage for all regular, full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Dental coverage is through the employee's choice of either the Washington Dental Service or Willamette Dental Service; vision is through the Vision Service Plan (VSP).