Planning Technician

City of Milpitas; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Milpitas seeks a Planning Technician to support the Planning Department with application processing, fee handling, and basic mapping tasks. The role serves residents and businesses, assisting with notices and record-keeping to keep development review moving smoothly.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree-related background, two years of relevant experience, and strong customer service skills to interact with the public and staff. California driver’s license required.

Qualifications

• Two years of administrative/technical experience.
• Understanding of planning principles, regulations, and processes.
• Valid California Driver’s License is required.

Responsibilities

• Answer public inquiries at the counter and explain requirements and procedures.
• Evaluate planning applications for submittal completeness and maintain records.
• Assist with maps/exhibits using Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Support planning staff in meetings and preparation of documents.
• Maintain planning records, maps, plans, and historical materials.

Skills

Customer service

Planning knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

AA in urban planning

AA in geography

AA in civil engineering

Tools

GIS

Job description

Join our Planning team!

The City of Milpitas is seeking a knowledgeable, detail oriented, and customer focused Planning Technician to join the Planning Department. Under the supervision of the Principal Planner, the Planning Technician is often the first person residents, business owners, and applicants meet at the counter, and their work keeps development review moving for the whole department.

The Job

The Planning Technician provides technical and administrative support to the Planning Department by receiving, reviewing, distributing, and processing applications for land development, special events, accessory dwelling units, and other minor development permits. The position calculates and collects fees, creates simple maps and diagrams for staff reports, conducts basic land use and zoning research, assists with public noticing and the recording of official documents, responds to planning and zoning inquiries, and manages the department’s electronic and hard copy records.

This is a para professional, single class position that performs both routine and complex administrative and technical work. It requires tact, discretion, independent judgment, and frequent interaction with the public. For the complete job description, including Examples of Duties and Knowledge and Abilities, see the Planning Technician class specification.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable, detail oriented, and customer focused professional with an understanding of planning principles, procedures, and applicable regulations. They communicate effectively, build positive relationships, and provide responsive service to the public and internal stakeholders. The successful candidate is proactive, resourceful, and solutions oriented, exercising sound judgment to research issues, resolve problems, and adapt to changing priorities. They work collaboratively, manage multiple assignments effectively, and demonstrate a commitment to accuracy, professional growth, and high quality service.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Answer questions and provide information to the public at the front counter; research information; interpret data and explain requirements, regulations, and procedures; assist with inquiries pertaining to current or comprehensive planning policies.
• Evaluate a variety of planning applications and proposals for submittal completeness; maintain electronic records of applications received and circulated for comment from other departments.
• Assist other Planning staff in managing plans, permits and documents received throughout the review process and receive/record comments from City staff in other departments.
• Assist other Planning staff in preparing basic maps and analysis for exhibits and staff reports using a Geographic Information System.
• Conduct basic research and compile, record, and summarize technical data in simple tables, charts, and reports.
• Support other Planning staff in reviewing development projects and preparing presentations; maintain planning, statistical, photographic and historical records, maps, plans, and other materials in the Planning Department library.
• Assemble data needed to issue permits; work with applicants to ensure conformance with relevant City regulations and development standards.
• Assist in the enhancement of the departments record-keeping system by organizing and maintaining electronic and hard-copy files.
• Assist other Planning staff in preparing and distributing materials for Planning Commission meetings, Zoning Administrator hearings, and other public and community meetings.
• Assist Planning staff in processing official documents, including CEQA notices and official filings at the County Recorder’s Office.
• Assist with the preparation and review of official Planning Commission meeting minutes and facilitate responses to inquiries from other community meetings.
• Assist with gathering and organizing documents responses to Public Records Act requests.
• Assist other Planning staff in a variety of special projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Equivalent to a two year Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, geography, architecture, civil engineering, or a closely related field, and two years of progressively responsible administrative, technical, or customer service experience. Experience in local government is highly desirable.

License: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s License is required.

Physical abilities and work environment: General office environment; sit or stand for long periods; repetitive keyboarding; reach, squat, lift, and carry up to 15 pounds; able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of each applicant’s training and experience based on the application and responses to the supplemental questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed. Oral board interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9, 2026. The examination process, including dates, may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Department. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee advancement in the selection process.

*This posting is written notice of a permanent, vacant position and is posted for at least 10 working days in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Milpitas Professional and Technical Group (ProTech). Internal applications received by October 7, 2026, will be reviewed first, and internal qualified candidates will be considered before external applicants are reviewed.

Conflict of Interest: Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest Statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with Resolution No. 8833.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department.

The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.