Planning Technician

City of Thornton, Colorado; Thornton (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Thornton, Colorado, is seeking an entry-level planning professional to support the Planning Division with research on past land use actions, advise on current zoning, and review minor development plans and permits. You will engage with the public, developers, and staff to facilitate planning processes and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities include assisting with intake and review, preparing reports, and supporting presentations for public hearings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field. Equivalent combinations may be considered.
• Travel may be required as part of the job.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Respond to public requests for information and interpretation of the Development Code.
• Assist with research on prior land use actions and current zoning of properties.
• Advise applicants and citizens on zoning and development procedures.
• Assist planners with intake and sufficiency review of land use applications.
• Review and process minor development plans and building permits under supervision.
• Conduct field inspections for compliance with approved plans and conditions.
• Prepare staff reports or technical documentation for planning reviews.
• Present information to the Planning Commission or other boards when required.

Skills

GIS

Word processing

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Job Description

Closing date: 9/28/26 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Under general supervision and/or direction, performs a variety of entry-level professional planning roles for the Planning Division. Assists with research on prior land use actions, advises applicants and citizens on current zoning procedures, and reviews and processes minor building permits for remodeling, decks, pools, driveways, and other accessory structures. Interacts with the public, landowners, developers, staff, boards and commissions. Customer service and solution-oriented approaches to help to de-escalate and resolve conflict is required. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion.

Work is primarily performed on-site.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Responds to telephone, written and in-person requests from the public for information and interpretation related to the city's Development Code, rules, policies, procedures and regulations.
• Provides research assistance to the public and planners regarding prior land use actions on land within the city of Thornton.
• Advises applicants and citizens on the current zoning of property.
• Assists the professional planners with the intake and sufficiency review of land use applications.
• Reviews and processes minor development plans and temporary use applications under supervision and/or direction.
• Reviews and processes minor building permits for remodeling, decks, pools, and other accessory structures under supervision and/or direction.
• Reviews and processes non-allocated building permits under supervision and/or direction.
• Provides general research assistance to planners through the use of the computer, telephone and mail.
• Gathers data from other communities and organizations, and updates records.
• May analyze and review development proposals or applications generally minor in nature such as, subdivisions, architectural reviews, development plans, variance applications, building permits, and temporary use permits for compliance with appropriate planning principles, regulations, and policies.
• May advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public on the city's development policies, procedures, and standards and other land use matters including the current zoning of property. May assist in research of these matters.
• Conducts field inspections to verify compliance with approved plans and conditions. Reviews and approves building permits for zoning compliance.
• May design and prepare illustrative and graphic presentation materials for public hearings and meetings; utilizes the city's mapping programs.
• May retrieve, manipulate, and summarize information for planning reports.
• Prepares articles and correspondence related to planning issues or projects.
• May prepare technical staff reports.
• Researches local, regional and national planning issues.
• May give presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, or other boards and commissions.
• May facilitate resolution of conflicting views on projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
• Knowledge of city of Thornton Development Codes.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of several software programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and GIS.
• Knowledge of basic long-range planning principles.
• Knowledge of land use policies and development.
• Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and methods of municipal planning.
• Skill in interpreting plats and site plans.
• Skill in using computer mapping systems.
• Skill in performing routine and moderately complex current planning tasks.
• Skill in reviewing and analyzing site plans, subdivisions, architectural reviews, development plans, variances, building permits and temporary use permits.
• Ability to analyze data, issue findings, and develop recommendations.
• Ability to exercise discretion or independent judgment.
• Ability to conduct research by utilizing various sources of information.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple and competing tasks.
• Ability to handle conflicts and difficult people/situations.
• Ability to review and analyze development proposals.
• Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
• Ability to use standard computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
• Ability to identify problems or issues regarding planning issues and make sound recommendations based upon findings.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other governmental agencies, vendors and the general public.

Physical And Mental Requirements

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions.

TESTING PROCEDURES

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job relevant assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.