Planning Technician (Open Competitive)

City of El Segundo; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of El Segundo seeks a full-time Planning Technician to support planning and development activities. The role emphasizes customer service, organization, and dependable support for zoning, permits, and enforcement.

Under supervision, you will assist with current and long-range planning, prepare staff reports and maps, and help ensure compliance with city policies and laws.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting planning laws, codes and policies.
• Ability to compile and present planning information in staff reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Respond to public inquiries at the counter, by phone, and in writing about zoning and development.
• Perform plan checks for zoning compliance and review permit applications.
• Prepare staff reports, resolutions, and present applications at Planning Commission.
• Investigate complaints and maintain case records for enforcement actions.
• Assist with current and long-range planning projects and prepare maps.

Skills

Interpreting laws

Researching information

Reading maps

Communicating effectively

Conflict resolution

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field

Job description

The City of El Segundo is seeking a full-time Planning Technician to support the City's planning and development activities. We are looking for a detail-oriented and dependable professional with strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills. Join our team and help support the City's community planning and development efforts.

Definition

Under limited supervision, provides technical-related staff support to the planning function and activities.

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

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to public inquiries at the counter, on the telephone and in writing regarding zoning code, code enforcement, permitted uses, current development projects and the like.
• Performs plan checks for zoning code compliance and reviews and approves designated permit applications; assesses fees; establishes conditions for permit approval to comply with relevant laws, ordinances, regulations and City policies; performs final field inspections to ensure compliance.
• Receives and evaluates variance, conditional use permit and related applications; ensures application packages are complete; prepares staff reports and resolutions and presents applications at Planning Commission meetings.
• Receives complaints regarding zoning, noise, odor and other designated municipal code violations; conducts building permit and related preliminary research and establishes complaint file; prepares documentation for use by compliance officers and/or the City Attorney; maintains records on case status, disposition and related activity and prepares reports.
• Prepares abatement letters; conducts follow-up procedures including preparation of correspondence, site visits, communications with complainants, attorneys and property owners; gathers and summarizes case materials and prepares cases for legal action; appears in Court to present testimony.
• Assists with current and long range planning projects and activities including research, compilation of information, inspections, and preparation of special reports related to general planning work; assists in preparing maps and charts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge of

• Planning, environmental, zoning, building inspection, and safety laws and concepts; and
• Site planning and planning-related information sources and research techniques.

Skill in

• Interpreting, applying and explaining laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures;
• Researching, gathering and evaluating information and preparing written reports;
• Reading and interpreting maps, plans and legal descriptions;
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing;
• Dealing constructively with conflict and developing effective resolutions and
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, other City employees and the public.

Qualifications

A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

One (1) year of planning-related work experience, including some experience in municipal code enforcement activities.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, architecture, environmental design, landscape architecture or a related field.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

None.

Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.