Planning Technician (Part-Time)

Vance County, NC; Henderson (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Vance County is seeking a Planning Technician to provide technical and administrative support in the Planning and Development Department. The role involves reviewing site plans for compliance, issuing permits after approval, and maintaining land use records while assisting customers with regulations.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and 1 year of related public-sector planning experience, with strong computer skills and familiarity with land use regulations.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of related experience in administrative office technology in public sector planning, including use of computer software for databases.

Responsibilities

• Review development site plans for compliance with land use regulations and ordinances.
• Issue development permits after supervisor approval and monitor permit limits.
• Maintain and update ZonePro database and parcel records.
• Assist public and professionals with planning and development information and permit processes.
• Prepare reports, payroll timesheets, and department budgeting documents.

Skills

Public service mindset

Communication

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

This position is open until filled.
The Human Resources Office is unable to provide status updates by telephone.
The salary range is listed above. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.

The Planning Technician performs technical and administrative support work in the County’s Planning and Development Department reviewing development site plans for compliance to ordinances and regulations; also provides general administrative and clerical support for the department. An employee in this class performs a variety of technical and administrative support duties including reviewing development site plans for compliance to basic land use, watershed, and related ordinances as well as floodplain requirements and issuing development permits after approval by the supervisor. Work includes assisting customers with land use regulation interpretations, answering questions, and providing back-up to other support staff. Work also includes creating and maintaining records on all developmental permits, updating the computer land use database, obtaining addressing information, and resolving addressing discrepancies. Work is supervised by the department’s Planning and Development Director and is evaluated based on conferences, review of assignments and annual performance evaluations.

• Performs site plan reviews to assure that land use regulations and other basic technical requirements are met; reviews for watershed, well and septic tank placement, utility easements, watershed and floodplain elevation requirements, etc.
• Issues development permits after approval; monitors permit limits; notifies permit holders of expiring permits with instructions for renewal.
• Reviews plats and maps; uses computer to research property information and gather data; contacts owners and informs of corrections and additions; makes changes to plats and parcel numbers.
• Provides technical assistance to the general public, property owners, builders, developers, realtors, contractors and attorneys, by telephone and in person; explains and advises public on regulations of watershed, development, subdivision, and related ordinances as well as floodplain requirements; fields telephone calls and deals with the public in person to answer questions on development ordinances and permits; assists customers with permit applications; verifies applications are County responsibility; sends extra territorial jurisdiction permit requests to the City of Henderson.
• Uses maps to determine flood zone elevations on specific property; advises individuals of requirements for certificate of elevation if applicable.
• Requests E911 to create address for property; prepares and mails notifications for 911 addressing to property owners; enters new or corrected address changes in database; researches address discrepancies; may make site visit to resolve discrepancies and assists with existing addresses.
• Prepares and maintains hard copy and electronic records on development permits; updates, edits and adds changes in property information into ZonePro database; audits open and closed development permit files for complete documentation.
• Performs a variety of administrative support duties including preparing daily deposits, regular reports, payroll time sheets, documentation for employee recruitment and personnel changes for Human Resources, and monthly billing for contractor payments; obtains purchase orders for department; monitors department budget expenditures; schedules classes and workshops for staff, and attends meetings and prepares minutes as needed.
• Provides back-up support for other administrative roles; answers phone and provides assistance with building permits; collects fees and provides receipts; codes bills and assists customers and the general public with planning and development information and requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of related experience in administrative office technology in public sector planning, including the use of computer software programs for databases; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to obtain Notary Public Certification within time frame established by department.

Special Requirements

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local government operations, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Knowledge of the County’s land use and development ordinances, FEMA regulations, land use and building permitting processes, and related regulations and policies of the County.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and applicable laws of public sector planning.
• Knowledge of the planning field and of the County’s development regulations.
• Knowledge of related office information technology equipment, software, and peripherals.
• Skill in the use of computers for creating correspondence, maintaining databases, compiling reports and storing and retrieving data.
• Skill in using judgement and initiative in the review of development applications.
• Ability to read accurately maps, plats, and site plans.
• Ability to apply applicable ordinances with tact and firmness.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms with tact and authority.
• Ability to analyze development issues and recommend solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, property owners, developers, and the general public.
• Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to get along with others, and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to multi-task and work within deadlines.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting purposes.
• Ability to use tact, courtesy, and firmness when in contact with developers, property owners, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Tasks may require the following abilities: climbing, balancing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, walking, fingering, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity to examine and work with maps, charts, and detailed materials, to operate a compute, use measurement devices, and to read extensively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment. Work is performed primarily in an office setting but may involve some site visits to resolve addressing discrepancies.

Please Note

If offered a position, official transcripts/verification of education must be submitted directly to the Human Resources Office from the educational institution(s) listed on application. Positions requiring a minimum education/certification must also have official documents submitted to the Human Resources Office. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted by the candidate with the application for consideration of meeting minimum job requirements.