Planning Technician Or Assistant Planner I

Planning Technician

$30.99 - $37.67/hour

Steps 1 - 5

OR

Assistant Planner I

$37.76 - $45.90/hour

Steps 1 - 5

The City of Santa Clarita is hiring one position at either a Planning Technician or an Assistant Planner I level depending on skill level and qualifications.

The Planning Technician will be responsible for assisting customers at the public counter and on the phone with planning questions; reviewing over-the-counter permits, entitlement applications, and plot plans; conducting research and planning studies; and making public presentations on a variety of planning issues.

The Assistant Planner I position will be responsible for assisting customers at the public counter; reviewing subdivisions, zoning, and development requests; performing planning studies; and presenting to the Planning Commission on a variety of planning issues.

Planning Technician Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establishes positive working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
• Provides assistance to customers on the phone and at the public counter; responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests
• Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues
• Performs planning studies, conducts research, does site surveys, and prepares reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections
• Maintains planning files for the division; tracks and orders forms and supplies for the planning counter; inputs planning data into an online database
• Reviews over-the-counter permits, entitlement applications, and plot plans; initiates the land use entitlement process by gathering application materials and creating project files; prepares case files for distribution; prepares planning-related correspondence
• Provides information to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff for the development of graphs and maps

Assistant Planner I Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interprets planning policies, laws, and ordinances; reviews planning proposals; establishes conditions for project approval to ensure compliance with these policies, laws, and ordinances
• Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues
• Responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests; provides assistance to customers on the phone and at the public counter; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning-related matters
• Conducts site surveys and formulates site design alternatives within the regulations of the Unified Development Code
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives from developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
• Performs planning studies, conducts research and analysis, and writes technical planning reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections
• Issues home occupancy permits, conditional and minor use permits, oak tree permits, and other over-the-counter permits
• Prepares planning documents, including staff reports, resolutions, and environmental review documents

Planning Technician

• Experience providing customer service in person and on the phone is desired, preferably within a municipal planning environment
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver license

Assistant Planner I

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver license
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field
• One year of professional planning experience in public or private sector is desirable, preferably in a planning organization
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered

• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to make clear presentations regarding complex planning issues, and communicate effectively with employees and the public in a way that represents a positive City image to the public, employees, and the development community
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to review and evaluate development plans and prepare graphic displays to illustrate planning data
• Strong mathematical skills and the ability to read figures quickly and accurately and solve mathematical calculations
• The ability to drag, push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public
• Knowledge of land use, planning, and zoning policies and processes and the ability to use this knowledge to explain regulations and policies to customers and review and evaluate development plans
• Strong work ethic and the ability to conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to interact with people in a tactful, professional, and helpful manner
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare technical correspondence, reports, and PowerPoint presentations pertaining to planning principles
• Familiarity with the subdivision map act and the California Environmental Quality Act
• Strong conflict management skills and the ability to effectively address and resolve customer issues at the counter, on the phone, and by email
• Strong computer skills and the ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create planning-related correspondence, reports, and presentations
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage time, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work in an environment with constant interruptions, consistently meet deadlines, and be flexible to changing priorities

Assistant Planner I Knowledge and Abilities only:

• The ability to review and evaluate planning, zoning, and development plans and recommend workable solutions

This position will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, July 31, 2023.

An online completed City application form is required to apply for this position. All employment information must be provided on the application. Providing a resume is not a substitute for completing this section of the application. Applications left incomplete, or with a reference to attachments may be rejected. The selection process will include one or more of the following: written exam, technical knowledge assessment, writing skill assessment, and/or oral interviews that may be conducted in person and/or via video conferencing. Applicants that meet minimum qualifications and are selected for interviews will be required to disclose information regarding criminal convictions. If you require special accommodations to participate in the application/selection process, please notify Human Resources for assistance.

All offers of regular employment with the City of Santa Clarita are made contingent upon receipt of proof of legal right to work in the United States, successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment physical, which may include a drug screen and Department of Justice fingerprinting. Criminal offender information will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The City uses the E-Verify program to electronically confirm work authorization of newly hired employees. All new employees are required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program. This program authorizes the City to receive a driver record report upon enrollment and during employment. Only degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation will be accepted.

As a City of Santa Clarita public employee, you may be called upon to work as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) in the event of an emergency (in accordance with Government Code §§ 3100-3109). Before entering upon the duties of employment, all public employees, except those excluded by law, take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation set forth in the California Constitution, declaring them to be Disaster Service Workers in time of need.

Compensation includes enrollment in California Public Employees’ Retirement System as a replacement for Social Security plus a competitive benefits package. All appointments are made at step 1 of the salary range unless otherwise authorized by the City Manager.

For more information and to apply online please visit www.santa-clarita.com.

The City of Santa Clarita is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Santa Clarita offers CalPERS Retirement contributions as a replacement for Social Security plus a competitive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.