Job: Planning Technician

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Hourly

Wage: $19.16-$28.94/hr. 

Location: Buena Vista, CO.

Job Description

Performing technical, administrative, and customer service duties in support of land use planning and development, the Planning Technician is a vital part of the Town of Buena Vista's staff. This position is the 'point of entry' for all new land use and development inquiries, helps the public understand how to properly navigate the Unified Development Code to achieve their goals, and works with the rest of the Planning Department to coordinate Planning Zoning Commission meetings, development application reviews, agency referrals, addresses, and more. Will be required to attend regular night meetings.

JOB DUTIES The following statements illustrate the job's essential functions and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. The Town of Buena Vista reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential and additional functions of the job at any time.

Answers phones and assists customers at the front counter with all aspects of land use planning and development, including but not limited to zoning questions, issuing Town clearances for building permits, completing development applications, and analyzing proposals for compliance with code requirements.

• Schedules, coordinates, and documents pre-application meetings.
• Conducts preliminary review and acceptance check of all applications, plats, maps, documents, files, and other data related to planning.
• Conducts site visits for the purpose of measuring setbacks, confirming construction is proceeding according to zoning requirements and approved plans, identifying possible code violations, and miscellaneous troubleshooting.
• Keeps detailed records and maintains files for all documents related to land use planning, building permits, improvement agreements, development applications, plats, maps, electronic GIS data, etc.
• Systematically combs through the Planning Department's digital Address folders to clean up irrelevant or duplicative copies of documents and clearly renames the file names of final versions.
• Systematically digitizes Planning Department paper files, saving the files into the appropriate digital folders and correctly disposing of the paper copies.
• Prepares project files, information packets, and review instructions for development applications.
• Assists the Planning Director and Planning personnel, other coworkers, applicants, and members of the public in preparing for public hearings related to permit applications and land use planning.
• Assists the Planning personnel in coordinating Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agendas, posting agendas, and compiling Commission packets.
• Sends out packets to Commissioners.
• Attends Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and events.
• Records meetings and takes official minutes.
• Coordinates public noticing of land use matters, including sending notices to the newspaper, mailing notices to neighboring property owners, and creating public notice signs for applicants and ensuring that these are posted by deadlines established in the Municipal Code.
• Organizes and manages planning records, maps, plats, files, GIS data, and other hardcopy and electronic information for the purpose of maintaining land use archives in an orderly manner.
• Assists the Planning Director with my-BV.com website content upkeep and generation including promotion of specific tools, project pages, and topics.
• Systematically enters past development review applications and their related documents into the new cloud-based development review software known as SmartGov.
• Collaborates with Code Enforcement to ensure new and existing buildings, signs, uses and permits comply with all aspects of the Municipal Code.
• Responds to public inquiries with accurate references to applicable land use code.
• Maintains a proactive, customer service oriented, and positive working relationship with the public.
• Other duties as assigned by the Planning Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office, BlueBeam, Internet resources
• Zoning practices and land use planning, including enforcement of related codes and ordinances
• Methods and practices of building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical trades
• Architectural design guidelines and methods

Skills and Ability to:

• Work in an organized, accurate, and efficient manner with minimal supervision Interact with the public in a calm and courteous manner 
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, plans, plats, maps, and specifications
• Read site plans for compliance with zoning requirements
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Use personal computer equipment and software, including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet applications
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, architects, contractors, property owners, coworkers, the general public, elected and appointed officials
• Provide a "no" answer when needed and provide answers/alternatives that can get to a "yes" answer
• Communicate requirements for the Town at all stages, from initial design to completion of a project
• Be detail-oriented and good at managing time in order to accomplish tasks in an efficient manner

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Training:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree with major course work in planning, urban design, construction management, GIS systems, or related field preferred.

License or Certificates:

Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license.

Work Experience:

At least two years of increasingly responsible work in an office environment required. Small, rural community experience preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of the job. Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or paper, and reaching with hands and arms.

Environment: Most duties of this position are performed in an office environment and involve sitting at a computer for extended periods. Some duties will be performed outdoors, including in inclement weather.

Physical: Frequent sitting, standing, step climbing, and walking. Must be capable of lifting 30 pounds. May require reaching and lifting above the shoulders, climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching. Must be able to operate motor vehicles.

Vision: Must have good close, distance, and peripheral vision, as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Hearing: Must be able to talk and hear in order to communicate information and maintain awareness of the environment. Employee must be able to use a telephone. 

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.