CITY OF COLUMBUS
JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: PLANNER TECHNICIAN
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
LOCATION: CITY HALL
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
HOURS WORKED: 40.0 HOURS PER WEEK
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt (Confidential – Private Data Employee)

SUMMARY

Under direction of City Planner or Zoning Administrator, performs a variety of planning tasks at the public counter and the office, including basic intake and review of a wide variety of land use and development proposals, basic file research and maintenance, and map reading; prepares simple technical reports; creates and maintains databases; assists City Planner and Zoning Administrator with research and planning studies; and performs other duties as required.

This position provides support to City Planner and Zoning Administrator by applying basic procedures of City Land Use Ordinances, Comprehensive Plan, and other regulatory guidelines to receive and review various land use proposals in response to public inquiries. This position will assist in the most routine applications and planning studies regarding land use interpretation; complex problems are referred to the City
Planner or Zoning Administrator including the handling of private and confidential data.

DUTIES

• Receives zoning and land use application questions from the public in-person, phone or via email and responds or forwards the questions to the appropriate staff in a timely manner.
• Maintains records of all permits issued and applications in progress; logs information into computer; supervises and assists in departmental record retention management program; maintains database to track permit review process, permit compliance, and progress towards performance measures.
• Provides first level review of land use proposals for basic conformance with land use policies and procedures contained in Comprehensive Plan, City zoning ordinance and other regulatory guidelines; reviews building permits involving residential construction, grading, signs, change of use, parking and other similar permits; advises applicants of required land use standards and application contents; assigns house numbers.
• Provides a timely documented response to a variety of procedural and recorded information requests by the public, including case file information, zoning, and land use requirements, and assessor's parcel number; receives and records permit fees.
• Assists City Planner, Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission with research and planning studies by compiling data and preparing reports; assists researching cases and compiling reports for zoning complaints; assists in the coordination of regular departmental meetings.

FUNCTIONS

• Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the administration of specific planning programs areas or ordinances
• Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records to include invoicing and escrow tracking for all planning & zoning permits
• Reviews non-complex building plans and zoning permit applications to assure compliance with zoning requirements.
• Attends and records minutes of planning commission meetings and workshops, public hearings (verbatim recording of testimony) and other related public meetings, assisting other staff as appropriate.
• Prepares and distributes Planning Commission minutes, meeting packet materials, and operates Zoom for meetings. Provides staff support for Planning

Commission.

• Prepares narrative staff reports and recommendations of limited complexity, such as event licenses, driveway, and sign permits.
• Research and compiles information from multiple relevant sources on a variety of planning issues.
• Prepares supporting maps, charts, and tables of limited complexity for use by staff, consultant, Planning Commission and City Council.
• Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying and answering telephone inquiries.

OTHER DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate with other city employees to staff and support elections
• Performs other duties as assigned by City Administrator.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Baccalaureate degree in urban planning or related field.
• One year of experience in plans review, zoning administration, issuing building permits.

ESSENTIAL KEY ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Planning principles and practices, including pertinent specialties at a level to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Principles and practices of research and data collection as necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.

Skills and Competencies

• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately, to inquiries from the public, staff members, Planning Commissioners, Council Members and members of other governmental units.
• Proficiency in effective writing techniques.
• Mastery of computer hardware and software programs, which may include but is not limited to Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS.
• Ability to effectively and clearly communicate in oral and written form.

• Establish, organize, and maintain complex, specialized, and extensive files and records.
• Ability to plan and organize workflows to meet deadlines, needs, expectations, and rapidly changing priorities.
• Execute effective problem-solving skills and ability to gather relevant information to clarify and respond to vaguely defined practical questions and issues.
• Ability to review site plans.
• Ability to effectively work on several projects or issues simultaneously prioritizing them appropriately.
• Ability to work with equal competence, independently or in a team environment.

Professional Attitude:

• Must be committed to public service; having the willingness to take initiative and demonstrate dependability, maturity, and self-confidence.
• Demonstrates ability to represent the organization and administrative operations effectively and professionally, both internally and externally, with a courteous, helpful, accurate, and businesslike attitude in all telephonic, written, electronic, and personal contact.
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain an effective and respectful working relationship with department heads, elected officials, staff, and other agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Speak, read, write and understand English.
• Hearing normal or corrected to normal.
• Eyesight 20/40 or corrected to 20/40.
• Sit 8 or more hours per day, with occasional breaks.
• Bend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, balance or reach as required.
• Ability to operate a keyboard and view a computer monitor for up to 8 or more hours per day, with occasional breaks.
• Ability to occasionally lift, push or pull up to 20lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office environment and includes everyday risk and discomforts which require sound safety precautions typical of an office, with the need to observe safe work practices in the use of typical office equipment and public health practices.

City Council Approved 03.22.2023

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.41 - $25.42 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Forest Lake, MN 55025: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person

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