General Description

The Planning Technician performs a variety of para-professional to professional technical planning duties and assignments in current and/or advanced planning. The Planning Technician is responsible for general office and project organization and providing administrative assistance to further the efforts of the Planning Division, including the in-take process and the review of petitions. The Planning Technician provides a large amount of information to the public and is a main point of contact for zoning and development questions and customer service. This position will be under the immediate supervision of the Planner III.

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as primary customer service contact and provides general information regarding land use, zoning, petitions, and fees.
• Greets and answers the phone regarding various questions concerning zoning and land use.
• Assists in collecting and analyzing data for various planning projects and programs.
• Prepares advisory board agendas and minutes.
• Receives, accepts for filing, and processes a variety of planning and land use petitions and reviews petitions to ensure completeness of application and provision of pertinent information.
• Provides administrative support to inspectors, planners and plans examiners.
• Preparation of board packages and agendas.
• Maintains department records and filing systems as required.
• Maintains informational materials for the public.
• Updates the City’s website.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• General knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including maintaining accurate records.
• Excellent skills in customer service, including ability to communicate effectively, both in person and in writing.
• Skilled in the use small of office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Skilled in using computers for word processing and accounting purposes.
• Ability to organize and communicate effectively.
• Ability to use computer software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and enter data accurately from a wide variety of source documents.
• Ability to produce and maintain financial and statistical records, if required, and to prepare periodic reports from such records.
• Ability to plan, organize and use mature judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions in accordance with established policy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Excellent time management and accuracy.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma is preferred.
• Four (4) years responsible office experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in customer service and public contact work.

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida Driver’s license by date of hire.

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.
Aetna – Health Insurance
The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.
Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance

The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.
EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance

The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.
Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance

The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.
Cigna – Short Term Disability

The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.
E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account

A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.
Trustmark– Supplemental Polices

Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.
LifeLock Benefit Solutions
Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.
ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans

The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.
Florida Retirement System – FRS

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.
Cigna – Employee Assistance Program

The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.
VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance
The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.
Florida Prepaid College Board
Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program

Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).
Paid Holidays

The City observes 12 paid holidays per year.
Sick Leave and Annual Leave
Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.
Sick Leave Incentive

Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.
Personal Leave

Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.
Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".