Part Time Transit Driver I or II

Position Details

This is a regular, full time technical work position assisting the public at the Planning, Building and Community permit center. Generally, the public’s initial point of customer service. Under direct supervision of the Permit and Administrative Manager, the Planning Technician provides general information on the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and other planning related policies and procedures to the public, City staff and representatives of other agencies. The Planning Technician also provides a variety of technical tasks to assist the professional staff and may from time to time also provide administrative and clerical support services such as contract and grant coordination, filing, preparing public notices, etc. as needed

Primary Duties

Generally provides to the public its initial point of customer service relating to the planning portion of the permitting process. Answers questions and provides information to the public at the front counter, via telephone, and/or electronic mail correspondence.

Receives and processes various applications for planning approval and permits generally considered more routine and administrative in nature.

Provides technical support for the by assisting the public with development review permit submittals, providing specific information on submittal requirements, fees, the submittal process, etc.

Assists in responding to requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public, providing basic property information and interpreting the zoning ordinance.

Resolves issues appropriately; calls other staff members to the counter if the issue is beyond authority to resolve or scope of knowledge.

Coordinates timely processing and reviews of City business licenses in coordination with Department staff, other City staff and other agencies.

Receives and processes applications for less complex, more routine applications such as minor administrative approvals, sign permits, temporary uses permits and other similar minor permits.

Conducts field surveys and compiles property research, including zoning history, size, dimensions, development patterns, and land use and property ownership.

Prepares written reports and correspondence, maintains a variety of records and files, and assists as needed in the maintenance and updating of various city databases.

Assists in preparation of reports to Council Committees, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner and other bodies.

Updates and maintains statistical records, including but not limited to: land use trends, population trends, building permits, assessor’s map amendments, and development application activity.

From time to time performs a variety of routine work such as, filing, billing, copying, and checking and recording information on various records, taking notes, preparing minutes.

Effectively uses computerized permit tracking system as well as provides problem solving and system coordination as related to permit issuance. Responsible for timely computer entry, file preparation and routing of assigned permit applications.

Maintains current working knowledge and assists in ensuring compliance with the regulations and limitations of all codes and ordinances enforced by the Planning Division and the inter-relationship between building and land use codes and development proposals.

Verbally communicates technical and non-technical information to others within the profession, to other staff, citizens and the development community.

Plans, prioritizes and organizes workflow in order to meet position and departmental goals and deadlines; works independently.

Works effectively, courteously, and in a professional manner while working with interruptions, strict deadlines and handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Due to internal and external customer service needs, incumbent must be able to work a full time schedule, on-site (appropriate City work sites).

Completes work and projects in a thorough and timely manner.

Works courteously and effectively with public officials, citizens, contractors, vendors, developers, supervisor, and other employees, both in person and over the telephone; assisting them with a wide variety of information pertaining to City and department.

Assists as needed in the preparation of various brochures and other handouts related to the permit center.

Shows Initiative In Performing Job Functions.

Processes any money that may be remitted by mail for permits either transmitting it to the Finance Department or returning it to the applicant, whichever is appropriate; processes and keeps records for all permit refunds as directed.

Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or the equivalent and a bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental studies, public administration, economics, business, geography, or a related field, and six (6) months experience in planning, administration, public administration, or a related field, preferably in local government, that involved heavy public contact and which provided the necessary skills and experience to perform the responsibilities of the position; OR a combination of education, experience and training that would indicate successful performance of the primary function listed above.

Possess and retain a valid state driver’s license without impending loss at time of appointment.

• Medical/Dental/Orthodontia/Vision Insurance: These insurance plans are part of the Association of Washington cities Benefit Trust Plan.
  
  

Unaffiliated employees are covered by their choice of Regence Blue Shield Preferred Provider (PPO) or Group Health Cooperative Medical Insurance. Employees choosing the PPO plan, pay a total $0 montly cost share portion of the medical premium for coverage of themselves; and a small percentage for the premium of their eligible dependents. Employees choosing Group Health pay a monthly cost share portion of the premium that is equal to the difference between the total cost of the Group Health plan and what the City pays toward the PPO plan. The City pays the total monthly premiums on dental, orthodontia and vision coverage for all regular, full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Dental coverage is through the employee's choice of either the Washington Dental Service or Willamette Dental Service; vision is through the Vision Service Plan (VSP).

• COBRA: Per federal law, all city employees, spouses and dependents are allowed to extend their health benefits in circumstances when coverage would normally terminate. Employees, spouses and dependents have the option of continuing health care coverage on a self pay basis, at group rates, when termination of employment, death of the employee/retiree, divorce or legal separation, or a dependent child becomes ineligible under the health plan.
• Flexible Benefits Plan: This program allows employees to reduce their taxable income by enrolling in the City sponsored Flexible Benefits Plan (derived from IRC Section 125) covering medical premiums, certain out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses, and certain dependent care costs. Contributions are employee only. The maximum yearly Health Care Reimbursement is $2,400; the maximum Dependant Care Reimbursement is $5,000.
• HRA/VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association) Plan & Trust: This program provides a tax-free savings account for employee use to pay for medical, dental and vision (health related) expenses that are not paid by any other benefit plan ("out-of-pocket"), for the employee, spouse and/or qualified dependents. The mandatory employee contribution is 1.5% of base pay each pay period. The City contibutes 2% of base pay each pay period. The employee has a number of different funding programs from which to choose. The money is tax free (reduce taxable income) upon contribution, tax free while growing, and tax free upon reimbursement.
• Retirement System: Employees must belong to the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Contribution rates for the employee and City vary, as directed by the State. Employees are vested after 5 years in PERS 2; after 10 years in PERS 3.
  
  

The employee’s contribution is made as a mandatory payroll deduction. When an employee leaves City employment (except at retirement or starting another PERS eligible position) the amount that the employee has paid into the system, plus interest, may be returned to him/her upon written request.

• Deferred Compensation Program: Employees may voluntarily contribute to any of the five programs, and can sign up at any time. There is no City contribution. The maximum yearly contribution is $17,500, plus an "Over 50 catch up" maximum contribution of $5,500, if qualified.
• Life Insurance: The City pays the full the premium on a term life insurance policy of $10,000 on the employee. The insurer is The Standard Insurance Company. Supplemental insurance is available for purchase by the employee.
• Short-term and Long Term Disability: The City pays the full premium on short-term and long-term disability insurance. This coverage is applicable to non-occupational injuries or illnesses. The insurer is The Standard Insurance Co.
• Long Term Care Insurance: The City pays the full premium on a basic long-term care policy. Employees have the option to “buy-up” on their policy. The employee’s family members (spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and grandparents-in-law), if qualfied, are eligible to purchase a policy at the City’s group rates.
• Employee Assistance Program: The City pays the full premium for a confidential Employee Assistance Program through APS Healthcare to assist employees and their family members in dealing with work, family, marital, financial, substance abuse, legal issues, etc. This is short-term, confidential counseling and various community referrals.
• Holidays: There are 12 paid holidays per year, which includes two "floating" holidays (days of the employee's choice - with the concurrence of the supervisor).
• Sick Leave: Employees accrue four hours per pay period. Employees may accrue up to 960 hours. The City will pay an employee 25% of the accumulated and unused sick leave over 960 hours that is on record as of December 31 of each year. Non-exempt employees are eligible for wellness days based upon sick leave hours used/not used throughout the previous calendar year.
• Vacation Leave: Employees accrue one day per month (equivalent to 12 days per year) through the first four years of employment. Increases thereafter are made per policy. Employees can maintain a bank of vacation leave of up to an amount equivalent of two years of their accrual rate, at which point they will not continue to accrue vacation. Vacation leave cannot be used for the first three months, other than applying it top their 9x80 holiday schedule, but it does accrue during that 90-day period.
• Pay Days: All employees are generally paid on the 8th and 23rd of each month. Should the payday fall on the weekend or holiday, paychecks will be issued on the previous workday. Paychecks are based upon the gross pay period amount and not hours worked in that pay period. The hourly wage is only used for computing overtime.
• Automatic Payroll Deposit: Employees may choose any financial institution for direct deposit of their payroll check.
• Credit Union: City employees are eligible to join the Sound Credit Union. Contributions, loan payments and savings can be made by payroll deduction.
• Tuition Reimbursement: The City has a formal program in which employees may be eligible to receive educational tuition reimbursement of up to $2,000 per calendar year for regular, full time employees.
• Worker's Compensation: The City use the Washingiton State Industrial Insurance Fund to cover employee on-the-job industrial injuries or occupational diseases.
• Work Duties and Standards/Hours of Work: The supervisor and/or department head will explain the employee's duties and work performance standards. If the employee has any questions regarding personnel policies or procedures, he/she can discuss them with the supervisor or a Human Resources staff member. The City core business hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some positions may require different shift assignments, on-call responsibilities or other position requirements.
• Orientation Period: New employees serve a one-year orientation period. During this time, performance in many areas will be formally evaluated. In the event that work performance is not acceptable, the employment relationship may be terminated during the orientation period. Unacceptable performance following the orientation period will also be grounds for dismissal.
• Promotion/Lateral Transfer Policy: New employees may not apply for any City positions prior to completing six months of service, excluding those made by Mayoral appointment. Employees who are promoted or laterally transferred may not apply for another City position until completing six months in the new position, excluding those made by Mayoral appointment.
  
  

01

In addition to your employment application, please answer the following questions that will be used to evaluate your qualifications and experience. Please be complete in your response in order to receive maximum credit. Describe your computer experience, including your familiarity with the Windows environment, Word 7.0, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and any experience with a permit tracking system.

02

Describe your experience in working with comprehensive plans and zoning codes and other land use ordinances.

03

Describe your customer service skills, as related to providing information to the general public, contractors, engineers and developers.

04

Describe your experience with the intake and tracking of land use applications as well as the overall management of the processing of those applications

• Required Question