PUBLIC WORK'S DEPARTMENT - PLANNING TECHNICIAN

Acceptable Experience and Education

Associate’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or Drafting Technology or related field from an accredited university or college, and two (2) years increasingly responsible Para-engineering experience, with six (6) months comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of CAD.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Essential Duties

Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the administration of specific planning program areas or Orders;

Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying and answering telephone; develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records for budgetary and public accountability purposes;

Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources, including preparing public notices or property owner verifications;

Prepares maps, charts, tables of limited complexity, as well as staff narratives based on various templates and adopted forms, summarizing various investigations of subject properties related to enforcement of County planning regulations and Court Orders, including site visits;

Coordinates with Commissioners Court and County Administration staff related to neighborhood-oriented request, in coordination with the Department’s Assistant Planner, including identifying the need and, if applicable, placement of necessary traffic-calming measures along County right-of-way; 

Attends public meetings, including Development Coordination Committee meetings with the City of El Paso, serving as technical and administrative support to other planning staff as appropriate;

Reviews specified construction project plans, designs and calculations, and monitor compliance with specified technical codes, rules and regulations, in accordance with well established procedures, including reviewing plans prepared by consultants, contractors, engineers and architects; finalizes reports

Reviews construction plans for compliance with storm water management regulations, water and wastewater systems and irrigation systems as well as verification of street location, traffic control plans, drainage improvements, utilities and other facilities to serve subdivisions, including administrative verification that the plans and drawings are reasonably drawn and compliant with County requirements;

Schedules, monitors, and inspects assigned construction site projects during all phases to verify conformance to technical code and ordinances, federal and county regulations;

Contacts various public and private agencies to gather and exchange information to contractors and citizens; 

Coordinates with inspector(s) on inspection activity directly related to approved grading/drainage plans or other civil-construction subject to inspection, including development within the floodplain or as determined by the Department’s Floodplain Administrator;

Assists the Department’s Floodplain Administrator with the implementation of various rules, policies, processes and procedures related to mitigating storm water runoff effects and compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulations, including enforcement of the County Flood Damage Prevention Order and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit; 

Develops and drafts plans and specifications from sketches, diagrams, raw data and narrative verbal descriptions for various projects, including water, storm drain lines, drainage, runoff control, related site or street development or modifications;   

Researches existing structures and designs; gathers data;; creates design sketches for feasibility and engineering design development and approval; creates final designs on minor projects; coordinates design changes with contractors and engineers; prepares cost estimates;

Collects GIS and Survey data using the GPS system; records data either in field books or electronically; transfers gathered data to permanent record by drafting methods or electronically; 

Gathers information/data and performs advanced professional level work in the preparation of engineering plans, maps, right of way documents and related CAD drawings;

Establishes and enforces procedures to expedite and improve processes, including coordinating with the Assistant Planner in the Department to facilitate the review assignments of plats, subdivision improvement plans as well as grading/drainage plans;

Recommends actions and participates in the implementation of programs, policies, or other professional activities in the area assigned;

Maintains and provides documents and information regarding the issuance of certificates of plat compliance; maintains files and records; performs research on land ownership from warranty deeds and documents; 

Identifies County properties and addresses; assigns addresses and property descriptions;

Provides technical assistance to the general public by responding to telephone inquiries regarding addresses and property locations; contacts title companies and real estate agencies regarding property descriptions and warranty deeds;

Provides assistance in the development and maintenance of Geographic Information System data;

Other Important Duties*

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor. 

Summary of Position

The Planning Technician under general supervision of the Director of Planning & Development, performs technical engineering office and field activities to support land development, transportation, engineering and other projects. The incumbent performs professional-level duties on a daily basis to achieve short- and long-term goals of the department’s assigned area. 

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Director of Planning & Development

Directs: This is a non-supervisory position.

Other: Has frequent contact with representatives of local, state and federal funding agencies and other relevant organizations, general public and other county employees.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: planning principles and practices, including pertinent specialties; principles and practices of research and data collection; effective writing techniques; statistical, algebraic or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations; computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS; the principles and practices of manual and computer-aided drafting and design; cartography; geographical information systems; of skills, processes, and best practices in the area of engineering and CAD design; the principles and practices of effective customer service; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products. 

Skill/Ability to: read and interpret engineering plans and specifications, plats and other related documents; read and understand county, state and federal regulations and ordinances be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; display an ability to prioritize and manage several tasks; display a high degree of self-motivation; understand report writing and statistics; time management; make sound decisions in an expeditious manner; read, analyze and interpret for public understanding common scientific and technical journals; percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; work expeditiously and accurately under pressure; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable; schedule, and train; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work, bilingual preferred; Pass a Criminal Background Check;

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: 

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence