Planning Technician

POSITION SUMMARY  
The Town of Holly Springs is searching for a Planning Technician to serve in the Development Services department. This position is responsible to provide technical assistance and customer service for planning and land use issues and to perform processing and technical review of Unified Development Ordinance Permits and building permits for residential and non-residential developments. Provides support for customer inquiries related to development standards and policies and assists customers with the Town's development planning processes.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS
Planning Technician reports to the Development Services Manager – Customer Service and Compliance. Works under general guidance from the Division Manager to ensure coordination of objectives and priorities of the department. Incumbent has no supervisory responsibilities. 

The work schedule is business hours with occasional evenings and weekends.  The starting annual salary is $54,620.25 (Grade G). ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1.Serves as point of contact within Development Service to provide customer service to internal and external customers including builders, developers, design professionals, and general public; greets, receives and screens visitors and customers, on phone and in person; addresses and resolves customer questions as able and refers complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.   
a.Responds to and resolves or refers public inquiries related to zoning and/or addressing matters.
b.Assists applicants with use of development software and permit submittal.
c. Responds to questions in department’s general email account or forwards to appropriate employee.
2.Conducts detailed plan review of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) permits and building permits.
a.Interprets and applies ordinances and regulations; 
b.Reviews applications for conformance with code requirements;
c.Coordinates corrections;
d.Issues UDO permits;
e.Reviews and processes foundation surveys;
f.Conducts detailed plan review of Wake County Well/Septic Requests for compliance with Holly Springs Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
3.Conducts inspections of UDO Permits upon completion for quality of work and adherence to the approved plans and specifications as well as any conditional use zoning or special site requirements and specifications prior to release of Certificate of Compliance, as needed.
4.Receives complaints and public concerns.  Resolves matters or directs for proper disposition.
5.Development Services representative for Special Event Committee reviewing applications and relaying permitting information for the department.
6.Prepares and assigns street addresses for subdivisions and new developments as well as prepare address corrections and changes when appropriate, and distributes information to other departments, official agencies, and affected property owners. Complete addressing review for non-residential construction review as part of the Civil Construction review process.
a.Ensures addressing meets e-911 and USPS regulations.
7.Coordinates address database issues with Wake County and reviews plans for addressing concerns i.e. assigning new addresses, street names, etc.; provides comments to plat applicants regarding updates to submittals; coordinates street sign applications with Public Works.
a.Updates and maintains Town of Holly Springs and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction addresses in the Wake County Master Address Repository (MAR).
8.Maintains addressing database for Finance Department to use for utility accounts. Reviews address database for correct and consistent entries. 
9.Updates temporary addresses in Development Services project tracking software, CityView as new addresses are recorded in Wake County. 
a.Applies lot holds to parcel and contacts inspectors for clarifications; places lot holds on new parcels; removes lot holds as directed by inspectors and responds to staff queries about lot holds.
10.Assists with research, analysis, and technical support to special projects.
a.Preforms report generation from Development tracking software.
11.Preforms GIS work for Planning team to create GIS maps for public engagement.
12.Assists Communications Department with maintenance and improvements of Development Services website. 
13.Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

•Knowledge of the local, state and federal laws, regulations, zoning, land use, and other ordinances and codes. 
•Working knowledge or ability to gain knowledge and understanding of the Town’s technical ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to land use planning and development including the Unified Development Ordinance, Development Procedures Manual, Comprehensive Plan, Town Code, and Town Policies and Procedures.
•Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications, reference books, complicated procedures and manuals, blueprints, etc.  
•Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations. 
•Perform detailed and accurate work.
•Ability to discuss the application of regulations with firmness and tact.
•Ability to express ideas effectively in oral and written forms.
Skill in conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, and public presentations.
•Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
•Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the Town.
•Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
•Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations. 
•Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
•Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
•Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
•Knowledge of current office practices and procedures consistent for this position.
•Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.
•Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
•Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form. 
•Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
•Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
•Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
•Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
•Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
•Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
•Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
•Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed. 

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.  

•This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
•Work has standard vision requirements.
•Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
•Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
•Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
•Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting and in the field with adverse environmental conditions including inclement weather and hazardous conditions including mechanical, electrical, fumes, odors, dust/mist, chemicals and exposure to insects.
   
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, geography, landscape architecture, or closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Two (2) years’ work experience in building construction, code enforcement or plan review.

Salary : $54,620 - $81,930