The City of Tustin is currently seeking applications for Planning Technician. This recruitment is open until filled and may close at any time. The first review date will be July 25, 2022.

Under immediate supervision, performs entry level professional work in the field of municipal planning in support of professional planning staff. The Planning Technician is the trainee classification in the professional Planner series which is designed to provide on-the-job training to aspiring municipal planners. Assignments are generally limited in scope and set within procedural frameworks established by higher-level positions. Employees in this classification may be rotated to different assignments in order to gain experience in the various aspects of municipal planning. As experience is gained, the incumbent may perform with increasing independence and work on more advanced projects. In contrast with the Assistant Planner, a Planning Technician works under the close supervision of and in direct support of one or more professional Planners.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Immediate supervision is provided by professional Planners and management staff. No supervision is exercised.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the analysis and interpretation of social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; assists in the preparation of written reports on various planning and environmental matters
• Compiles basic information and makes recommendations on special studies of a limited scope
• Researches and drafts ordinances for review with supervisor
• Reviews basic re-zoning, variances, conditional use permits, design review, and other planning related applications; assists with preparing legal notices to public hearings; assists with preparing reports pertaining to advisability and permissibility of the requests; confers with property owners and petitioners regarding effects and implications of zoning and development actions
• Reviews basic building plans and other development related applications for conformance with appropriate regulations and conditions of approval
• Assists the public at the front counter and on the phone, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, development standards, and approved development proposals
• Enters and updates information in permit software database

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. A typical combination includes:

Education and/or Experience:

Enrolled in a college or university and completion of two (2) years of college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, architecture, or a related field. Completion of a bachelor's degree or experience as a planning related student intern is desirable.

Licenses and/or Certificates: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Special Requirements: Satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical examination and administrative screening.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of urban planning and development
• Recent developments, current literature, sources of information, and research techniques related to the field of urban planning

Skill to:

• Operate various types of standard office equipment including a personal computer and related software
• Operate a motor vehicle safely

Ability to:

• Read and interpret technical planning materials, including site plans, floor plans, codes, and regulations
• Learn to apply policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning and building functions
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, City management, developers, contractors, consultants, vendors, public officials, private representatives, and the general public
• Make sound decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines
• Prepare and maintain clear and precise written documents such as reports, records, forms, and correspondence
• Collect and analyze data, verify the accuracy of information, and draw logical conclusions
• Work on several tasks concurrently, accommodate interruptions, and complete projects within specific deadlines

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The position requires constant sitting and occasional walking and standing; the employee hears and talks with staff, vendors, and the general public in person and by telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee uses hands to operate, finger, handle or touch office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee bends, stoops, or squats to access, place and retrieve files, supplies and records, and reaches, lifts, and move records and documents weighing up to 20 pounds.

Mental Demands:

Employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; meet intensive and changing deadlines and interact with City staff, developers, architects, vendors, contractors, and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee typically works in office conditions where the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet, at or below 85 decibels. The employee may occasionally work outdoors when assisting with site inspections where construction and traffic noise can be above 85 decibels.

The City of Tustin offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit program that includes:

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee to use toward the purchase of individual or family health coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, additional life insurance, deferred compensation, and other optional benefits. Currently, the flexible benefit amount for Employee + 2 is $1685 per month.

The City contracts through CalPERS medical program (PEMHCA) which offers multiple PPO and HMO options for health insurance providers. Employees also have the choice of Delta Dental PPO or HMO plans.

RETIREMENT
Employees will be enrolled in a defined benefit (pension) plan with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS determines the retirement plan in which a new employee will be enrolled based on the individual's membership status with CalPERS or a reciprocal retirement system on the individual's first day of employment with the City.

Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 60 plan, with an employee contribution of 10% (pre-tax). New CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, with an employee contribution of 6.25% (pre-tax). The City does not participate in Social Security, though participation Medicare is mandatory (1.45% employee contribution).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program and the City contracts with Nationwide Retirement Services.

GENERAL LEAVE
General Leave may be used for vacation and/or illness. Annual accrual amounts increase from 160 to 248 with years of service.

HOLIDAYS
The City has 13 paid holidays per calendar year.

LIFE INSURANCE
Full-Time employees receive a $100,000 life insurance policy.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE
The 9/80 alternative work schedule is available for most full-time positions.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the City of Tustin with ten (10) years of full-time service and continue enrollment in the City's health plan are eligible for reimbursement of $250 per month toward retiree health insurance costs. Employees first hired into a benefitted position with the City of Tustin prior to July 1, 2011 are eligible for this benefit after five (5) years of service.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
After passing the probationary period, employees may request reimbursement up to a maximum of $4000 per calendar year for tuition and related expenses when attending a community college or four year university.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of legal and counseling services.

MEDICARE
All newly hired employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage. The employee contribution to Medicare is 1.45%.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

SPECIALITY PAY
The City has specialty pay for designated positions. Examples of specialty pay include Bilingual Pay, Water Certificate Pay, Stand-by Pay, Call-Back Pay, and Shift Differential.