Planning Technician

The City of Kent is looking for an enthusiastic individual to perform critical technical and administrative support functions within our Economic and Community Development Department! Do you pride yourself on providing excellent service to both internal and external customers? The ideal candidate will have two (2) years of college level course work or training in a related field, along with two (2) years of increasingly responsible administrative and/or planning technician experience. At least one year of administrative support work experience is required. If you are able to perform varied administrative and technical planning support duties in a fast-paced work environment, the Planning Technician may be an ideal position for you!

This is a regular, full-time position that is benefited and represented by AFSCME. An unranked eligibility list may be established at the conclusion of the selection process that would be in effect for up to 12 months.

Applications will be accepted through April 22nd. This selection process will consist of a written examination and panel interview. Dates for these steps in the process have not yet been established.

SALARY:
$6,097.00-7,431.00/month, depending on qualifications

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link:

Additional information may also be found in the AFSCME contract, which you can access at

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Administrative Assistant III or designee, performs a variety of technical planning activities in support of department initiatives. Planning technicians provide support and assistance to all division Managers and staff within the Economic & Community Development Department.

Work is characterized by technical and specialized administrative support of various divisions within the department. The incumbent will perform a variety of administrative and organizational duties that are routine and limited in scope including, but not limited to, assisting in initial development plan reviews; processing payroll; maintaining complex filing systems; corresponding and communicating with internal and external customers; compiling information provided by the planners, building reviewers, data analysts and engineers to process applications; creating decision documents for public notice in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and city land use permit process requirements; compiling agenda packets, minutes, and reports; scheduling meetings; and assisting with special projects as assigned. While actual duties of each incumbent in this classification will vary from time to time, all Administrative Assistants may be assigned to perform work in any of the divisions within the department.

Work is performed under general supervision. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists the incumbent with unusual situations, which do not have clear objectives or precedents. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide technical and specialized administrative support to the Economic & Community Development Department Staff and Managers, provide Managers and assigned division of a range of clerical and administrative support, organize and coordinate the daily operations as directed.

Provide frontline customer service; assist callers with scheduling permit inspections, either manually in the permit tracking appointment system or online through the automated inspection voice response (IVR) system; generate maps for public notices and update various websites.

Accept, review, and process land development applications. in accordance with relevant federal and local statutes and laws.

Enter and retrieve information from the permit tracking system; set up and maintain files, process paperwork associated with ;land use and development applications as assigned; route documents to appropriate divisions or outside agencies; make sure plan review is complete and fees are accurate based on input from review staff, provide status reports on all department projects as directed, scan and index completed projects and files into the City’s Document Imaging System per the City’s retention schedule.

Assist in data collection, compilation and analysis for use in performance management as well as planning and economic development projects.

Process, track, and release performance surety devices and bonds.

Schedule preconstruction meetings, making sure all administrative items are complete; process punch lists and cover letters; assist with development project close out and finalization.

Coordinate receipt of and track Bills of Sale for development projects and prepare packages for City Council approval.

Create and prepare mailing lists in accordance with the requirements of the \land use application types; create and issue public notices.

Provide documents requested and assist with processing of the Department’s Public Records Requests.

Prepare, proofread and edit correspondence, reports, minutes, public notices, resolutions and other materials; assist with the development and/or revision of all the divisions policies, procedures, performance measures and other supporting documents independently, from rough drafts or verbal instructions.

Prepare and distribute meeting notices, agenda packets and other support documents; set up for committee meetings; attend meetings and prepare minutes as assigned.

Track and route permit applications, plans, and associated materials to staff; maintain the plans, files and spreadsheets.

Coordinate recording of legal documents with the county recorder’s office and calculate recording fees.

Distribute information to the public, developers, and contractors regarding the City’s permit process and submittal requirements for construction and development; follow up with applicants for missing material, signatures, and other non-technical information.

Process purchase orders, procurement cards, monthly budget reports and maintenance of related files or other duties as assigned.

Prepare, process, and enter Economic & Community Development’s payroll in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner; aid personnel with questions related to payroll; process personnel related forms and documents; and run reports as requested.

Update, order, track and maintain customer service materials, office forms, procedures, division supplies, business cards, and other supplies as requested.

Cross-train with and act as back-up for the Development Permit Techs and department administrative support staff.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

SKILLED IN:

ABILITY TO:

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: High school diploma, or equivalent, supplemented by two (2) years of college level course work or training in public or business administration, office management, urban or regional planning, or a related field; Associate degree preferred; and

Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible administrative and/or planning tech experience including at least one (1) year of administrative support.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED

Typical office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, word processing and spreadsheet software, printer, telephone, fax and copy machines, calculator, projector, tape recorder, and projector.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use hands to handle documents or objects, and operate office equipment; talking and hearing, with or without accommodation are also necessary. The incumbent frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is often required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; sit for extended periods of time; The incumbent may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an indoor office environment, subject to multiple interruptions by employees, telephone calls, and interoffice activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to individuals who are irate, angry, or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.