Planning Technician

Salary : $61,041.67 - $81,850.36 Annually

Location : Loma Linda, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-00003

Department : Community Development

Division : Planning

Opening Date : 01 / 28 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 12 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Planning Technician executes a range of land use, zoning, clerical, and administrative responsibilities for the City. By applying established procedures, they ensure compliance with local regulations and contribute to the efficiency of planning operations. The position functions as part of the Planning Division of the Community Development Department.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Planning Technician is an entry level position in the professional Planner series, designed to provide on-the-job training for aspiring municipal planners. This role involves assignments that are generally limited in scope and follow procedural frameworks set by higher-level positions. Employees may rotate through different assignments to gain experience across various aspects of municipal planning. As they gain experience, they may handle more advanced projects with increasing independence. In contrast to the Associate Planner, the Planning Technician works under close supervision and provides direct support to one or more professional Planners.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Non-supervisory class; receives direction from the Associate Planner and supervision from the Community Development Director.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Collect, analyze, and report on data related to land use, zoning, environmental impacts, demographics, and planning activities.
• Conduct field surveys or data collection to support environmental and planning studies.
• Assist in preparing planning reports, maps, charts, and visual materials to support presentations, proposals, or decision-making processes.
• Provide technical support during public meetings, including setting up presentations and materials, and assisting with any additional needs that may arise.
• Support the development of visual aids to communicate zoning and planning concepts.
• Serve as the primary public counter operator for the Planning division, responding to inquiries from residents, developers, and stakeholders about planning procedures, zoning regulations, land use policies, and other general inquiries.
• Respond to inquiries via phone and email, offering guidance on permits, development applications, zoning codes, building requirements, online permitting software, and other general City-related questions.
• Review and verify development applications for completeness and accuracy, ensuring compliance with general plan use, zoning codes, and planning policies.
• Assist with processing permits for a range of planning activities, including but not limited to plan reviews, land use permits, home occupation permits, special events, and ministerial applications.
• Ensure that plans comply with applicable codes, zoning regulations, and development requirements for permit approval.
• Maintain automated tracking system, record keeping, project files, permits, maps, other materials and records.
• Prepares written reports and correspondence, maintains a variety of records and files, and assists in maintaining and updating the various permitting and informational databases and platforms and coordinate with other departments when necessary.
• Attend meetings, events, and trainings outside of regular business hours as needed to support departmental activities and professional development.
• Respond to public records requests received from the office of the City Clerk.
• Provide administrative and clerical support to multiple departments, including backup assistance at the front counter for those departments as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of :

Skill and Ability to :

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Experience, Education, and Training Guidelines

Option One (1)

Experience :

Three (3) years of full-time equivalent experience in a Planning or Building department.

Education :

High school graduation or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.

Option Two (2)

Experience :

Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in a Planning or Building department.

Education :

Ninety (90) quarter units or sixty (60) semester units in a degree program in Urban, City, Regional Planning or Studies Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geographic Information Systems or closely related field.

Option Three (3)

Experience :

None required.

Education :

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Urban, City, Regional Planning or Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geographic Information Systems or closely related field.

For Both Options

Licenses and Certifications :

A valid California Class C driver's license, acceptable driving record, and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.

Special Requirements :

Availability to work outside of normal business hours and extended workdays for Planning Commission and various meetings as required.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential functions and duties require the following physical abilities and work environment

Physical Characteristics

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 of the classification.

Physical Demands

Ability to sit for extended periods of time, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; and stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl. The employee is required to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with the public and dissatisfied individuals.

Work Environment

The employee primarily works in an office setting where the noise level is frequently quiet or

moderately quiet with limited exposure to outdoor temperatures. Occasional driving may be required to visit City facilities, attend professional meetings, and trainings. This position has regular contact with other staff and the public.

Teamsters (Admin)

Paydays : Biweekly on Thursdays

Floating Holiday : One (1) per year.

Paid Leave :

Years of Continuous Service / Yearly Hours Accrued

1 Month - 5 Years : Annual accrual 128

6 -10 Years : Annual accrual 168

11 Years : Annual accrual 176

12 Years : Annual accural 184

13 Years : Annual accrual 192

14 Years : Annual accrual 200

15 Years : Annual accrual 208

Sick Leave : Four (4) hours for each full calendar month of continuous service.

Holidays : Eleven (11) paid holidays.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : The EAP offers confidential counseling and referral services to support well-being and resilience in work and life to City employees and members of their household.

Life Insurance : The City provides 100% of premiums for employee term life and AD&D

coverage equal to one times the member's annual salary, up to a maximum of $150,000.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance : Effective January 1, 2025, the City provides $2,100.00 monthly allotment for medical, dental, and vision insurance. The remainder of unexpended money can be placed in deferred compensation or taken as cash on the employee's paycheck.

Medical - CalPERS

Dental - Choice of Delta Dental HMO or PPO

Vision - VSP

Retirement Plan :

California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Classic Member 2% @ 55

PEPRA 2% @ 62

Social Security : Yes

Medicare : Yes

Disability Insurance : City paid Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) through Lincoln Financial.

Deferred Compensation 457(b) Plan : All employees in this unit are eligible to contribute to this voluntary plan.

Tuition Reimbursement : $5,000 per fiscal year.

The Planning Technician minimum qualifications provides three avenues for qualifying through education and / or experience. Under which option makes you eligible for the position?

I understand that if I select option two (2) or option three (3), I must attach proof of my education. Not including this documentation will render my application incomplete, making me ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment.The only acceptable forms of proof are transcripts and diplomas.

Provide a detailed explanation of how you meet the criteria for the option you selected above. If you are referencing experience, describe your relevant experience and where it was gained. If you are referring to your education, please explain how your degree applies to the requirements. Please note that degrees in Business Administration, Public Administration, Anthropology, or Political Science do not fulfill the criteria for Option three (3).

Required Question

Salary : $61,042 - $81,850