Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under direct supervision of the Community Planning Manager, the Planning Aide will provide complex technical assistance to the professional planning staff, will provide routine clerical support to the Division, and will provide procedural and factual information to the general public. The position also receives general supervision from professional planning staff. The position is assigned to the miscellaneous bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The position requires a detail-oriented person with strong customer service skills who can deal effectively with the public, officials, planning staff, and other city departments.

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

• Answer questions and provide information to the public, including acting as a receptionist and answering the telephone.
• Assist in responding to requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public; providing basic property information and interpreting the zoning ordinance
• Evaluate and approve home occupation permits and business occupancies for business license issuance
• Receive and process applications for a full range of Minor Administrative Approvals – sign permits, temporary uses of land, seasonal sales permits, and the like
• Conduct and compile property research, including zoning history, size, dimensions, development patterns, land use and property ownership
• Conduct field surveys
• Compile information and data for statistical and financial reports, including budget monitoring
• Prepare written reports and correspondence, maintain a variety of records and files, and oversee the maintenance and updating of various city databases
• Prepare public notices and compile mailing list information consistent with the standards of state law and the Turlock Municipal Code
• Process records, data, development applications, or material as required
• Assist professional planning staff in permit review, research and report compilation for a variety of development applications
• Assemble Planning Commission agendas, public notices
• Act as recording secretary at Planning Commission meetings, take notes, and prepare minutes
• Receive, sort and distribute incoming and outgoing correspondence
• Schedule appointments and various meetings
• Update and maintain statistical records, including but not limited to: land use trends, population trends, building permits, assessor’s map amendments, and development application activity
• Perform a variety of routine clerical work including, filing, billing, copying, and checking and recording information on various records
• Maintain inventory records, process purchasing requisitions, maintain purchase records, resolve errors in orders and invoices
• Order office supplies; submit expense claims
• Utilize a personal computer and other office equipment
• May maintain petty cash fund, accept payment of fees, and maintain and process cash records
• Perform related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Of:

• The rudimentary principles of public administration; record keeping and filing practices; and government practices and requirements
• Land use planning and zoning concepts
• Word processing and spreadsheet applications
• English language usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation

Ability To:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Operate a computer and other office equipment and machinery
• Utilize various computer software programs
• Perform routine clerical work
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Gather, prepare and maintain data pertaining to development projects and Division functions
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Equivalent to completion of sixty (60) semester units of college coursework in land use planning, environmental studies, land use planning law, public administration, or social sciences is desirable.

Experience:

One year of experience in an administrative, technical, or related position, preferably in local government, that involved heavy public contact and which provided the necessary skills and experience to perform the responsibilities of the position.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Notary Public License

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a California Driver’s License at time of appointment and the ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructions, read fine print and view computer screen; hear well enough to converse on the telephone and in person; use of hands and fingers for use of computer keyboard, filing, writing, and answering telephones.