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Job Description
Description
The Planning and Development Services (PDS) Department provides the City Council and community with creative guidance and effective implementation of land use development, planning, transportation, housing and environmental policies, plans and programs in order to maintain and enhance the City's safety, vitality, and attractiveness.
The Current Planning Team is seeking a Planning Technician to fill a vital customer service role at the City’s Development Center. The Development Center is a one stop shop for development review services that houses representatives from multiple City departments. The City of Palo Alto is a dynamic community with a strong demand for a superior level of customer service. The City has a steady flow of development applications that results in a need for qualified and enthusiastic people to serve the community. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to foster effective, cooperative working relationships with City staff, property owners, the development community, and citizens at large are essential.
This position, under the guidance of a Principal Planner, may perform a multitude of planning functions within the department including but not limited to, building permit plan review, project management of planning entitlement applications, attending in-person and virtual counter meetings with the public to explain appropriate code, ordinance, or regulatory statutes, responding to email and voicemail inquiries, processing intake appointments for new entitlements, assisting with the Construction and Demolition Debris program, and general property research. The entitlement applications typically include Architectural Review applications for signs, minor façade and site improvements, landscaping, and Temporary Use Permits. A successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, excel at providing excellent customer service, and work well in a team-oriented environment.
The ideal candidate(s) will possess:- College-level course work in the theory, principles, and practice of Urban Planning.
- Professional experience with zoning and land use planning as well as an understanding of how to read architectural drawings.
- The desire to serve the public and provide a superior level of customer service.
- Prior customer service and public agency experience.
- Strategic thinking and strong oral communication skills.
- The ability to learn and use software programs such as: Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, Accela, DigEplan, database management programs and other comparable programs.
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Reviews plans of new single-family homes and remodels for zoning compliance.
- Explains ordinances and procedures to builders, contractors, developers, and the general public in person, in virtual meetings, over email, and on the telephone.
- Assists in the processing of planning and building permit applications by reviewing for completeness and inclusion of required information.
- Processes Temporary Use Permits and Over the Counter Architectural Review applications.
- May compile and prepare information for staff reports to the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), Architectural Review Board (ARB), and City Council.
- Responds to telephone and email inquiries.
- Establishes and maintains files and records for development proposals and enters application data onto the department’s database.
- May perform site visits and final inspections to make field observations of specific parcels and records data relevant to analysis of specific development or construction proposals.
- Processes revenue transactions by e-check and credit card.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :- Skill in eliciting and organizing information, analyzing information, and providing appropriate responses.
- Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively explain City ordinances, regulations, and procedures; learn new subject areas and effectively perform a wide variety of assignments simultaneously; adapt to a changeable and fast paced working environment; review documents for accuracy and completeness.
- Ability to use computers and computer software efficiently and with minimal instruction.
- Knowledge of general office procedures, and technical record-keeping systems.
- Ability to communicate with others in a cordial and diplomatic manner in stressful situations, and to assimilate and understand information in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
- Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
The full position description can be found HERE
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Two years of college coursework; OR
- Two years of increasingly responsible office experience. Experience in an environment dealing with planning, zoning, land subdivision, or construction concepts is desirable but not required.
All applicants are required to have a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
Compensation (SEIU) : Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.
Benefits: For information on the City of Palo Alto's generous employee benefits, click HERE
*More than one position may be filled from this posting.*
If you encounter problems applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 6/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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