Planning Technician - City of Birmingham

Planning Technician

The City of Birmingham is seeking a Planning Technician to support community planning and development activities. This position conducts research, surveys, and studies involving land use, demographics, housing, employment, and other planning matters to support planning and zoning decisions. The Planning Technician reviews plans, permit applications, and related submittals for compliance with applicable requirements. This position also provides information and technical assistance regarding zoning, permits, and planning processes while serving as a liaison to community members, contractors, businesses, and other stakeholders.

Compensation and benefits include competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is 17.85 - 27.69 USD Hourly.

Minimum qualifications are subject to change:

• Driver's license.
• Experience working with the public (e.g., explaining rules and regulations, handling customer complaints).
• Experience utilizing GIS (e.g., reading maps, researching property information).
• Experience performing clerical duties including filing, record keeping, and scheduling.

Typical job duties include:

• Processing applications for licenses and permits by reviewing drawings, maps and surveys, researching historical data, collecting fees and ensuring compliance with departmental requirements and land development ordinances.
• Communicating with various individuals (e.g., contractors, realtors, engineers, developers, general public) on the phone and in person in order to answer questions and explain ordinances relating to flood plain, zoning, signage, and subdivision.
• Performing various administrative functions including coordinating communication between parties, and preparing and compiling information and documentation in order to prepare for meetings (e.g., Board of Zoning Adjustment, Planning Commission), to record and dictate board meetings, and to notify agencies and citizens of hearings, approvals, and recommendations to ensure information is communicated appropriately.
• Assisting the Planners in the day-to-day activities relating to land development.
• Receiving and reviewing plans/drawings for compliance with the ordinances (e.g., zoning, subdivision, etc.).
• Making preliminary decisions on permit approval (e.g., fence, new home construction, floodplain, etc.) based upon information presented.
• Preparing and sending memos/letters of results from BZA and Planning Commission meetings to various departments, the City Council and applicants.

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Work is conducted mostly indoors in an office setting, with periodic field visits to external indoor or outdoor locations. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

The Person nel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at accommodation request or phone at  (select option
1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process.