Planning Technician

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Morehead City is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented PLANNING TECHNICIAN to join our team. This is a position which plays a vital role to support the Planning and Development Department in the areas of customer service, planning, and permitting. The Planning Technician also serves as the Secretary to the Morehead City Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. The ideal candidate is highly organized, can multitask across various responsibilities, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

This role operates under the limited supervision of the Planner and also serves as a backup to the Permit Technician.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Answering incoming calls and directing them to appropriate staff; providing routine information to callers; referring complex inquiries to appropriate personnel or agencies.
• Greeting and assisting visitors and the public; making appointments and scheduling predevelopment meetings.
• Assisting the Permit Technician with administrative duties and serving as a backup to the Permit Technician.
• Performing routine office tasks including data entry and managing the department’s online and paper file systems; scanning, organizing, and maintaining files.
• Reviewing plans and applications to ensure compliance with zoning, setbacks, and related development requirements.
• Managing the department’s online permitting software and developing forms for online permit submittal.
• Responding to and fulfilling public records requests.
• Responding to inquiries regarding flood zones and the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
• Serving as the Local Permit Officer for the CAMA program.
• Reviewing correspondence and documents for accuracy prior to mailing or publication, including plans and agendas.
• Receiving, processing, and distributing building permit and CAMA applications.
• Checking and reviewing data for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to department procedures and standards.
• Preparing and maintaining departmental records, logs, forms, and files.
• Distributing timesheets and processing completed timesheets for payroll.
• Serving as secretary to the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; preparing and distributing agendas, attending meetings, taking and transcribing minutes, maintaining minute books, and recording orders with the Register of Deeds.
• Preparing and maintaining departmental reports, including narratives and data analyses; researching and compiling information on planning-related topics.
• Reviewing plans and applying ordinance and code provisions to determine compliance and field applicability.
• Managing and updating routine departmental content on the City’s website including agendas, calendars, fees, and notices.
• Drafting and placing legal advertisements and public notices.
• Working outside of normal hours as required during on-call or emergency situations.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing office functions independently as needed.
• Receiving inspection requests and scheduling inspections and re-inspections.
• Determining applicable permit fees and processing payments; processing check requests.
• Ordering office supplies and maintaining inventory.
• Maintaining permit-related GIS layers; designing and preparing visual maps and graphics using GIS software and analyzing spatial data.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Associate's Degree with coursework in Planning, Business, Office Administration, or a related field and at least three to five years of relevant experience is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A thorough knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and administrative techniques.
• The ability to apply business English, spelling, grammar, and basic arithmetic in a professional setting.
• An understanding of department programs, policies, and planning procedures.
• Experienc…