Planning Specialist jobs in Gulfport, MS

Planning Technician

Department: 611 - Planning

EEO Class: Technical
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Overview

The Planning Technician performs a variety of routine clerical, technical, and paraprofessional planning functions in the field and in the Planning Division office of the Urban Development Department. Work involves responsibility for applying basic planning skills and knowledge to the review of various requests involving the Comprehensive Master Plan, implementing tools of the Plan, ordinances and other regulations.

The Planning Technician will also assist other planners in undergirding the work of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals and the Gulfport City Planning Commission. Work also involves gathering, compiling and preparing studies, reports, graphic displays and related information for decision making purposes. The Planning Division Administrator and other planners are available for consultation and they shall review all work prior to finalization. Work is performed under the supervision of a professional planner. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and through results obtained.

Essential Job Functions

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, May include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Collects and organizes data on social, economic, physical and other planning-related area for inclusion in reports and presentations.

• Assists in the preparation of reports, plans and proposals.

• Prepare and makes graphs, tables and other illustrative material, designs covers and pages of reports.

• Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and interested persons over the phone and in person.

• Assists the public in locating useful information to comply with municipal requirements and to follow required procedures.

• Provides information to other staff members, municipal departments, state and federal agencies and the public on Census data, planning, zoning, subdivision, and tree and sign matters.

• Conducts field inspections.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must posses required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of community planning.

• Basic knowledge of the techniques, purposes and administration of municipal planning.

• Good knowledge of zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulations.

• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret facts and present them in a clearly written, oral or graphic form.

• Ability to develop data on elementary planning problems from public records and field inspections.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with city officials, co-workers and other employees, architects, developers and contractors, other agencies and the general public.

• Ability to complete research projects or assignments.

• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

• Possess strong customer service skills.

• Thorough knowledge of computer software programs, such as word, excel, GIS, etc.

• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.

• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees, supervisor and other departments.

Education and Experience

An Associate’s degree in urban planning, social science or related field, with two (2) year of experience in planning or planning related issues, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certificates

Must possess a valid Mississippi driver’s license.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical requirements include occasional lifting/carrying of 10 pounds; visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Subject to sitting, standing, reaching, walking, twisting and kneeling to perform the essential functions. Working conditions are both indoors and outdoors.