PLANNING ASSISTANT

Job Title

Under general supervision, performs responsible administrative, secretarial, and clerical assistance to ensure effective and efficient department operations and professional work in the research and understanding of plans and programs for community growth and development. Work involves providing professional, courteous customer service at all times; assisting individuals regarding land development for residential or commercial use; maintaining and organizing records, scheduling training, and maintaining listing of training classes for assigned committees; handling the responsibility for all aspects of invoice payment and employee expense reimbursement applications, for Planning Department; researching and performing information retrieval when data is requested thru Freedom Of Information applications; reviewing and issuing Zoning Verification letters; Reports to the Director of Planning.

Essential Job Functions

• Answers the telephone; provides accurate information to callers and/or forwards calls to appropriate personnel; takes messages as needed.
• Assists the public with questions or information required from the zoning ordinance with regard to land development and regarding addressing.
• Prepares and issues Zoning Verification letters.
• Greets and assists Planning Department office visitors.
• Prepares and/or processes a variety of documentation to enforce outdoor café permitting for the Town. Coordinates with the Engineering Department for permit approval within the right-of-way.
• Prepares Annexation ordinances; distributes annexation paperwork to various departments and agencies once approved; scans.
• Maintains purchase orders, invoices, expense sheets, and reimbursement requests processed for Planning Department; scans.
• Maintains lists for citizen committee members with term limits and schedule for municipal training classes.
• Prepares and/or processes a variety of documentation such as monthly reports for Council, the BCDCOG, DREAM, or other agencies as requested.
• Researches and performs information retrieval when data is requested by various agencies or attorney practices.
• Refers to zoning ordinance, zoning map, annexation files, historic district files, policy and procedure manuals, codes / laws / regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.
• Performs general administrative/office duties as required, including typing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying, scanning, filing documents, answering the telephone, and establishing, organizing, and maintaining filing systems, etc.
• Operates a variety of office equipment and machinery such as postage machine, copy machine, computer, printer, telephone, etc.
• Uses a variety of tools such as calculator, label maker, scissors, paper cutter, stapler, standard office tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as paper, stationary, writing instruments, file folders, steno books, toner / ink, general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader, Citizenserve, Bluebeam, Nearmap, ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, etc.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as Planner I, Planner II, Zoning Administrator, Director of Planning, board members, design professionals, sign company representatives, contractors, coworkers, and the general public.
• Provides information for the maintenance of the Planning Department section of the website.
• Creates and revises applications as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Minimum Education and Experience

Requires an Associate's degree in Office Management/Secretarial Science or Planning supplemented by one to two years of related experience with public contact or one to two years of local government planning experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must have a valid South Carolina driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the methods, policies, and procedures of the Planning Department as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Planning Assistant.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices and methodologies of urban and community planning.
• Knowledge and skills required in determining growth and development needs of the Town.
• Knowledge of specific Town/county ordinances as they apply to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of planning and development and land use terminology.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, spelling and basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and technology.
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of computers for data and word processing.
• Knowledge of how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to apply knowledge of economics, land development, civil engineering, construction, architecture, zoning, finance and sociology in the planning process.
• Ability to assimilate both technical and theoretical concepts from many diverse disciplines and apply the knowledge in creative and intuitive ways to solve unique problems.
• Ability to coordinate division activities with other Town and county departments, property/business owners, residents and community leaders in order to accomplish goals and complete projects.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively collect, tabulate and analyze relevant data and apply it to the planning process.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions related to balancing multiple projects within the constraints of time available, personnel capabilities, financial resources, and political considerations.
• Ability to react professionally at all times, dealing with sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to offer assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required.
• Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain positive customer-focused relationships with co-workers, supervisors, agencies, the general public, and all other internal and external customers.

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a computer, calculator, telephone, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.

Additional Information:

Benefits Offered Health insurance Dental insurance Life insurance SC Retirement System 401k deferred compensation 457b deferred compensation Vacation Leave Sick Leave Holiday Leave (12 holidays) Flexible Spending Accounts Other Voluntary Insurance The Town of Summerville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and hire employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), age, political affiliation or disability, except when physical condition is a bona fide occupational qualification, and any other status protected by federal or state law.

Application Special Instruction Please upload your resume and a list of references.