TITLE: PLANNING TECHNICIAN 

SUMMARY: 

This position requires a technical understanding of community planning policies as well  as professional and organizational skills involved in the processing of both Act 247  Subdivision applications and Land Disturbance permits submitted to the Planning  Division of the Building and Planning Department. 

Responsibilities include administratively reviewing and tracking applications, permits,  and plans for completeness and compliance with Township requirements and involves  progressive familiarity with the Township code. Duties include dissemination of public  

information and facilitating reviews with outside agencies. This position includes the  responsibility for making administrative land use decisions in accordance with  subdivision and land development regulations. The work requires that the employee have  good knowledge, skill and ability in land use planning and data management. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 

Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Building and Planning. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Processes, and tracks subdivision plans and/or land disturbance permit applications for  completeness and compliance with Township codes. Assists other staff members with  land development and final plan reviews.  
• Displays understanding of Act 247 Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and basic  planning principles concerning land use law, theory and civil design. 
• Tracks financial guarantees/escrows associated with land development, subdivision and  permit applications. Processes escrow releases and deposits, maintains database records  for current escrow accounts. 
• Coordinates distribution of Subdivision and Land Development application information  to all review bodies and other interested parties. 
• Prepares and distributes letters for subdivision and land development approvals. 
• Coordinates review and approval process with outside agencies such as the County Board  of Assessment and County Planning Commission. 
• Coordinates storm water requirements related to compliance with the Municipal Separate  Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit process.
• Processes final plans for subdivision and land development applications including  coordinating the distribution of lighting plans to the Township’s lighting consultant.  
• Responds to inquiries about the products and assists customers in purchasing advisory  board program items such as rain barrels and compost bins. 
• Prepares agendas and minutes for various Commission and Committee meetings.  
• Maintains department files for all subdivision and land development applications, maps,  permits, and code amendments. Assigns street addresses to new lots and manages  address change requests. 
• Assists in the preparation of Right to Know requests, general filing, including paper and  digital files, including scanning existing files and plans. 
• Assists in the preparation of graphics for public meetings and presentations. Computes  areas and dimensions, compiles statistical data, completes forms and prepares reports as  necessary. 
• Responds to email, phone and in-person inquiries regarding development regulations and  procedures and/or subdivision, land development and permit applications. 
• Assists with updates to the Township’s website, including posting of agendas and  meeting minutes and updates to the Planning Division’s social media accounts. 
• Attends meetings and assists with planning studies and participates on steering  committees as representative of Department, as requested. 
• Performs related work as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in urban planning or a  related field, plus two to five years of progressive experience in plan review, zoning  administration, building code issuance or permit enforcement; or an equivalent  combination of education and qualifying experience substituting on a year for year basis. 
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Knowledge of plant materials, landscape design and installation practices. Good knowledge of planning, design and land use principles and practices. Considerable ability to handle diverse details and perform administrative procedures.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co workers, developers, property owners, professionals and the general public. 
• Good ability in oral and written communications. 
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access and Outlook software for  word processing, spreadsheet, database and electronic mail functions. Experience with  Photoshop, Illustrator and PowerPoint for the preparation of Planning Commission  graphics preferred. 
• Familiarity with GIS and/or other computer mapping programs. 
• Good ability to read, interpret, draft, and revise maps and plans. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to sit for a minimum of 3 up to 5 hours, stand for a minimum of 1 up to 3 hours  and walk or drive for a minimum of 1 up to 2 hours per workday. 
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, reach above shoulder level, crouch and/or push or pull for  up to 35% of the workday and lift up to 68% of the workday for general office  procedures. 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds of equipment continuously, and up to 34 pounds  of equipment up to 35% of the workday. 
• Ability to use hands for simple and firm grasping, fine manipulation and repetitive  movements for general office procedures including typing, writing and drafting.  
• Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions where environmental conditions  may be challenging. 
• Ability to drive an automobile.