Summary

The City of Bend is accepting applications for one regular, full-time Planning Technician I or II in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. This position is hourly, non-exempt (overtime eligible) and is represented by the City of Bend Employee Association (COBEA) 

Applications received by Monday, July 7, 2025 (7/7/2025), 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time will receive preference for initial review, but the position will remain open until filled

Summary: Positions assigned to this classification perform technical and clerical tasks and provide customer service support to the Community Development Department by applying specialized knowledge related to urban planning and zoning regulations to provide information to customers; process applications and permits; review plans; conduct research and compile information; assist the public in gaining compliance and cooperation with city codes; and perform related duties as assigned. All positions in this series will provide customer assistance at the permit counter.

Distinguishing Characteristics: 

The Planning Technician I is the trainee/entry level class in the series. Incumbents receive training to perform routine supportive and technical tasks such as basic permit/application review and issuance, and clerical support tasks. The Planning Technician II is the journey level class in the series.

Planning Technician I

Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in and learns to respond to customer and public inquiries.  Assists in and learns to explain and interpret codes, policies, standards, fees and procedures; and generate and transmit requested reports.
•  Assists in and learns to review a variety of residential building plans for conformance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Assists in and learns to read a variety of plans and maps including blueprints/plans, topographic maps, plat maps, and taxation/assessment maps.  Assists in and learns to use as-built plans to determine location of public utilities and facilities such as water and sewer lines.
• Assists in and learns to research, interpret, and obtain information from various databases, plans and maps relating to land use such as easements and rights of way.
• Assists in and learns to create, update and maintain various databases, recordkeeping systems, and maps for projects.
• Assists in and learns to calculate a variety of charges and fees such as application and permit fees.
• Assists in and learns to coordinate with internal and external contacts in the facilitation of the permitting and plan review process.
• Assists in and learns to serve as point of contact for customer and public inquiries and elevated customer service issues, including customer interface with Departmental software issues.  Assists in and learns to perform research as required and provides customers with explanation/interpretation consistent with codes and policies, standards fees, and procedures.
• Assists in and learns to perform a variety of administrative support activities in support of the division such as preparation and dissemination of public notices; processing of administrative mailings; data entry, and word processing. 
• Assists in and learns to provide support for committee/commission meetings including but not limited to preparation and dissemination of agendas and minutes; managing calendar scheduling and meeting invitation; preparation and setup for virtual and in-person meetings; packet assembly; maintenance of assigned division webpages.

Knowledge of:

• Customer service principles
• Modern office principles and practices
• Mathematical principles
• Research Methods

Skill in:

• Providing customer service
• Using a computer and related software applications
• Performing basic mathematical calculations
• Resolve routine problems
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Planning Technician II

Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews a variety of residential building plans for conformance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Reads a variety of plans and maps including blueprints/plans, topographic maps, plate maps, and taxation/assessment maps.  Utilizes as-built plans to determine location of public utilities and facilities such as water and sewer lines.
• Researches, interprets, and obtains information from various databases, plans and maps relating to land use such as easements and rights of way.
• Creates, updates and maintains various databases, recordkeeping systems, and maps for projects and prepares reports.
• Calculates a variety of charges and fees such as application and permit fees.
•  Coordinates with internal and external contacts in the facilitation of the permitting and plan review process.
• Serves as point of contact for elevated customer service issues, including customer interface with Departmental software issues. Performs research as required and provides customers with explanation/interpretation consistent with codes and policies, standards fees, and procedures and generates and transmits requested reports. Refers customers to other staff or resources as appropriate.
• Performs a variety of administrative support activities in support of the division such as preparation and dissemination of public notices, processing of administrative mailings, data entry, and word processing. 
• Provides support for committee/commission meetings including but not limited to preparing agendas and minutes; managing calendar scheduling and meeting invitations; preparation and setup for virtual and in-person meetings; packet assembly; maintenance of assigned division webpages.
• May review simple Type I residential applications.

In addition to the Tech I Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

Knowledge of :

• Basic city code, policies and procedures
• Basic constructions, engineering and urban planning principles
• City geography

Skill in:

• Applying algebraic and geometric principles in performance of assigned work
• Reviewing plans and documents for compliance with applicable standards and guidelines
• Calculating permit fees
• Resolve routine and procedural problems
• Reading and interpreting maps, plot plans and building plans
• Understanding and applying code standards relevant to assigned work
• Written and oral communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.  At the City of Bend, we don't just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.