Planning Technician

Description

Are you a motivated and proactive professional ready to explore the field of urban planning? Do you have a strong attention to detail, commitment to public service, and a passion for problem solving? The City of Irvine is seeking a positive, solutions-oriented individual to join our Planning Division as a Planning Technician. This is a great opportunity to start or grow your career while contributing to the dynamic development of our community. The Planning Technician provides daily technical and professional support to the Planning Division team, primarily assigned to the public counter, so the ability to serve customers in person and on the phone is an integral component of the job.
The Planning Technician will have the opportunity to cross-train with our planners to advance their knowledge of the planning field while exposing the staff member to a wide variety of current planning projects as well as administrative processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Your Impact

• Provide staff support at the Planning public counter.
• Interpret and explain codes and statute requirements to diverse audience including contractors, architects, property owners, and the general public.
• Respond to routine inquiries regarding the Zoning Ordinance and Municipal Code guiding individuals through essential regulations.
• Examine routine architectural and construction plans to determine compliance with relevant zoning regulations, planning standards, and regulatory requirements and advise customers on how to comply with requirements.
• Manage and maintain the electronic plan submittal portal and ensure a smooth digital process for applicants.
• Review and approve applications for addresses, temporary banners, special event permits, and over-the-counter requests.
• Process and prepare letters such as research letters, use determinations, and zoning confirmation letters.
• Find more information on the Planning Technician job description.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Urban planning, Geography, Architecture, Economics, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field.
• Some planning or related experience, including internships or up to one year of professional experience preferred, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• May require a valid California driver license.

Best Fit - Desirable Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills in assisting the public either at the counter or on the phone.
• Ability to learn quickly and perform multiple tasks with short deadlines.
• Some planning experience highly desired.

Supplemental Information

Your Team

The Mission of the Employees of the City of Irvine is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. We are one team that exists to serve our community in the continual pursuit of a City that offers an exceptional quality of life. The City of Irvine’s five values of Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity reflect the interests and needs of the community, and the level of service they expect and desire. We are One Irvine through embrace of a team-oriented approach by living our values every day.

The Community Development Department plans, implements, and enforces construction development standards and performance criteria that facilitate the creation and maintenance of a built environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. The department consists of two primary divisions —Planning Services and Building & Safety —with support functions for each provided through the Community Development Assistance Center.

The Community Development Assistance Center (CDAC) acts as a one-stop shop for businesses, developers, and anyone interested in development projects in Irvine. They provide information and resources to help people make informed decisions about building, expanding, or altering structures in the City. The CDAC also facilitates the submittal and processing of planning and permit applications, as well as the processing and issuance of business licenses.

Planning Services oversees current and long-range development planning for the City. The division develops, maintains, and implements the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance policies and standards, including the adopted Traffic Study Guidelines and other planning documents. The division is responsible for reviewing and processing all development applications and permits, reviewing and analyzing all transportation-related issues for development projects, assisting residents, businesses and developers on all land use and transportation-related planning and zoning inquiries, and coordinating regional and interagency planning efforts.

Building & Safety (including the Water Quality and Code Enforcement sections) ensures that development in the City of Irvine is designed, constructed, used, and maintained in accordance with the Irvine Municipal Code, California Building Codes, and federal water quality standards. The division is responsible for reviewing and approving grading and building permit applications and associated construction documents, and for inspecting the permitted construction for conformance with the approved plans. The Code Enforcement section responds to and investigates concerns from the public regarding potential code violations, including unpermitted construction, property maintenance, unpermitted signs, and more.

The Process
The selection process may include an examination and a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions within the organization's similar and/or lower classifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.



Closing Date/Time: 7/30/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Irvine

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