DEFINITION

Provides general and technical information and provides customer service related to various aspects of community development activities and permits; provides varied secretarial and administrative assistance to staff and commissions; and performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents in the class of Community Development Assistant provide general, overall information and process a variety of permits. They complete various reports, compile documents, and perform various administrative and clerical functions related to the operations of their assigned department. Incumbents work within established laws, policies, and procedures and are expected to exercise positive customer relations, tact and diplomacy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

General supervision may be provided by a variety of supervisory and management positions based on the assigned department or program area. Supervisory responsibilities may entail lead supervision of other support staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Greets, provides information and answers questions to the public in person, by the telephone, and through correspondence in response to questions or requests regarding any of the various community development ordinance provisions, permits, functions, and services offered by the City. Takes, verifies, and responds to zoning ordinance complaints including providing follow through, if necessary with the City Attorney and the Public Safety Department. Assists the public in completing and filing applications and related materials for various types of development activity permits; determines and informs applicant of what process is involved with particular project; directs applicants to appropriate individuals, agencies, or other sources necessary to complete the application processing or processes application as appropriate. Completes a variety of reports related to the activities and programs of assigned department; compiles material and statistics; copies and distributes reports and documents. Prepares, processes, copies and distributes agenda packets and public notices as required by law for Planning Commission, and other commission, committee, and board meetings; attends Planning Commission meetings to record and transcribe action minutes via computer and/or shorthand or other notes; sets up meetings; processes documents and/or other meeting follow up assignments. Provides a full range of secretarial support to the department head and others; schedules appointments; composes, edits, and types correspondence from dictated or draft materials; schedules meetings and appointments; arranges travel to meetings and conferences. Coordinates and performs a variety of administrative functions related to various assigned City programs and projects; maintains records and statistics; processes payments. Prepares a variety of reports, letters, mailings; maintains a variety of municipal files and records; sets up, maintains, and updates files, databases, maps, and other records and documents; operates a variety of office equipment including personal computers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education

Sufficient experience and education to successfully perform the duties of the Community Development Assistant Normally, this can be obtained by the equivalent of three years of increasingly responsible experience providing administrative and technical support related to planning, construction, engineering, architecture, or related field which involved extensive public contact.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Knowledge of the City's policies, rules, administrative regulations and procedures and applicable state laws related to various applications for permits, clearances, and requests for community development services. Technical resource materials and information sources applicable to development-related activity. Principles and techniques of effective public relations and customer service; financial and statistical record keeping techniques. Modern office practices and procedures; techniques and methods of using standard word processor, spreadsheet, database and other office software and office equipment. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to work independently in a timely and professional manner and exercise good judgment in carrying out assigned tasks. Review complex and diverse application materials to determine if they contain necessary information. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Interpret, explain City rules, laws, and policies that affect the various applications for permits, clearances, and requests for services. Listen, speak and write clearly for the purpose of giving concise, accurate and complete information. Prepare clear, concise, and accurate agendas, correspondence, records and reports; monitor deadlines and legal requirements for compliance with laws and regulations. Compile and maintain accurate information, records, and files; take and transcribe meeting minutes. Type at a minimum rate of 50 words per minute from clear, legible copy; transcribe copy from a recording. Dictation at a rate of 90 words per minute may be required for some assignments.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. Grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination are required in using a computer keyboard. Near, far, and color vision are used in reading documents and in using the computer. Hearing and speaking are required when providing phone and face-to-face service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

License/Certificate

Possession of a Class C California driver's license by date of appointment.