CLASS SPECIFICATION
PLANNING TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is technical work in a planning specialization such as community development,
economic development, environmental planning, land use or transportation planning.
Contacts are with employees of other governmental agencies and involve exchanging
information and clarifying discrepancies in data. Employees in this class provide
little or no direct public service or assistance.
An employee in this class performs data collection and computer processing of
geographic, topographic, demographic, and related statistical data in updating
a variety of databases used as a reference by County agencies for the delivery
of services. The work involves the production of interrelated maps, charts,
reports, tables, and other graphics such as street directories, voter registration
lists, parking and usage characteristics through the technical manipulation
of computer database and graphics application packages, including Geographic
Information Systems (GIS). The supervisor establishes work priorities and deadlines,
and the employee independently plans and carries out the steps in the assignment
handling most problems that arise based on experience or previous training.
The work is reviewed for technical soundness and appropriateness. The employee
has a variety of technical guidelines available including computer hardware
and software manuals but must exercise judgment in adapting and modifying guidelines
to incorporate new data elements, meet new user requirements, or to reconcile
conflicting requirements. The complexity of the work is demonstrated by the
variety of technical processes used in manipulating large, interrelated databases
and the extensive number of functions and commands associated with GIS. The
decision of how to appropriately update a record or enter a change to the database
requires extensive analysis of the interrelationships of multiple data elements.
The work involves dealing with a variety of standard technical problems in accordance
with established rules, instructions, and criteria. The work product affects
the accuracy of other County processes, functions, and delivery of services.
The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a normal office environment but
requires prolonged periods of looking at and operating video display terminals
and/or computer workstations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Researches, processes, enters, and manipulates data in GIS and other database
systems and maintains integrity and accuracy of systems.
Updates the Geographic Base File/DIME (GBF/DIME) databases, directories, files,
and records, including street directories, location addresses, election district
precincts, police, fire and rescue reporting areas, school districts, zoning,
tax base, resident information, etc., used by County agencies in carrying out
their basic functions and delivering services.
Maintains and generates topologically accurate, computer generated maps with
multiple data elements which parallel the GBF/DIME updates including the spatial
placement of nodes (points identifying a location) within census tracts, placing
new nodes in the computer in digital format and the identification of all pertinent
data within the census tracts and blocks.
Collects information and statistical data, and digitizes maps for use in GIS
computer applications.
Creates charts/graphics using different computer systems assuring the consistency
and uniformity of all charts and graphs produced for a variety of documents
and reports.
Collects data for traffic orders of traffic/parking control devices and arranges
for installation and removal of same.
Collects information and statistical data for housing, population, transportation
and other studies; prepares maps for inclusion in planning reports and various
presentations.
Researches/documents/corrects errors identified on pupil addresses file; provides
list of students residing outside of the County for verification of tuition
payments.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Considerable (3 years) experience performing technical support
work for a planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position.
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion
recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the practices and procedures used in the technical processing of
information in a planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the
position.
Knowledge of computer database applications including GIS.
Ability to use personal computers and/or workstations to access, enter, and
maintain data and generate maps, charts, graphs, tables, and other graphical
representations of data.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to perform highly detailed, intricate work.
Ability to deal tactfully, effectively and equitably with people.
Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside
the office.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a
probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully
evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion
of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review
Class Established: July 1967
Revised: January 1969
November 1970
April 1977 August 1987
August 1995(M)
April 2010