Planning Technician

The City of Salida Community Development Department is seeking a Planning Technician to join our team! This is a full-time hourly position with benefits including medical, dental, vision and retirement plan. Starting pay is anticipated to be $44,122 - $57,358 annually ($21.21 – $27.58 hourly) depending on experience and qualifications.

Salida is a fast-growing small city of approximately 6,500 residents located along the Arkansas River in south central Colorado, and is the county seat of Chaffee County (population approximately 22,000). It has been described by The New York Times as “The Outdoors Life, With No Attitude.”  Salida was also recently named the best “Unsung Mountain Town” by Outside magazine. Situated at 7,000 feet at the southern edge of the Upper Arkansas River Valley, it is surrounded by fifteen 14,000+ foot peaks and ample public lands. Its historic downtown (the largest historic district in the state) is home to a thriving community of restaurants, art galleries, and retail establishments. As a popular jumping-off point for rafting “the Ark” in the summer, skiing Monarch Mountain in the winter, and a plethora of other outdoor recreation activities throughout the year, the city is a destination, but also a true community of dedicated, fun-loving locals.

The Planning Tech position will be one of the first points of contact with the public and is primarily responsible for: reviewing and processing building permits, sign permits, and vendor permits; responding to a variety of inquiries via phone, email and in person; reviewing and evaluating a variety of development proposals of low-to-moderate complexity such as subdivision exemptions, conditional uses, floodplain development review, occasional variances and minor subdivisions; assistance with website and other public facing information; assistance with code enforcement; and assisting with coordination of department organizational systems and appointment setting.

Other duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to: research and analysis of a variety of planning-related topics and data; analysis of GIS data and map creation; assistance with Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council packet preparation; occasional presentations in front of boards such as Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council; as well as various administrative tasks and other duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $44,122 - $61,770/year (hiring range up to $57,358) plus benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance plans, 401(a) and 457 retirement plan options with employer match, Personal Time Off accrual, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability benefits, and a swim benefit at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center.  Those interested in the position may find more information and apply online at www.cityofsalida.com.  

Candidates for the position of Planning Tech will possess:

·        High school diploma or GED. A Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration or related field is preferred.  Master’s degree in a related field is ideal but not required.

·        Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

View the full job description and employment application at the links below.

Application materials may be emailed to jobs@cityofsalida.com or delivered to 448 E. 1st Street, Suite 112. Applications will be accepted through 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.

The City of Salida is an Equal Opportunity Employer.