Planning/GIS Assistant w/ City of Puyallup (WA)

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/puyallup/jobs/2729490/planning-

This position provides mapping and technical support to the Planning Division with primary technical guidance provided by the Senior Planner. For some tasks, the candidate will report to other Planning Division staff and may occasionally work with the City GIS Coordinator. The work requires compliance with frequent deadlines. Normal attention to work is required to prevent errors. Work is performed in an office setting but may require fieldwork.

The City of Puyallup is situated at the foot of Mount Rainier, just east of Tacoma and about 45 minutes south of Seattle. The city has gained prominence as a regional commercial and service center for Pierce County and continues to serve its residents and neighbors with a strong, diversified economy. With a population of approximately 41,000, the city and surrounding area offer an array of recreational and community events that make Puyallup a vibrant place to live, work and play.

Essential Functions

• This position provides technical and mapping support to the Planning Division. The planning assistant will assist with projects related to the City's Comprehensive Plan, mapping and other special planning projects. Work assigned to this position may include:
• Assisting staff in collecting and preparing data for various planning projects;
• Formulation and analysis of GIS data;
• Participating in public outreach;
• Image database compilation;
• Preparing maps and planning reports of limited or variable complexity;
• Basic permit review;
• Providing public information and assistance.

The planning assistant will have a proportion of time set aside for a long term project that will develop over the course of their tenure with the City. This long term project is intended to provide the intern with valuable project management experience in planning and be of benefit to the City.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Basic understanding of state, regional, and local planning regulations and policy framework;
• Basic urban planning principles;
• Microsoft Office suite software;
• Essential principles of geographic information systems (GIS);
• Basic cartographic practices;
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) or similar graphic design software preferred;
• Basic understanding of photography preferred;
• Google SketchUp preferred.

Ability to:

• Ask for assistance when needed;
• Communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing;
• Begin and complete a variety of projects;
• Develop map and graphic resources;
• Perform research;
• Plan, organize and complete work to meet deadlines with a minimum amount of supervision;
• Maintain neat and orderly computer and paper files;
• Log work and job-related duties using a basic tracking system;
• Assist in spatial analysis and evaluation of GIS data;
• Accurately enter spatial data using ArcGIS;
• Verify, edit and update GIS spatial databases;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with supervisors and coworkers.

Education and Experience:

• Some level of experience/training in GIS or a related field that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required;
• Basic computer skills required;
• At least one year of college level courses in planning, architecture, environmental studies or other related field preferred;
• GIS certificate preferred;
• Experience using ArcGIS software preferred;
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

Physical Characteristics and Work Environment

• Constant Demands: Sitting; fine finger manipulation with use of a keyboard; repetitive hand motion; talking; seeing and hearing.
• Frequent Demands: Standing; walking; climbing stairs.
• Occasional Demands: Bending at the waist; reaching (below the knees, knees to shoulder, and above the shoulder); walking on uneven ground for field work.
  Environmental Factors: Moderate noise levels with most of the time spent indoors in an office environment. Field work may require working in inclement weather.