Town and Regional Planning Aides

Other Titles

Community Planner, Development and Housing Director, Planning Aide, Planning Assistant, Planning Intern, Planning Technician, Zoning Technician

Compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by town planner in making planning studies. City and Regional Planning Aides perform various duties in aiding a town planner. Their job responsibilities include gathering relevant data from maps, books, special reports and other sources. In this role, they are typically a part of the city planning team. Their task is to analyse data from various sources to prepare charts, graphs and other forms of reports to help the city planner in conducting city planning studies. A part of their job is to conduct field surveys as well as interviews to determine various aspects of land usage. They also act as a liaison between the town planning department and the general public.

Participate in and support team planning efforts.

Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.

Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects.

Provide and process zoning and project permits and applications.

Respond to public inquiries and complaints.

Serve as liaison between planning department and other departments and agencies.

Inspect sites and review plans for minor development permit applications.

Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.

Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.

Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.

Perform clerical duties such as composing, typing and proofreading documents, scheduling appointments and meetings, handling mail and posting public notices.

Perform code enforcement tasks.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Systems Analysis→ Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

Analyze geological or geographical data.

Compile geographic or related data.

Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.

Provide technical information or assistance to public.

Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.

Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.

Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.

Record research or operational data.

Prepare maps.

Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Originality→ The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Geography→ Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Design→ Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Transportation→ Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Building and Construction→ Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Communications and Media→ Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Computer aided design CAD software -- e.g., Autodesk AutoCAD

Database user interface and query software -- Land management databases; Microsoft Access; building/street address databases

Electronic mail software -- Email software

Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite

Internet browser software -- Web browser software

Map creation software -- Geographic information system GIS software

Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect; Microsoft Office

Presentation software -- e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Microsoft Excel

Web platform development software -- Hypertext markup language HTML

Word processing software -- e.g., Microsoft Word

Desktop calculator→ 10-key calculators

Desktop computers

Digital camcorders or video cameras→ Digital camcorders

Digital cameras

Map measurers→ Planimeters

Microfiche or microfilm viewers→ Microfiche readers

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Overhead projectors

Personal computers

Photocopiers

Plotter printers→ Plotters

Scales→ Drafting scales

Scanners→ Digitizers

Slide projectors

Special purpose telephones→ Multi-line telephone systems

Still cameras→ 35 millimeter cameras

Two way radios

Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.