Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urban Development Technician
💰 $45,000 - $70,000
Urban PlanningEngineeringGISConstruction
🎯 Role Definition
The Urban Development Technician supports planning, design, permitting, and compliance activities for public- and private-sector development projects. This role combines field data collection (surveying, inspections), technical drafting (CAD, GIS), regulatory review (zoning, permits), and stakeholder coordination (consultations, public meetings). The Technician translates planning policy and engineering direction into accurate drawings, reports, and permit-ready documentation that accelerate approvals and ensure developments comply with municipal codes, environmental regulations, and construction standards.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Junior CAD/Engineering Technician
- GIS Technician or Mapping Technician
- Field Survey Technician / Construction Inspector
Advancement To:
- Senior Urban Development Technician
- Planning Technician / Planner I
- Development Coordinator / Permit Coordinator
- Municipal Planner or Project Manager (with experience)
Lateral Moves:
- GIS Analyst
- Construction Inspector
- Environmental Technician
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct detailed site visits and field surveys to collect topographic, infrastructure, utilities, and environmental data using GPS, total station, laser distance meters, and mobile GIS tools; document site conditions for planning reports and permit submissions.
- Prepare and revise technical drawings, plan sets, and construction details using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or equivalent CAD software, ensuring accuracy of property boundaries, setbacks, easements, right-of-way limits, and utility layouts for development applications.
- Create, maintain, and analyze spatial datasets in ArcGIS or QGIS to support land‑use studies, master planning, corridor analyses, and zoning compliance checks; produce maps, geoprocessing outputs, and web map layers for stakeholders.
- Review development applications, site plans, and subdivision sketches for conformance with municipal zoning bylaws, official plans, building codes, and engineering standards; summarize deficiencies and required revisions for applicants and reviewers.
- Coordinate permit intake and processing activities by compiling application packages, tracking review timelines, liaising with permit applicants, and scheduling internal technical reviews with planning, engineering, and environmental teams.
- Assist planners and engineers by producing technical reports, feasibility studies, cost estimates, and impact assessments (traffic, stormwater, ecological) that inform decision-making and support public hearings.
- Perform construction inspection and site supervision for development agreements and phased construction works, documenting compliance with approved plans, issuing non-compliance reports, and coordinating corrective action with contractors.
- Manage utility and infrastructure data (sanitary, storm, water, roadworks) and update municipal asset databases; identify conflicts with proposed development and recommend mitigation or redesign options.
- Support public and stakeholder engagement by preparing exhibit boards, presentation maps, fact sheets, and by attending neighbourhood meetings to explain proposed developments, regulatory processes, and timelines.
- Prepare legal descriptions, parcel consolidation plans, and easement documentation for land transfers, right-of-way dedications, and development agreements in coordination with land surveyors and legal counsel.
- Collect and interpret environmental baseline information (topsoil, vegetation, drainage patterns, floodplain limits) to ensure proposed developments meet environmental protection policies and permit conditions.
- Assist in preparing and reviewing stormwater management plans, grading plans, and erosion and sediment control plans to ensure compliance with municipal engineering standards and environmental regulations.
- Conduct research and analysis of planning policy, zoning case law, council decisions, and best practices to provide technical input on complex development files and to assist with policy implementation projects.
- Prepare and maintain project schedules, monitor milestones for design submissions, consultations, permits, and construction phases, and provide regular status reports to project managers and clients.
- Support the preparation and submission of grant applications, funding proposals, and technical appendices for infrastructure and community development projects, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with funding agency requirements.
- Create 3D visualizations and conceptual site models using SketchUp, Civil 3D, or GIS 3D tools to illustrate massing, grading, and sight-line impacts for review by planners, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
- Maintain document control systems for planning files, ensuring all versions of plans, reports, approvals, and correspondence are properly archived and accessible for audit and council inquiries.
- Coordinate with utility companies, transportation authorities, and municipal departments to resolve design conflicts, obtain technical approvals, and integrate multi-disciplinary requirements into final construction drawings.
- Support code compliance and enforcement actions by inspecting completed works, documenting deficiencies against approved plans or permits, and preparing enforcement notices or recommendations for permitting officers.
- Assist in the development and updating of standard drawing libraries, checklist templates, and process workflows that streamline plan intake, technical review, and permit issuance processes.
- Analyze demographic, housing, and economic data to assist in neighborhood studies, redevelopment proposals, and land-use forecasting; summarize findings in clear, decision-ready formats for planners and stakeholders.
- Prepare clear, professional technical correspondence, memos, and briefing notes for internal teams, elected officials, and external applicants that explain technical requirements, outstanding issues, and recommended next steps.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc mapping and spatial analysis requests across planning, public works, and economic development teams; produce custom maps, spatial queries, and data extracts on short timelines.
- Contribute to departmental process improvement initiatives by identifying bottlenecks in application reviews, proposing automation or checklist improvements, and piloting new software tools.
- Assist with community outreach logistics—scheduling meetings, preparing materials, and following up on feedback—and log and summarize public comments for planning reports.
- Participate in cross-departmental project meetings to clarify scope, technical constraints, and resource needs; help translate policy direction into technical deliverables.
- Mentor or provide on-the-job training to junior technicians and interns on field data collection methods, CAD/GIS best practices, and municipal permitting workflows.
- Help maintain compliance with occupational health and safety procedures during fieldwork and site inspections, including traffic control, PPE use, and hazard reporting.
- Support the organization’s GIS/data strategy by contributing to data standards, metadata documentation, and the conversion of legacy records into GIS-ready formats.
- Assist in preparing tender documents, technical specifications, and evaluation matrices for procurement of surveying, engineering, or environmental consultant services.
- Provide after-hours or on-call support for urgent field inspections, site incidents, or time-sensitive permit issues, as required by project schedules or municipal needs.
- Compile performance metrics and help produce regular dashboards on permit turnaround times, inspection outcomes, and development activity to inform leadership and continuous improvement.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proficient in ArcGIS Desktop / ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS for mapping, spatial analysis, and production of cartographic deliverables.
- Skilled in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD, or equivalent CAD platforms to produce detailed site plans, grading plans, and construction drawings.
- Field surveying competencies: GPS data collection, total station setup/operation, leveling, and integration of survey data into CAD/GIS workflows.
- Strong working knowledge of municipal zoning bylaws, land-use policies, subdivision regulations, and site plan control processes.
- Experience preparing and reviewing development permit packages, building permit checklists, and related compliance documentation.
- Familiar with stormwater management, erosion and sediment control principles, and preparation/review of SWM and grading plans.
- Competent in Microsoft Office suite (Excel for data analysis, Word for reports, PowerPoint for presentations) and document management systems.
- Ability to produce 3D models or visualizations (SketchUp, Civil 3D, ArcGIS 3D) to communicate site design, massing, and grade relationships.
- Experience with asset/infrastructure databases (e.g., municipal GIS layers for utilities, roads, parcels) and knowledge of basic database concepts.
- Strong technical writing skills for drafting technical memos, planning reports, inspection records, and permit correspondence.
- Familiarity with environmental assessment basics, natural heritage screening, and relevant provincial/state environmental regulations.
- Understanding of construction practices and ability to read engineered construction documents and specifications.
Soft Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills for clear technical explanations to non-technical stakeholders and elected officials.
- Good organizational skills with attention to detail when managing multiple development files and long approval pipelines.
- Collaborative team player who can coordinate with planning, engineering, legal, and external consultants to meet project objectives.
- Problem-solving mindset with practical, solution-focused recommendations to resolve design and compliance issues quickly.
- Customer-service orientation: ability to work with applicants and community members in a professional, respectful manner.
- Time management and prioritization skills to balance site inspections, permit reviews, and deadline-driven deliverables.
- Adaptability and learning agility to adopt new tools, standards, and processes as municipal practice and technologies evolve.
- Ethical judgement and discretion in handling confidential planning applications and landowner information.
- Facilitation skills for public meetings, site tours, and interdepartmental working groups.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Diploma or Associate degree in Urban Planning Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Land Surveying Technology, GIS, or related technical discipline.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field; or advanced diploma with significant municipal or consulting experience.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Urban Planning / Planning Technology
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Land Surveying / Geomatics
- Environmental Science / Resource Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of relevant experience in municipal planning, consulting engineering, surveying, or GIS roles.
Preferred:
- 3+ years supporting development review, permitting, or municipal infrastructure projects.
- Demonstrated experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS in a professional setting.
- Previous exposure to municipal bylaws, site plan control, subdivision review, or construction inspection.