Planning Specialist

City of Melissa
Job Posting
01/14/2026 (Open Until Filled)

Planning Specialist
Salary: $52,000 - $57,000

Applications should include a Cover Letter and Resume.

Under general direction, the Development Permitting Specialist supports the City of Melissa’s Development Services Department by coordinating, reviewing, and processing a wide range of development-related permits. This includes development permits, transportation permits, drainage permits, and Certificates of Occupancy. The Specialist assists in ensuring compliance with city ordinances, engineering standards, and zoning regulations while providing exceptional customer service to applicants, residents, and development professionals.

This role also assists with permit tracking, reporting, and research to support department operations and continuous improvement.

General supervision provided by the Director of Development.

This list is illustrative and is not a comprehensive list of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position.

• Receives, reviews, and processes development-related permit applications, including development permits, transportation permits, driveway/ROW permits, drainage permits, and Certificates of Occupancy.
• Conducts preliminary reviews of submitted plans and documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with city codes, ordinances, development regulations, and engineering standards.
• Coordinates permit reviews with Planning, Engineering, Public Works, Fire, and other departments to ensure timely and thorough evaluations.
• Provides excellent customer service by assisting applicants, developers, residents, and design professionals with submittal requirements, processes, timelines, and city standards.
• Tracks permits through each stage of review, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information in the city’s permitting software.
• Prepares, maintains, and distributes reports related to permit activity, trends, and project tracking.
• Communicates clearly with applicants regarding corrections, approvals, conditions, and next steps.
• Assists with updating and improving permit forms, checklists, workflows, and public-facing informational materials.
• Provides support during development review meetings, pre-development conferences, and interdepartmental coordination efforts.
• Provides excellent customer service to applicants and the public.
• Responds to inquiries from the public regarding the permitting processes and requirements.
• Provides various routine clerical duties, utilizing standard office equipment to include routine incoming calls, taking, and transmitting messages, making photocopies, receiving, sorting, and distributing mail, performing data entry, faxing documents, and word processing.
• Assists in the preparation, processing, receipting, sorting, and distribution of a variety of lists, correspondence, packets, invoices, and materials.
• Inputs a variety of information into the computer system relating to permits and inspections.
• Performs file maintenance functions and searches, pulls, and routes files appropriately.
• Assists with special research assignments.
• Utilizes permitting software.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Minimum of two (2) years previous experience and training that includes clerical, administrative work, and customer service;

OR

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that will allow the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

2. Must possess a valid Class "C" driver's license prior to employment.

3. Must be able to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Knowledge of:
Policies and procedures of department;
Basic principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation;
Basic mathematical principles;
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation;
Principles and procedures of filing;
Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment; utilizing standard office equipment to include: routine incoming calls, taking and transmitting…