TECHNOLOGIST

Job Description:

TECHNOLOGIST

Description

Description

The City of Palo Alto is seeking a Technologist to support the Data Analysis and Technology Applications (DATA) group within the Planning and Development Services Department. Talented individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology to enhance accessibility in local government are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate has experience with administering online permitting software such as Accela and will be able to demonstrate expertise.

The Technologist is responsible for managing permitting and related department software, systems analysis, programming, and implementing solutions. This position receives general supervision from an assigned manager, may exercise technical and functional direction and provide training to staff on a project basis.
The Planning and Development Services Department provides guidance for land use development, long range planning, housing, and environmental policies. The department also processes permit and entitlement applications and ensures conformance with applicable codes and regulations, responds to Planning, Zoning, Building, and Code Enforcement related questions, and implements the Historic Resources Preservation Program. For more information about the City of Palo Alto's Planning and Development Services Department, click HERE.

Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Experience administering and providing technical support for Accela and other cloud-based permitting software.
• An understanding and familiarity with the Planning, Building, and other development services permitting workflow processes.
• Effective project management and coordination skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with various departments and stakeholders.
• Strong ability to learn new systems quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Front-end development experience using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and Microsoft Power Apps.
• Database development and management experience using SQL, and report writing and management with Power BI, Crystal Reports, and SSRS.

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides technical expertise to department staff and ongoing technical support for the Accela Civic Platform, Accela CRM, DigEplan, and other integrations as adopted.
• Manages record types, workflows, reports, users, and other technical aspects of the permitting software which requires hand-on support or consultant and vendor management as needed.
• Meets with development services teams regularly to understand issues and improvements needed and project manages requests from determining requirements through implementation, including quality checks.
• Trains staff on new system functionalities and updates.
• Assists in identification of systems software bugs or modification needs, formulates proper resolution request to system representatives, monitors resolution, and ensure all stakeholders are apprised.
• Creates and publishes training documentation or videos to assist staff and stakeholders who use the permitting software.
• Identifies areas where change or increased use of existing or new systems would provide increased speed, accuracy, or efficacy in Planning & Development Services operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS), or related field with specialization in electronic data processing, programming, systems analysis, and system design, or equivalent.

and

• Depending upon area of assignment, three to four years of increasingly responsible experience in information technology.

For the full Technologist job description, click HERE

Supplemental Information

More than one position may be filled through this posting.

The City of Palo Alto offers a fantastic benefits package. For all full-time employees:

• 80 hours of vacation, hours increase with years of service.
• Affordable health plans with a choice between HMO and PPO.
• Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Generous retirement pension program administered by CalPERS
• Commuter incentives for qualifying staff
  and more....

To learn more, click HERE

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 3/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$158,017.60 - $193,440.00 Annually