Building Permit Technician I

City of Jurupa Valley•Jurupa Valley, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical support duties related to the issuance of permits for the Building Division and in support of related services and activities of the Community Development Department; provides customer service by phone, email, and at the public counter; performs preliminary review of plans and specifications for plan check submittal; reviews and processes applications, issues permits, and calculates and collects fees; and performs related duties and responsibilities, as assigned. This is the entry-level classification in the Building Permit Technician series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine administrative and technical building permit and plan review support work. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Building Permit Technician II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Requirements

Knowledge of City planning and permitting processes.
Knowledge of basic construction methods and terminology.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of reviewing a diverse range of applications for accuracy and completeness.
Knowledge of organization, procedures, and operating details of the Community Development Department.
Knowledge of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Knowledge of business mathematics.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to building, engineering, land use, and/or urban planning, sufficient to answer questions and provide information to the public.
Knowledge of cash handling techniques.
Knowledge of communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
Knowledge of operations and organizational structure of municipal government.
Knowledge of principles and practices of research and report preparation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of filing and recordkeeping.
Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Knowledge of City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Ability to understand and explain City policies, procedures, fees, and basic planning and building codes and regulations to the general public, permit applicants, and City staff.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, related construction documents, and maps.
Ability to perform detailed, technical, and specialized planning and/or permit support work.
Ability to perform the full range of office and administrative support duties and tasks.
Ability to respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls, walk-up traffic, and other requests and interruptions.
Ability to compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
Ability to maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
Ability to make accurate arithmetic and financial computations.
Ability to make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
Ability to operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
A minimum of one (1) year of administrative or technical experience involving a high level of public contact and customer service experience.
High School graduation or satisfactory equivalent.

Nice To Haves

The completion of an Associate’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Technology or a related field from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provides appropriate information regarding ordinances, procedures, and requirements for building and housing construction, remodeling and repair, including structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and zoning matters, and California Title 24 requirements to the public including homeowners, developers, contractors, and architects, in person and over the counter and telephone; provides information on departmental policies and functions; assists the public in the application process for building permits.
Assists in processing plan check applications for construction plans for commercial, industrial, and residential projects; reviews plans for the purpose of establishing valuation and fee computation; performs preliminary review of plans and/or permit applications for building construction to ensure conformance with the City's submittal requirements, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing construction; refers plans and applications to appropriate personnel, as necessary.
Conducts building permit processing; reviews permit applications, plans, specifications, and supporting documents for completeness and compliance with legal standards and City requirements; verifies contractors’ licenses, business licenses, and insurance coverages; calculates application and permit fees; prepares bills, collects fees, and issues receipts; issues building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits following established guidelines.
Reviews applications for building permits; within authorized guidelines, may approve routine permits for small projects such as room additions, garage conversions, patio covers, and backyard pools; if outside scope of authority, routes permit applications to appropriate staff.
Works cooperatively with property owners, contractors, architects, or their representatives to resolve questions regarding plan check, construction inspection, permit fees, or permit issuance; applies departmental policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and reports; provides information and forms to the public; processes appropriate information.
Compiles information and data for reports; maintains a variety of statistical records; checks and tabulates statistical data.
May assist with providing training to front counter staff; provides input into division policies, procedures, and work processes impacting technical support staff.
Contacts the public and outside agencies in acquiring and providing information and making referrals.
Maintains departmental records and files; files permits and plans; makes photocopies or microfilms permits and plans; retrieves information from files, as necessary.
May assist with special assignments and projects as determined by management.
Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.