Engineering Associate (Permit Processing)

Baltimore County•Towson, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs routine subprofessional engineering, drafting, design, and computational work. Serves as the primary frontline contact and subject matter expert in person at the permit counter, by phone, and through email, answering a high volume of complex permitting inquiries from homeowners, contractors, architects, and developers. Assists walk-in customers with navigating the online portal, filling out complex permit applications correctly, and assembling necessary submittal packages. De-escalates frustrated or challenging customer interactions professionally, providing clear solutions, explaining administrative procedures, and clarifying complex code requirements. Guides applicants step-by-step through the permit approval life cycle, proactively providing status updates, clarifying hold conditions, and outlining required next steps. Explains permit fee schedules, calculation methodologies, and payment processes clearly to applicants to ensure complete financial transparency. Acts as a customer liaison between applicants and technical review divisions (e.g., Zoning, Environmental Protection, Planning) facilitating clear communication and resolving agency feedback or hold notes. Performs complex, high-level reviews of engineering, architectural, and development plans, plats, maps, and specifications to verify completeness, accuracy, and adherence to relevant codes and regulatory standards. Reviews and calculates complex permit fees, assessments, and costs based on established linear footage schedules, property lines, and drawing contents. Manages intake processing and dispersing of permit applications across multi-agency review workflows, coordinating directly with internal agencies to ensure required technical approvals are obtained. Addresses and resolves complex revisions, conflicts, and disputes arising throughout the permitting approval process. Provides guidance, training, and operational support to lower-level Engineering Assistants (EAs), auditing customer service quality, intake accuracy, and routine calculations performed by others. Assists department supervisors with daily workflow management, high-priority projects, and process optimization to improve customer response times. Maintains accurate, highly organized electronic and physical permit records, logs, and customer interaction tracking systems. Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Possession of a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent
Four years' subprofessional engineering experience.
Knowledge of local building, zoning, and environmental regulations.
Knowledge of permitting, licensing, or regulatory administrative experience.
Knowledge permitting software and general office applications.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments, maintain accurate records, and demonstrate a high degree of attention to detail.
Ability to effectively perform in a fast-paced, public-facing government or permitting environment while managing competing priorities and meeting established deadlines.
Ability to analyze and resolve routine technical permitting issues independently by applying established policies, procedures, regulations, and departmental guidelines.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable permitting requirements, policies, procedures, codes, and regulations to routine permit-related matters.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, identify issues requiring escalation, and seek appropriate guidance when matters fall outside established procedures.
Ability to use computer systems and permitting software to enter, retrieve, review, and maintain accurate information and records.
Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education beyond high school must be submitted with each application.

Nice To Haves

Additional qualifying education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary frontline contact and subject matter expert in person at the permit counter, by phone, and through email, answering a high volume of complex permitting inquiries from homeowners, contractors, architects, and developers.
Assist walk-in customers with navigating the online portal, filling out complex permit applications correctly, and assembling necessary submittal packages.
De-escalate frustrated or challenging customer interactions professionally, providing clear solutions, explaining administrative procedures, and clarifying complex code requirements.
Guide applicants step-by-step through the permit approval life cycle, proactively providing status updates, clarifying hold conditions, and outlining required next steps.
Explain permit fee schedules, calculation methodologies, and payment processes clearly to applicants to ensure complete financial transparency.
Act as a customer liaison between applicants and technical review divisions (e.g., Zoning, Environmental Protection, Planning) facilitating clear communication and resolving agency feedback or hold notes.
Perform complex, high-level reviews of engineering, architectural, and development plans, plats, maps, and specifications to verify completeness, accuracy, and adherence to relevant codes and regulatory standards.
Review and calculate complex permit fees, assessments, and costs based on established linear footage schedules, property lines, and drawing contents.
Manage intake processing and dispersing of permit applications across multi-agency review workflows, coordinating directly with internal agencies to ensure required technical approvals are obtained.
Address and resolve complex revisions, conflicts, and disputes arising throughout the permitting approval process.
Provide guidance, training, and operational support to lower-level Engineering Assistants (EAs), auditing customer service quality, intake accuracy, and routine calculations performed by others.
Assist department supervisors with daily workflow management, high-priority projects, and process optimization to improve customer response times.
Maintain accurate, highly organized electronic and physical permit records, logs, and customer interaction tracking systems.