On-Call Permit Technician

City of Kirkland•Kirkland, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Permit Technician provides technical information to the public and developers regarding development code regulations and permit procedures. The role performs initial reviews of permit applications and plans for completeness, routes permits to appropriate City departments, and administers policies to ensure construction applications comply with State and City regulations. This is a journey-level position that follows established procedures and guidelines; it does not perform the more complex technical and investigative work assigned to the Senior Permit Technician. The position assists customers with permit applications, explains general code and permit requirements, evaluates permit processes and time frames, calculates permit and recording fees, accepts application documents, prepares permits for issuance, and calculates water meter and supply-piping sizes for new construction under the adopted Plumbing Code. It also processes complaints regarding development activities and Landlord-Tenant Act matters. Additional duties include supporting and training department staff in permitting software, developing and updating related training and procedures, assisting with department web content, serving as a department liaison to the City Web Committee, reviewing certain single-family site plans for zoning compliance, and assisting the Building Official with city ordinances as needed. The position is on-call, with no guaranteed schedule and hours ranging from 0 to 40 per week depending on office needs. It is not eligible for benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Two years of office experience with heavy public contact and two years of general computer experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the duties.
Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use a permit-tracking database application.
Possess and maintain current International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification, or obtain it within one year of hire.
Ability to work in a stressful environment, manage several tasks simultaneously, and work with constant interruptions.
Ability to work effectively with diverse, difficult, and upset customers.
Precise attention to detail, good organizational skills, and ability to continually reprioritize work.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with technical service-oriented teams and a development review team.
Ability to attain a basic knowledge of multiple codes.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to use software applications including word processing, permit-tracking databases, spreadsheets, and presentation applications.
Ability to monitor, respond to, and transmit information to field personnel.
Good math skills.

Nice To Haves

One year of Permit Technician experience.
Basic engineering drafting experience.
Ability to read and interpret maps, codes, regulations, standards, legal descriptions, and government and legal documents.

Responsibilities

Provide general and technical information to the public and interpret general development-services code and permit requirements.
Respond to public inquiries in person, by telephone, and by email; explain available information and help customers use department websites.
Perform initial reviews of permit applications and plans to determine completeness and assist customers and developers with the submittal process.
Evaluate permit processes and time frames; calculate permit fees based on applicable project criteria.
Accept application documents, route permits to appropriate City departments, and prepare permits for issuance.
Calculate water meter and water supply piping sizes for new construction using customer-provided information and established criteria under the adopted Plumbing Code.
Handle and process complaints regarding development activities and Landlord-Tenant Act complaints.
Provide ongoing support and training to Planning and Building Department personnel on permitting software.
May assist in authoring department Internet and Intranet web content and serve as the department representative on the Web Committee.
Calculate document-recording fees and collect securities for house-moving permits; explain requirements and ensure appropriate security and legal documents are obtained.
Develop and organize permitting software training, including classroom training for new City employees in other departments.
Develop, review, and update Permit Technician and Division policies, procedures, and standards.
Review single-family site plans to ensure exterior mechanical unit placement complies with the zoning code.
Assist the Building Official in formulating City ordinances as necessary.
Perform assigned functions in the City emergency response plan and other duties as assigned.