Permit Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Two years of college coursework or training directly related to the required knowledge and abilities.
• Three years of increasingly responsible municipal building-permit processing experience, including interpreting and applying rules and regulations, processing complex permits, and handling customer-service issues and complaints. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the date of appointment, a valid Class C California Driver’s License.
• Advanced knowledge of building, planning, and development permit-processing principles, practices, technology, and terminology; municipal government functions; permitting software; office practices; records management; and customer service practices.
• Knowledge of laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations applicable to urban planning, building, community development, and zoning; building construction methods and terminology; and basic research, data collection, statistical analysis, and report preparation.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, permit tracking systems, internet research tools, and GIS or mapping software.
• Ability to read and interpret basic site plans, floor plans, elevations, maps, aerial imagery, construction drawings, blueprints, plans, and specifications.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply building and zoning codes and other regulations, and recognize matters requiring professional or technical referral.
• Ability to review applications for completeness and regulatory compliance; conduct research; compile and analyze information; and prepare written, tabular, graphic, or map-based findings and materials.
• Ability to use municipal permitting software, GIS, databases, records-search software, and standard office technology, and assist others in navigating permitting software.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and courteously with staff, applicants, property owners, consultants, public agencies, and the public, including during complex or escalated interactions.
• Ability to organize and maintain accurate records, files, databases, and permit-tracking information; manage multiple assignments and deadlines; follow established procedures; and exercise sound judgment and independence within established policies.
• Ability to prepare clear permit-related correspondence, reports, tables, exhibits, graphics, notices, and public-hearing materials.
• Ability to provide accurate, timely, service-oriented assistance; respond constructively to complaints and difficult interactions; and establish effective cooperative working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a Permit Technician certification issued by the International Code Council.

Responsibilities

• Independently process and coordinate complex building, planning, and other development-related permit transactions, reviewing applications for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Provide general and technical information to applicants, property owners, developers, contractors, architects, and the public about permit requirements and processes, plan-review submissions, codes, fees, procedures, and application status; refer matters requiring professional or substantive interpretation to appropriate staff.
• Receive, coordinate, and review complex permit applications and drawings for accuracy, completeness, and compliance; issue and record approved permits within assigned authority; calculate and collect fees; reconcile daily receipts; categorize permits; and issue inspection cards.
• Receive complex and unusual plan-check submittals, route plans, coordinate multi-departmental review, verify required reviews and approvals, calculate fees, and communicate project status to customers.
• Refer customers to planning, inspection, plan-check, and engineering staff when detailed technical review or explanation is required.
• Resolve escalated customer-service matters by investigating concerns and applicable requirements, coordinating with staff, explaining available options, and working toward timely resolution.
• Provide technical and functional direction to permit staff, assist with training, and review others’ work for quality and adherence to procedures.
• Enter, update, and retrieve permit information in tracking databases; research file activity; and prepare statistical or routine departmental reports.
• Calculate fees under established schedules and verify payment before permit issuance, occupancy, or utility releases.
• Provide backup for permit-processing and related administrative functions when operationally necessary.
• File permits and plans, prepare materials for archival scanning, and assemble files and information for public records requests.
• Assemble, prepare, and distribute factual and administrative materials for staff meetings, internal committees, and publicly noticed decisions as needed.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the advanced journey-level and lead technical scope of the classification.
• Perform assigned disaster service worker duties in an emergency or disaster.

Benefits

• Exceptional employee benefits (specific benefits are not listed).
• Opportunities for training and development.