Permit Specialist; Development Services Center

Job Summary

The Department of City Planning ensures the highest quality of life for present and future generations by providing excellent planning and enforcement services emphasizing the development of safe, healthy and fun communities where people choose to live, work and play.

• Reviews plans for new construction, alterations or additions to residential property and commercial signs according to applicable building codes for compliance, documents errors, and makes recommendations to architects, owners, or engineers.
• Advises and answers inquiries, interprets codes, reviews plans, and explains any necessary changes for compliance with City code.
• Issues permits by reviewing the scope of work to be performed, reviews applications, processes the permit applications and calculates permit fees.
• Performs clerical duties by processing and inputting documentation, filing forms and making copies, and directs reception duties by directing clients to the proper department.
• Reviews permit applications and construction packages, calculates permit fees and charges, ensures that fees are applied, and monitors routing through the appropriate agencies.

Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature which may be obtained with six months/one year of advanced study or training past the high school equivalency. Junior college, vocational, business, technical or correspondence schools are likely sources. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.

• Reviews residential building plans to ensure compliance with uniform statewide building codes.
• Provides building code information to the public, architects, and engineers.
• Issues and processes building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits.
• Reviews plans to ensure compliance with state and city code and design standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Two years of experience in the construction field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Associate degree in building construction, structural engineering, or a closely related area and three years of experience in building construction; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Valid Driver's License required.
• Certification from the State of Virginia for Residential Building Plans Examiner within 18 months of appointment.

This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.