Permit Technician I​/II​/III, Grades 15

Permit Technician I: $55,517 to $66,371

Permit Technician II: $59,897 to $91,873

Permit Technician III: $64,942 to $102,711

Safety, sustainability, and economic development are the hallmarks of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS). The department issues approximately 40,000 building permits a year and conducts thousands of inspections by local code officials. With a staff of about 240 employees, DPS’ five divisions include commercial building construction; customer support and outreach; land development; residential construction and fire code compliance;

and zoning and code compliance. DPS’s commitment to its customers is summed up by its tagline: “Your Project Partner.”

The Department is seeking a Permit Technician III to join the Division of Customer Support & Outreach. This position facilitates and administers the issuance of various permits and licensing. The employee must deliver professional‑quality service to customers including homeowners, business owners, contractors, architects, engineers, and other professionals from diverse backgrounds or whose primary language is not English.

The position may be underfilled as a Permit Technician II (Grade 17) or Permit Technician I (Grade 15). Once the employee is at full performance and meets the minimum requirements, they are eligible for a non‑competitive promotion through the series to Permit Technician III, Grade 19.

This advanced paraprofessional role facilitates building permit, construction inspection, and land‑use regulation processes through direct interaction with the public and development professionals. It includes coordination, problem‑solving, legal/procedural clarification, research, and information gathering. Through customer interaction, the employee determines the customer’s need and type of service, advises about procedural and legal considerations, performs sub‑professional work to expedite approvals, and follows up to ensure service delivery.

Duties Include:

• Review and process various types of permits, licenses, and applications.
• Assess fees correctly; ensure fees and bonds are properly collected and all applicable codes, regulations, procedures, and policies are followed.
• Provide high‑level customer and concierge service to applicants.
• Assist in‑person customers while working at DPS front desk.
• Answer phones in a call‑center type environment to assist customers.
• Monitor high‑profile, complex projects by serving as a liaison between customers and DPS and maintain project records through permit issuance and final inspections.
• Respond to records and information requests; search and provide permit and construction records.
• Other duties as related to the position.

This position requires successful completion of a pre‑employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.

This position requires filing a Financial Disclosure Statement.

There may be an opportunity for limited telework or a compressed schedule after the initial training period.

• Permit Technician III (Grade 19):
  Five (5) years of experience in client advocacy work in a regulatory environment, at least two years of which must have been in a land use or building permit setting.
• Permit Technician II (Grade 17, under‑filled):
  Three (3) years of experience in client advocacy work in a regulatory environment, at least two years of which must have been in a land use or building permit setting.
• Permit Technician I (Grade 15, under‑filled):
  Two (2) years of experience working with clients to assist in a setting that involves time constraints, financial risks, emotional intensity, and a substantial body of laws and procedures that govern the delivery of services.

Graduation from high school or high school certificate of completion recognized by the State of Maryland.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

All applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade or higher will be placed on the Referred List as a “Transfer” candidate and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following areas:

• Providing customer service, specifically responding to questions in person, over the phone, and via email.
• Communicating both orally and in writing with a diverse group of internal and external customers.
• Using multiple computer applications.
• Working in teamwork and collaborating with others.
• Applying internal template procedures or processes to achieve successful project outcomes.