Permit Specialist

Benefits Of Working For Berkeley

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top‑ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Permit Specialist! In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide a one‑stop service to the public for permit applications. You will collect fees, process and issue building permits, and review and issue permits for the Fire, Planning, and Public Works Departments.

See the full job specification here:

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from high school and three years of technical or office support experience with extensive public interaction providing information and processing documents; or in the building construction trades working with building codes and document processing.

Completion of college‑level course work in building construction or directly related areas is highly desirable.

In addition to the qualifications mentioned above, the ideal candidate will possess strong customer service skills and the ability to interact professionally with members of the public.

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on February 23, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio‑format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include , but may not be limited to :

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Written Exam (tentatively scheduled for late March 2026)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job‑related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate.

Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations:
The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr at the time of application.

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver’s license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.