Permit Technician

General Purpose

Performs a variety of working level professional, technical, administrative and clerical duties related to building safety.

Incumbents are expected to pursue training to obtain sufficient knowledge and proficiency to progress to assignments that have greater complexity and require greater independent judgment.

Supervision Received:
Receives direction from the Building Official

Supervision Exercised: N/A

Processes building permit applications and plan reviews

• Performs frequent customer service work in a polite and professional manner both over the phone and in person at the front counter as the initial City representative.
• Answers questions related to zoning and building.
• Process Building Department invoices.
• Receives, reviews, accepts, processes, routes, issues, and tracks building permits
• Reviews building permit applications for zoning, submittals, commercial uses, site plans and subdivision plans.
• Monitors development review process.
• Tracks projects and applications.
• Reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with local, state and federal regulations upon submittal and returns incomplete applications to applicant.
• Inputs permit information into an automated permit system, maintaining the data and records.
• Verifies that projects have obtained all necessary department approvals and verifies professional and contractor licensing.
• Verifies permit information including legal property descriptions, property ownership, and official city addresses.
• Routes and monitors building and planning permit applications and plans through required City departments, consultants, and other agencies as applicable.
• Calculates all appropriate fees and assure payment prior to issuing permit.
• Schedules inspection requests from contractors in a timely manner and obtains required information for each request.
• Maintains meeting and appointment calendar.
• Deals with case sensitive and occasionally controversial issues affecting the public and refers complaints/concerns to appropriate staff members.
• Completes basic office administrative tasks including, but not limited to, answering and routing phone calls, responding to emails and faxes, and assists at front counter.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Maintains building records

• Manages and maintains paper and electronic applications, permits, plans, and other files including sending older files to state archive.
• Logs inspection requests and prepares daily inspection schedule using automated permit system.

Provides assistance to the public

• Provides public with information regarding the planning and building permit requirements and the application process.
• Communicates and responds effectively to the public to explain permit procedures, codes and how to interpret technical information.
• Responds to inquiries from owners, contractors, developers, and the public concerning building and planning permit regulations, application process, and requirements for obtaining permits over the phone and at the front counter.
• Maintains webpage with accurate and up-to-date building forms, design criteria, and other information to assist and educate the public and contractors with planning and building processes and requirements.
• Assists Building Official and providers to set up and schedule contractor training opportunities including required DOPL approval and reporting, contractor email notifications, creating online registration process, and support during training.

• Associate degree in business or a related field of study, and
• Two (2) years of experience working in planning, construction or building inspections field and reading and interpreting plans and specifications, or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience

• Desire an understanding of the principles and methods associated with general construction and zoning ordinances.
• Desire a basic understanding of the practices and materials used in the installation, repair, and maintenance of construction projects.
• Desire an understanding and the ability to learn, interpret and apply applicable local, state and federal codes.
• Desire an understanding to perform general technical and clerical work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Google Suite.
• Working knowledge of basic bookkeeping and general math skills.
• Working knowledge of office procedures, including effective filing and accurate record keeping management techniques; strong organizational skills and a strict attention to detail and process.
• Skill in providing effective customer service and the ability to communicate effectively to the public to explain permit procedures, codes and how to interpret technical information.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and…