Permit Technician 1

Department: Community Development

Rate of Pay: $25.61 - $31.12

Position Type: Full time

See full job description and apply

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Entry level position which performs a variety of office tasks of technical and specialized permit processing duties including residential plans intake, limited commercial plans intake, customer counter assistance, permit tracking, plan review coordination and other technical duties in support of the receipt, processing and recordkeeping functions of the City's permitting section.  Provides information and assistance to customers in applying for and obtaining City permits.  Provides and coordinates information with other agencies and departments about projects in the permit process and regarding current State and City code requirements. Supports service delivery with backup coverage for staff absences. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides high-quality service to residents, businesses, applicants, and other stakeholders on matters related to building permit program areas.This includes but is not limited to services offered and inquiries answered via “walk-ins” at the office, phone calls and email.Explains to applicants the requirements and the current process status of projects to clarify timelines, improve communication and minimize service delivery contention.Refers complicated permits and technical questions to more senior appropriate staff. (30%)
• Under direct supervision, and in coordination with the Permit Technician 2, receives, reviews and processes residential and limited commercial construction documents and applications received from the public; reviews applications to ensure accuracy and completeness; assists in completing applications; provides information regarding the application process, adopted state and city codes; and, ensures adequate information is being submitted for review. (15%)
• Assists in the coordination of the Building Division’s plan review, permitting, and inspection processes by: Receiving plans and permit applications; distributing files to and collecting information from review entities; entering data into permit management software; communicating with applicants and staff performing plan review and inspections; maintaining records of permits and inspections; and other similar activities. Receives approvals from other agencies and departments and prepares and issues building code related permits, ensuring that other agencies and department requirements have been addressed. (15%)
• Receives and sets up inspection requests, coordinates inspections with inspectors and contractors, monitors performance and efficiency of the inspection program and makes corrections and changes to the program as necessary.(15%)
• Efficiently and effectively uses current and future department permit and plan review software to maintain and update permit and inspection status and current processing steps to ensure an accurate project status is reflected. Monitors the permit review process by routing applications and plans and tracking applications through the approval process; ensures timely processing of application requests. (15%)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides high-quality service to residents, businesses, applicants, and other stakeholders on matters related to building permit program areas.This includes but is not limited to services offered and inquiries answered via “walk-ins” at the office, phone calls and email.Explains to applicants the requirements and the current process status of projects to clarify timelines, improve communication and minimize service delivery contention.Refers complicated permits and technical questions to more senior appropriate staff. (30%)
• Under direct supervision, and in coordination with the Permit Technician 2, receives, reviews and processes residential and limited commercial construction documents and applications received from the public; reviews applications to ensure accuracy and completeness; assists in completing applications; provides information regarding the application process, adopted state and city codes; and, ensures adequate information is being submitted for review. (15%)
• Assists in the coordination of the Building Division’s plan review, permitting, and inspection processes by: Receiving plans and permit applications; distributing files to and collecting information from review entities; entering data into permit management software; communicating with applicants and staff performing plan review and inspections; maintaining records of permits and inspections; and other similar activities. Receives approvals from other agencies and departments and prepares and issues building code related permits, ensuring that other agencies and department requirements have been addressed. (15%)
• Receives and sets up inspection requests, coordinates inspections with inspectors and contractors, monitors performance and efficiency of the inspection program and makes corrections and changes to the program as necessary.(15%)
• Efficiently and effectively uses current and future department permit and plan review software to maintain and update permit and inspection status and current processing steps to ensure an accurate project status is reflected. Monitors the permit review process by routing applications and plans and tracking applications through the approval process; ensures timely processing of application requests. (15%)

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Digital and physical file management and record-keeping procedures.
• Customer service techniques and practices.

Ability to:

• Effectively use designated City permit processing software (required).
• Learn other software utilized within the department, which may include but is not limited to, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, TeamGIS, Energov, ePlan/Project Dox, iG Inspect.
• Provide high-quality customer service to citizens, contractors and other customers, often during time sensitive and/or demanding circumstances with competing needs.
• Professionally and effectively coordinate with other agencies and City departments.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Flexibly adapt to and adopt changing technology and practices.
• Work effectively with the public, vendors, service providers, and City staff.
• Organize office environment and workflows efficiently.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively.
• Self-direct and organize routine tasks for timely completion.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of planning and building programs, policies, related procedures and terminology; experience in a local government community development office.
• Permitting experience or similar experience in construction administration and processes.
• Knowledge of records retention and maintenance requirements for Oregon public agencies.
• Multilingual; especially speak and/or read/write Spanish and/or Russian.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Typically demonstrated through an associate’s degree and one year of related office experience, (equivalency of 2-3 years of qualifying education, training, and/or experience), or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and training necessary to perform the job. 

HIGHLY DESIRED: ICC Permit Technician Certification, and prior local government experience in building construction or inspection environment which provides knowledge of permit processes, regulations, laws and requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CERTIFICATION

• Possession of valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Desirable Qualifications:
• Knowledge of planning and building programs, policies, related procedures and terminology; experience in a local government community development office.
• Permitting experience or similar experience in construction administration and processes.
• Knowledge of records retention and maintenance requirements for Oregon public agencies.
• Multilingual; especially speak and/or read/write Spanish and/or Russian.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF POSITION:

Frequently sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop and reach.  Move materials weighing up to 5 pounds on a regular basis and move materials weighing up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Hearing, speaking and seeing.  Manual dexterity, coordination and repetitive motion are required over 70% of the work period while operating equipment (i.e., computer, calculator, etc.).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office environment with frequent interruptions throughout the day.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision is not a typical function assigned to this position, however, may provide training and direction to the back-up designee for the position and assist in the orientation of newly assigned department personnel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the direct supervision of the Building and Code Compliance Program Manager or Community Development Director.  May receive guidance from the Permit Technician 2, Building Official, Community Development Director or other City staff.

Disclaimer

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION COVERS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DUTIES PERFORMED BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL DUTIES THAT MY BE PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THIS CLASSIFICATION.