Permit Technician

Under general supervision, performs technical duties in support of the Community Development department including: providing assistance to customers and the public with the permitting process; answering routine permit inquiries and licensing requirements; providing related administrative services; processing invoices, monitoring application fund balances, and assisting in permit data collection; reviewing, in-taking, processing, and routing a variety of applications and permits, including calculating fees, accepting payments, entering data into and running reports from the City's permit tracking system (TRAKiT); and providing assistance to City and Community Development department staff as directed.

Positions in this class perform complex and specialized administrative support tasks in support of a program at the advanced technical level.  Work is performed within established procedures; however, incumbents complete tasks independently and apply established guidelines and alternatives to make judgments and decisions.

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

1. Accepts permit applications and license applications, checks for accuracy and completeness, calculates and collects fees, issues receipt, enters application into permit tracking system, and routes to appropriate review staff.  Enters application decisions into permit tracking system and issues permits and/or forwards decisions as well as approved plan sets to applicants. 
2. Accounts for daily fee intake and submits reports to financial staff.
3. Prepares mailings and public notifications for public meetings and hearings. 
4. Drafts routine correspondence and notices to customers.
5. Creates, organizes and maintains all project files; assigns document number to files and identifies additional information required to proceed with the plan review process; enters information into computer.
6. Coordinates the permit tracking process; ensures that permit tracking is started and all relevant application information is accurately entered into computer; reviews and updates computer information as needed.  Coordinates the permit tracking system for inspections of public and private improvements, schedules inspections, releases financial guarantees as improvements are inspected and accepted, coordinates the building inspection and certificate of occupancy process.  
7. Responds to technical information requests and inquiries from the public regarding planning, building and engineering requirements, regulations and restrictions within established limits.
8. Directs the public to appropriate City codes, regulation manuals, information sheets as well as permit and license applications or as necessary, to other City staff for more specific technical information.   
9. Responds to procedural questions and status requests from applicants and the public regarding permits and licenses at the service counter, by telephone, or email.
10. Resolves discrepancies and complaints related to permit applications and plan reviews as well as license applications as necessary.
11. Performs census taking for annexations and site postings for development applications.
12. Assists in establishing efficient and effective procedures for permit processing; assists in performing research on trends in permitting procedures and makes recommendations on upgrades to current systems and procedures.  
13. Creates and maintains a variety of logs and other tracking tools.
14. Prepares and creates graphs, tables and other illustrative materials; designs reports; handles the reproduction of reports and other materials. 
15. Performs a variety of clerical duties including word processing, filing, scheduling, supply ordering, map organization and booking meeting spaces. 
16. Assists with public records requests as assigned.
17. Relieves front counter clerical and office support personnel as needed.

A combination of the experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.

Experience:  

• Two years of experience providing customer service through a variety of means.
• One year of experience working for a local government agency providing customer service and/or performing technical duties related to the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
• One year experience as a Permit Coordinator or Permit Technician preferred.

Education and Training:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, construction management, environmental science, civil engineering or a related field preferred.

Licenses or Certificates:

• Must possess, or have the ability to possess within one month of hire date, a Washington State Driver’s License.
• International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician Certification preferred.

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.   The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift up to 10 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move 10 to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position works in an office, and the noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.  

This position may be required to attend meetings both onsite and offsite, inside and outside of standard office hours as assigned.

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required.  It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Salary : $32 - $39