Permit Specialist I/II

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where you can directly impact the customer experience? If you enjoy solving problems, possess strong attention to detail, and excel at guiding individuals through complex processes to achieve successful outcomes, the Permit Specialist position within our Community Development department offers a rewarding opportunity. In this role, you will play a crucial part in streamlining the building permit application process, ensuring a positive and efficient experience for our community members

The Permit Specialist is a flexibly staffed position and may be filled at either the Specialist I or Specialist II level at the discretion of the department, based upon the experience level of the candidate. The eligibility list will be used to fill current and future full-time and limited-term vacancies.

Salary Range:
Permit Specialist I: $24.64 - $38.76 hourly
Permit Specialist II: $26.86 - $42.26 hourly

Your Impact

As a Permit Specialist, you will play a crucial role in the smooth and efficient processing of development projects within the City. Your responsibilities will include:

• Project Submittal Coordination and Management: You will facilitate the efficient and accurate processing of entitlement, development, and construction project applications and permits. This includes coordinating with various departments (e.g., Public Works & Sustainability) and external agencies (e.g., Orange County Fire Authority) to ensure a streamlined review and approval process.
• Technical Review and Assessment: You will be responsible for calculating and determining fees for various types of application submittals and permit issuance. You will also verify the completeness of project documentation, ensuring all necessary approvals and signatures are obtained prior to permit issuance. Additionally, you will determine the eligibility of customers to obtain a permit by verifying the validity/type of contractor license and City business license.
• Customer Service and Support: You will provide exceptional customer service by promptly and effectively addressing inquiries at the public counter, in person, via phone, and online. You will proactively offer resources and guidance to customers, including permit applications, fee schedules, ordinances, and planning information. You will also assist customers in understanding submittal procedures and requirements, and permit issuance processes. Furthermore, you will research and resolve customer concerns or complaints related to delays in project processing.
• Administrative and Recordkeeping: You will process payments, issue receipts, and maintain accurate financial records, including monies for outside agencies. You will also enter project data and fees into the permit tracking system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Permit Specialist I:  High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by post-secondary courses in accounting or business administration, and two (2) years experience in customer service at a public counter, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Permit Specialist II:  High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by post-secondary courses in accounting or business administration, and three (3) years experience processing permits at a public counter, performing all assigned areas of the permit issuance process, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Best Fit

• Strong background in customer service.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with the public.
• Experience at a public-facing counter and knowledge of local zoning, permitting, and plan check requirements (e.g., building codes, zoning ordinances, development standards) is highly desirable.

Your Team
The Community Development Department plans, implements, and enforces construction development standards and performance criteria that facilitate the creation and maintenance of a built environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. The department consists of two primary divisions - Planning & Development Services and Building & Safety – with support functions for each provided through the Community Development Assistance Center.

The Community Development Assistance Center (CDAC) acts as a one-stop shop for businesses, developers, and anyone interested in development projects in Irvine. They provide information and resources to help people make informed decisions about building, expanding, or altering structures in the City. The CDAC also facilitates the submittal and processing of planning and permit applications, as well as the processing and issuance of business licenses.

Planning & Development Services oversees current and long-range development planning for the City. The division develops, maintains, and implements the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance policies and standards, including the adopted Traffic Study Guidelines and other planning documents. The division is responsible for reviewing and processing all development applications and permits, reviewing and analyzing all transportation-related issues for development projects, assisting residents, businesses and developers on all land use and transportation-related planning and zoning inquiries, and coordinating regional and interagency planning efforts.

Building & Safety (including the Water Quality and Code Enforcement sections) ensures that development in the City of Irvine is designed, constructed, used, and maintained in accordance with the Irvine Municipal Code, California Building Codes, and federal water quality standards. The division is responsible for reviewing and approving grading and building permit applications and associated construction documents, and for inspecting the permitted construction for conformance with the approved plans. The Code Enforcement section responds to and investigates concerns from the public regarding potential code violations, including unpermitted construction, property maintenance, unpermitted signs, and more.

The Mission of the Employees of the City of Irvine is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. We are one team that exists to serve our community in the continual pursuit of a City that offers an exceptional quality of life.
 
The City of Irvine’s five values of Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity reflect the interests and needs of the community, and the level of service they expect and desire. We are One Irvine through the embrace of a team-oriented approach by living our values every day.

The Process
The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.

Salary : $51,251 - $87,901