What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permit Technician position at City of Issaquah?
Join our dynamic Community Planning & Development team, as a Permit Technician, where you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring seamless regulatory compliance. This position performs technical permit in-take and processing in support of the City’s Building, Engineering, and Land Use Divisions. Positions in this class accept, review, route, and issue permit applications for large commercial projects as well as more routine projects. This position performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks to expedite the processing and issuance of complex and routine permits. Duties include responding to inquiries about the permit application process, applicable codes, and inspection requirements. Incumbents utilize the permit application and tracking database, review applications for accuracy and completeness, determine permit fees, route plans for approval, and monitor and coordinate the processing and issuing of the City’s building, engineering, and land use permits in compliance with City policy and procedure. This position has continual contact with the public and interdepartmental partners and works under pressure to meet deadlines.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
- Direct supervision is provided by the Building Official.
TELEWORK CONSIDERATIONS
The incumbent in this position will be expected to complete a telework agreement and work in a hybrid capacity (partial telework, partial in office). The incumbent must be available to attend in person meetings as needed to fulfill the duties of this position.
BENEFITS:
On top of a competitive salary and hybrid work environment, the City offers the following:
- Excellent low- and high-deductible medical plan options, free for you and low cost to add your whole family.
- Employer HSA contributions (with high-deductible medical plan): $3350 individual/$6650 family.
- 100% employer paid dental and vision.
- Generous vacation and sick time, plus 14 paid holidays.
- Participation in the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS) with employer contribution.
- $200/month match into a 457b deferred compensation account.
- And more!
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our City operations.
- Reviews and routes permit applications and issues permits for the full range of permits, including street use, clearing and grading, building, plumbing, mechanical, signs, fire, land use, and special events.
- Assists the public in completing permit applications.
- Provides answers to technical questions from permit applicants and the general public; refers to other City staff as necessary.
- Acts as primary point of contact for permit applicants, including answering questions about the status of permit applications, communicating with City personnel from other divisions or departments regarding the status of permits, and contacting the applicant when permits are ready for issuance.
- Prepares permits for issuance, stamps plans, reviews fees, and adds fees.
- Schedules pre-construction meetings for building, site work, and other permits as necessary.
- Interprets appropriate City policies and procedures, zoning ordinances, non-technical building codes, and other rules, regulations, and laws.
- Coordinates with other agencies regarding permits in their jurisdictions (e.g. coordinates with water districts regarding permits in their jurisdiction).
- Calculates and collects permit fees; provides a statement of charges and receipt to permit applicants and the Finance Department.
- Reviews permit application packets for completeness.
- Monitors progress of permits; enters data into permit tracking software.
- Develops and distributes informational material for permit applicants.
- Performs minor plan review on small, over-the-counter permits.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Two years of related experience as a permit technician or two years of responsible related experience in bookkeeping or general office work.
- International Code Council Permit Technician certification or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
- Or any combination of training and experience that would provide the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office setting requiring sitting for long periods of time and occasionally standing at a counter. Work requires ability to talk, hear, and see, including close vision. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 lbs. Work is performed in an environment with moderate noise.
Knowledge of:
- City codes and ordinances.
- City permit processes, procedures, and requirements.
- Standard office practices and procedures, including
- Record keeping systems and procedures.
- Business English and arithmetic.
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
- Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
Ability to:
- Analyze, interpret, and accurately review construction, land use, and improvement applications and submittals.
- Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Route permit applications to the appropriate department or division based on technical details in the application.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, agencies, and the general public.
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication and provide positive customer service to diverse individuals, using tact, patience, empathy, and courtesy to accomplish common goals.
- Work under pressure and/or with continual interruptions, and to deal with a variety of deadlines of both an immediate and flexible nature.
- Complete work according to schedules and deadlines.
- Organize and maintain records.
- Answer inquiries by phone, in person, or by email.
- Apply sound judgment in making decisions independently in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Operate a variety of office equipment, including a personal computer.
Salary : $70,926 - $93,334
