Technician I - Building & Safety

Closing Date: Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, 9:00 PM [PST]

Position: Technician I- Building and Safety

Department: Community Development

Annual Salary:  $58,281.60 - $74,401.56

Non-Exempt- overtime eligible

Benefits-eligible & 401(a) payment equals 5% of base salary.

Job Summary:

Under direct supervision, this position performs a variety of administrative and technical duties for the Building and Safety Division within the Community Development Department. Primary responsibilities include providing technical support to the division, front counter assistance, and email and phone support, as well as working with developers and contractors to issue permits, schedule inspections, and facilitate development activities.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides comprehensive responses to requests and inquiries while maintaining a positive, professional approach to all customers, staff, and other parties; resolves issues or refers customers to more senior staff or supervisors.
• Provides verbal and written information and education to the public about City building permit processes and procedures to ensure a thorough understanding.
• Accepts and processes building permit applications and related documents from the public; reviews applications and supporting documents for accuracy and completeness and determines the correct permit type needed; and issues all types of building permits received.
• Assists the public with completing forms and documents related to the building permit process; provides technical assistance via phone calls and counter contact regarding the application process and City development codes; and processes information related to administrative and construction codes.
• Promotes a positive, supportive work environment and fosters a culture of teamwork and communication while ensuring workplace safety.
• Coordinates the entire permit process of projects including the intake, review, processing, and issuance of building permits.
• Manages public records pertaining to all permit types; prepares, maintains, organizes, and updates department files and records; and searches and compiles information.
• Calculates fees for building permit applications. Provides cashier responsibilities for building permits.
• Accurately enters data into Acela and manages records on the system.
• Monitors the permit review process by routing applications and plans; tracks applications through the entire approval process; and ensures timely processing of application requests.
• Coordinates with inspectors, plans examiners, and planners, to determine if a permit is ready for final building inspection and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive.  An employee may also perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred
• One (1) year of related work-related experience

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information.
• Learning Agility – Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work.
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Safety Focus – Showing Vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Customer Focus – Attending to the Needs and expectations of customers.
• Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information.
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Valuing Diversity – Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace.
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness.

Guiding Principles

1. Put people first.
2. Be visionary.
3. Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
4. Be Fiscally Responsible.
5. Be Creative.
6. Always Improving.
7. Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, position items up to 50 lbs. (moderate)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (moderate)
• Operate Equipment (infrequent)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Disaster Service Worker:

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109, all public employees are declared disaster service workers subject to disaster service activities as may be assigned to them in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disaster.

Reasonable accommodations will be made, when possible, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.

The City of Lancaster is an Equal Opportunity Employer