Permit Technician I-II

Permit Technician

This position will be filled at the Permit Technician I or II level. The level and salary offered will be dependent upon education and experience. The hiring salary for Permit Technician I is $52,663.45. The hiring salary for Permit Technician II is $59,172.65. Telework eligibility is determined by county policy and the approval of the hiring department.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Permit Technician to perform technical and administrative permit work for the County's Planning and Growth Management Department. Technician will review permit applications for completeness and processes permit through completion.

Essential Job Functions

• Processes permit applications by accepting the application, checking for accuracy and completeness; ensures compliance with architectural standards and guidelines; routing to appropriate staff/agencies for review; monitoring application progress; generating comment letters; issuing permit; assigning required inspections; and preparing the Certificate of Use and Occupancy.
• Verifies, enters, and calculates permit and inspection fees.
• Reviews comment letters to ensure comments can be understood by the applicant and that various reviewers do not have conflicting comments.
• Reviews permit conditions provided by reviewers to ensure the appropriate conditions are selected and populate to the issued permit correctly.
• Participates in Pre-Submittal Conferences and Pre-Permit Meetings as needed.
• Maintains accurate and timely records of the permit process; inputs, maintains, and compiles a variety of data on permitting activity. Prepares, maintains, and stores records, files and logs related to permit issuance.
• Verifies that projects have obtained all necessary approvals before issuing permits.
• Researches case histories, property ownership records, and other historical records.
• Provides information and assistance to the public on permit processes and procedures both in person and over the phone. Provides guidance in completing various permit applications and forms, making sure applicants understand the permitting process and the necessary information and attachments required to submit a complete and accurate permit application.
• Responds to inquiries from architects, contractors, builders, and the public; explains and interprets requirements and restrictions. Directs applicants to appropriate agencies/reviewers, as necessary.
• Coordinates with Code Compliance Inspectors and Inspection Technicians on permits associated with violations to ensure the applicant is obtaining the needed permits to resolve the violation.
• Assists with locating permit records and providing documentation in response to Public Information Act requests.
• Provides recommendations for improvements to the Permits website and the Permit Portal to facilitate a better customer experience.
• Serves as liaison between customers and department staff and processes.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience: Associates degree preferred. Two (2) years of permit office experience preferred or two years of administrative related work will be acceptable

Licenses or Certifications: Permit Technician I: None. Permit Technician II: International Code Council Permit Technician Certificate.

Special Requirements/Qualifications: Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

• Knowledge of modern office procedures and practices including the operation of common office appliances such as desktop computers.
• Knowledge of permit review procedures.
• Knowledge of building codes, state permitting, land use, and zoning regulations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to exercise initiative, make sound independent decisions, and deal with non-routine matters.
• Ability to follow established policies, procedures, and customer service standards.
• Ability to interpret plats, site plans and building construction plans.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to use architects and engineers scale.
• Ability to perform area calculations and calculate and/or determine permit application and review fees.
• Ability to provide excellent customer services and assist customers through difficult processes.
• Ability to perform permit reviews effectively.
• Ability to maintain files and records.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage a wide range of duties in a timely and effective manner, including timely permit processing and routing during periods of frequent interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.

Additional Information

Physical Demands: The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity, and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; life and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

Work Environment: Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division: Planning and Growth Management/Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services

Pay Grade: 110-112

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports to: Permits Office Supervisor

Supervises: None