Permit Specialist - Community Development

Salary: $69,151.56 - $80,051.64 Annually
Location : Wenatchee, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time (Non-Exempt)
Job Number: 202200159
Department: Community Development
Division: Admin
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Purpose
Initial Review Date: 5:00 P.M., Monday, June 29, 2026. To outline essential job duties, qualification requirements and working conditions for the position of Permit Specialist.

Essential Job Duties

• Performs technical and administrative duties in support of the planning and building/fire divisions.
• Provides excellent internal and external customer service by providing assistance throughout the development permit application process by answering basic inquiries and asking questions to discern project goals & requirements. Refers complex inquiries and issues to appropriate personnel.
• Assists customers in creating and accessing account(s) in the City of Wenatchee Public Portal.
• Serves as front counter walk-in reception. Answers telephones. Maintains positive relations with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, property owners and the general public.
• Receives applications and performs simple preliminary plan review to ensure applications are complete. Routes applications, plans and supporting documents to appropriate personnel.
• Accurately enters data into the permitting & plan review software system. Effectively tracks and reports on up-to-date information regarding status of permits throughout the approval process.
• Creates, updates, files and maintains all records relating to permit files and inspections. Establishes and maintains an archive program for division records.
• Schedules inspections, assists in preparation, provides status updates to customers and follows up with inspectors to ensure documentation completion. Ensures thorough file maintenance.
• Processes approved permits, calculates fees, contacts customers for document pick up and collects fees. Prepares occupancy certificates.
• Prepares brochures and forms for public information.
• Compiles information and reports to assist with annual budget preparation.
• Prepares, compiles and disseminates correspondence, reports or other documents.
• Maintains current desk procedures and tasks to explain position responsibilities.
• Creates, updates and implements process improvement procedures, tasks, workflows and systems.

Other job functions:

• Assists with public records request related to all documents maintained at the Public Services Center, in coordination with the City Public Records Officer.
• Provides basic utility and engineering permit information and directs non-basic questions to Public Works.
• Provides notary services as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

• Associates degree. Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• Two (2) years of related office environment experience dealing with the public regarding building trades or planning codes and land use permitting. Municipal or county planning or engineering division experience in a permitting environment or a related field such as building construction administration preferred.
• Bilingual, English and Spanish, language abilities desired.
• Must become a certified WA Notary Public within six (6) months of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Must obtain an ICC Permit Technician certification within one (1) year of hire and maintain throughout employment.

Requires the knowledge of:

• The field of assignment sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibility as illustrated by example in this job description.
• Principals, procedures and practices of excellent customer service and recordkeeping.
• Basic building trades and planning codes.
• Time management; Mathematics; English composition and grammar.
• Safety and security hazards, precautions, standards, policies and procedures.
• Computer operation and software including Microsoft Office suite of products and databases including GIS, Bluebeam, and SmartGov or comparable permitting software preferred.
• Building plans & specifications, planning review processes, and related construction documents and maps preferred.

Requires the ability to:

• Consistently represent the City by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities. Foster a positive and productive work environment.
• Provide excellent internal and external customer service and maintain positive public relations.
• Be attentive to detail, maintain a high degree of accuracy, and communicate effectively in various digital formats.
• Ensure confidentiality as required and sensitive information is handled appropriately.
• Use tact, discretion, respect, persuasion, diplomacy and courtesy to gain cooperation of others and establish and maintain effective teams and professional relationships and rapport with the public, elected officials, management, employees and representatives of other entities.
• Plan, organize, prioritize and coordinate work assignments. Work effectively in a multi-task environment with deadlines and constantly shifting priorities. Take appropriate initiative.
• Apply sound judgment and problem-solving skills to make reasoned, timely, accurate and consistent decisions.
• Listen attentively and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed, including preparing reports, materials and correspondence.
• Maintain meticulous records and databases, ensuring all systems and files are accurate, organized, and easily retrievable.
• Understand, explain and apply regulatory requirements, terminology, policies and procedures.
• Develop ways to identify, improve and promote efficient systems and processes.
• Maintain current knowledge and adapt to new technologies, keeping technical skills up to date.
• Work independently and cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Stay current with digital communications and emerging office technologies; proficiently utilize the Microsoft Office Suite and specialized municipal software.

Working Conditions

• Works in an office or meeting room setting.
• May attend meetings or performs duties outside of normal office hours.
• Possibility of exposure to potentially hostile individuals.

Requires the ability to:

• Use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Sit or stand for long periods. Occasionally bend, squat, reach, kneel, push, pull or twist at waist.
• May occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.

The statements contained herein reflect general details necessary to describe principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skills typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas, to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or to balance workloads.

Management reserves the sole right to add, modify or exclude any duties at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description, nor by completion of any job requirements by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment.

At its sole discretion, the City of Wenatchee may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

• Vacation leave will be earned at a rate of 10-hours per month and will be available for use upon successful completion of the initial review period.
• Sick leave will be earned at a rate of 8-hours per month.
• Annual Paid Holidays (1st year prorate): Eleven 8-hour designated holidays (11th holiday for AFSCME positions under MOU through 2025) + one 8-hour floating holiday.
• Medical/Dental/Vision plans. We have two health plans to choose from: 1) High Deductible Health Plan (the City pays 100% of the employee premium); or 2) $250 deductible plan (the City pays 90% of the employee premium). The High Deductible Plan includes a City contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) in the amount of $125/month for the employee or $250/month for the employee with dependents. The City pays 75% of dependent premiums under either plan.
• Membership in the WA State Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
• Optional participation in a Section 457 Deferred Comp Plan with a City match up to 2% of base pay.
• $25,000 basic life/$25,000 AD&D insurance policy with premiums paid by the City on the employee's behalf.

01


Do you have an Associate's degree?

• Yes
• No

02


Concentration/Field of study
03


Do you have two (2) years of related permit environment experience in a municipal or county planning or engineering department or a related field such as building construction administration?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have knowledge and experience working with permitting software?

• Yes
• No

05


If you do not have the education, experience or knowledge specified in Questions #1-4 above, list the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that you believe provides you with the required skills, knowledge and abilities for this position.
06


Do you have a Bachelor's degree?

• Yes
• No

07


Concentration/Field
08


Do you have knowledge and experience working specifically with SmartGov software?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have Bilingual, English and Spanish, language abilities to effectively communicate in both languages orally and in writing (desired, not required)?

• Yes
• No

10


What interests you most about being the Permit Specialist - Community Development for the City of Wenatchee?
11


Summarize your experience specifically in a municipal or county planning or engineering division permitting environment or related field such as building construction administration.
12


Describe your computer experience. Please list the programs/software systems you have used, what you use each program for and your level of proficiency with each program.
Required Question