Business Support Specialist

Business Support Specialist

Join our team as a Business Support Specialist. The Business Support Specialist acts as a liaison between Pasco County and the local business community. This role involves providing expert guidance on permitting questions as well as general guidance on questions relating to opening a business in Pasco County. This role is responsible for fostering strong relationships with local businesses, streamlining communication, and ensuring efficient navigation through the permitting system using Accela. The Business Support Specialist will collaborate closely with internal departments to support economic development and ensure regulatory compliance. This role involves technical work in office and out in the field.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists new and prospective small business owners in Pasco County by answering questions and offering support throughout the startup process, including permitting, licensing, and connecting them with relevant resources.
• Presents and prepares presentations to community and business organizations on how to do business in Pasco to include land use, change of use, new construction permitting, and alterations; will work closely with the planning department.
• Meets with Developers, Contractors, Office of Economic Growth, and other county departments.
• Utilizes Accela software to manage, track, and support permit applications and workflows.
• Proactively network with local businesses to understand needs and promote Pasco County services.
• Coordinates with Planning, Building, Engineering, and other departments to resolve permitting issues and ensure timely approvals.
• Develops and maintains informational materials and resources to assist applicants.
• Attends horizontal and vertical roundtable meetings as well as TBBA meetings as needed.
• Identifies and assesses improvement opportunities.
• Confers with supervisors, inspectors, contractors, the general public and others regarding code interpretations, and related issues
• Responsible for explaining departmental procedures to customers in order to facilitate permit issuance; directs customers to appropriate divisions for required services.
• Acts as a Liaison between client and Pasco County Government.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 45 pounds and also push or pull heavy objects by using hand trucks, carts or provided devises.
• Performs all related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and intense understanding of the permitting process from start to finish.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents with the ability to prepare and interpret flowcharts, schedules and step-by-step action plans.
• Knowledge of local government and regulatory processes.
• Ability to coordinate among County staff, contractors, partners, and business owners.
• Ability to review building permit applications, documents and plan submittals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to building and maintain professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to understand established building codes as they apply to our projects.
• Ability to maintain records and to prepare and submit reports.

Minimum Requirements:

PHYSICAL SKILLS: Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field and (2) years of direct experience in permitting environment, or construction experience in a governmental or regulatory agency OR an Associate degree and four (4) years of direct experience OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and six (6) years or direct experience. One (1) year of customer service with frequent public contact. Proficient in Accela and Microsoft Suite. LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver's license. ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law. EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

Pasco County was voted one of the nation's top workplaces for 2021.