Principal Permit Specialist - Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department

Principal Permit Specialist

The City of San Jose's Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement serves to ensure the orderly and safe development of private properties, compliance with all applicable building, zoning, and quality of life ordinances and regulations, and to promote healthy and safe community standards. This is accomplished by departmental staff in service to customers by:

• Assisting and guiding land use and development to promote long-term goals and objectives that render safe, beneficial, and more sustainable communities
• Providing orderly administration and compliance with building codes, as mandated by the various levels of government, to ensure the construction of buildings, homes, and structures meet intended life safety and structural requirements
• Investigating and resolving citizen complaints of municipal code violations on private property in order to promote, maintain, and improve quality of life issues that better allow for safe and harmonious conditions in all neighborhoods.

The Department is seeking applicants who are committed to understanding, executing, and improving customer experience to best achieve the above goals and objectives. This includes providing excellent service and guidance to residents, property and business owners, developers, and other stakeholders throughout the planning, building, and code enforcement processes. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as the department values building positive relationships and fostering collaboration with other departments, agencies, and the community. Additionally, applicants who possess a strong knowledge of planning principles, building codes, and/or regulatory requirements will be highly valued, as they will play a key role in ensuring compliance and promoting healthy, safe, and sustainable development practices.

The Building Division is currently seeking applicants for the Principal Permit Specialist classification within the Building Permit Center.

The Building Division is divided into the following four sections:

• Permit Center: Plan intake and routing to plan review and Development Services Partners, over-the-counter permit processing, permit issuance, addressing, assistance desk, front-line customer service, public information, and ADU Ally.
• Plan Review: Review of private development project plans and calculations for compliance with the California Building Codes and state laws, coordination with Development Services partners, expedited review, and coordinated review.
• Inspection: Inspection of active private construction projects for compliance with the approved plans and adopted building codes and state laws.
• Support Services: Development Services call center, document imaging, records requests, and general support for the building division.

The Department's Building Division ensures compliance with all the above-mentioned obligations by annually reviewing, analyzing, conducting, researching, processing, issuing, inspecting, and providing:

• 30,000 building permits
• 6,000 plan reviews
• 100,000 inspections
• 35,000 customers assisted
• 65,000 calls answered

The Building Division is currently recruiting a Principal Permit Specialist in the Development Services Permit Center.

The total salary range for this classification is: $94,130.40 - $114,441.60 annually. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.

The Principal Permit Specialist is responsible for supervising a unit of technical and clerical staff in performing a variety of development reviews, permit issuance, and counter functions related to development review processes and permit issuance. Duties may include but are not limited to: supervision, training, preparation of training materials and programs, monitoring of and distribution of workloads, creating and updating customer handouts and information; work on complex special projects as assigned.

Assigned duties require the exercise of judgment to determine development approval requirements, fee analysis, fee assessment and refund decisions sometimes without clear precedents and often with concern for the consequences of the action. This class has full supervisory responsibility over Permit Specialist/Sr. Permit Specialist and other clerical Permit Center staff.

Duties of the position will include, but are not limited to:

• Supervises day-to-day operation of Permit Specialists and Senior Permit Specialists
• Prioritizes work assignment, monitor workload and customer wait times and redirect staff as needed on daily basis
• Conduct team performance evaluations, promotion, termination and disciplinary
• Ensure the staff are trained and prepares / improves training materials and programs
• Creating and updating customer handouts and information material for both Public and department
• Prescreen the Building Application prior to assignment for completeness of intake and issuance Processing
• Building Application Fees Estimate, Processing and Audits
• Work on complex special projects as assigned.
• Monitor and resolve internal and external complaints
• Assist or independently complete special projects related to Development Service Building Division
• Perform other duties of similar level.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience: 4 years of responsible experience in development review, permit issuance and related customer service functions in a public agency, one of which must be at the Senior Permit Specialist level.

Licenses or Certificates: Possession of a valid State of California's Driver License.

Physical Requirement: These positions typically require the employee to be able to lift and move plans that can weigh up to 25 pounds, including storing them in a space that requires reaching into a cabinet with both high and low storage areas. Permit Specialists/Senior Permit Specialists may also sit and use a computer for long periods of time, and the workspace may be restricted and/or can be very noisy.

Form 700 Requirement This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an "Assuming Office Form 700" with the City Clerk's Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Competencies: The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

- demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

- effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

- demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

- exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

- demonstrates a positive attitude and flexibility along with the ability to develop effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

- sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

- identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions in the online application process:

• Describe your experience in development review, permit issuance, and related customer service functions in a public agency, including at least one year at the Senior Permit Specialist level or equivalent. Include your job title(s), specific responsibilities, and employment dates.
• Describe a time when you were supervising a team facing significant challenges such as high customer volume, staff shortages, or a complex project. What specific steps did you take to manage your team, delegate work, and maintain service quality? What was the outcome?
• Describe a situation where a customer was