Permit Technician

Position Summary

This classification provides information to the public on Short Term Rental permits, building, land use, and sanitation requirements, assists the public in completing permit and license applications, and issues permit and license documents.

Qualifications

The individual in this role is expected to possess and exhibit the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge

• Vacation rental or real estate industry, land use planning and building terminology and procedures.
• Permit application requirements, including supporting documentation requirements.
• Basic bookkeeping practices and principles.
• General construction and trade practices to assist with permit processes and inquiries.

Skills

• Keyboarding and use of word processing software.
• Use of spreadsheet software.
• Use of electronic databases, filing systems, and tracking systems.
• Maintaining clear and professional communication with the public and coworkers.
• Organizing, multitasking, and prioritizing tasks in a busy work environment.
• Researching and finding answers to complex or uncommon questions.

Abilities

• Understanding and interpreting deeds and legal property descriptions.
• Interpreting maps and aerial photographs.
• Conducting record searches.
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing to obtain necessary information for the permit process to proceed and to answer questions of limited technical complexity.
• Making independent decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Remaining calm and using good judgment during confrontational or high-pressure situations.
• Courteously meeting and dealing with a variety of employees, representatives of title companies, contractors, consultants, vendors, and the public.
• Managing time efficiently and remaining productive under tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Other: one year of education above the high school level.
• Equivalent experience may be substituted for educational requirement. Amount of additional experience acceptable: One (1) year.

At the time of appointment, must possess a valid Oregon driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Other Qualifications

• Must pass a pre-employment criminal history background investigation.

Essential Duties

Duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following examples.

• Assist the public in completing permit applications for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or septic work, residential construction, conditional use, variances, exceptions, manufactured dwellings, Short-Term Rental License applications, Short-Term Rental License renewals, etc. Ensure that necessary supporting documents are supplied so that a decision can be rendered by the Building Official, Planning Director, Short-Term Rental Administrator, or the Environmental Program Manager. Assure signatures are those of legal owners.
• Determine appropriate application fees; receive payments, and record receipts. Maintain department financial records, including permit and license fees, grants, and purchase of supplies.
• After approval decision is received from staff, issue permit and license documentation to applicant.
• Answer telephone and walk-in inquiries where facts are readily verifiable and require limited searches of references, files, historical material, maps, aerial photos, etc. Answers explain or identify designated flood zones, designated geographical hazards, setback requirements, road name changes, and legal ownership changes.
• Maintain statutory timelines for processing planning and short-term rental license applications. Process decisions within required deadlines based on detailed review of reports, property files, and appropriate course of action.
• Schedule all inspections, track their progress, verify special inspections/zoning requirements, and invoice for additional inspections as necessary.
• Manage and organize overflowing file drawers, creating new project files as necessary.
• Maintain professional demeanor and clear communication when assisting customers via phone, email, in person, or virtual meetings.

Performs additional duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information

Supervision is not a function assigned to this role.

• Works under close supervision, performing routine tasks independently based on past experience. Deviations from established practices are referred to the supervisor for guidance.

Mental effort: Usually, normal concentration and deadlines with occasional periods of sustained deadline pressure.

• Physical effort: Minimal: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as papers, laptop bag, or small parts; or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Work environment: Everyday Risks/Discomforts: require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

Selection Process: Following the closing date of this recruitment, if you are selected as a candidate for an interview, we will contact you via email to arrange a date and time. We want to ensure that we hire the best possible staff for our county team because we believe that people are our most valuable asset!