Permit Technician

Job Title

Position Overview

Under general supervision, performs general and specialized tasks related to providing excellent customer service by providing customer support over the phone, at the counter or virtually; reviews permit applications and supporting documents for proper form, sufficiency of information, and compliance with City requirements and regulations; issues permits as authorized; receives, logs and distributes building plans for plan checking; schedules inspections; and performs related duties as assigned.

Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receives and reviews building permit applications, plans and associated documents from customers; assesses scope of project and relevant permit requirements; provides information to customers regarding necessary permits and general code compliance of proposed projects and permit process updates; answers a variety of routine to moderately complex questions; calculates and verifies valuations and fees; accepts payments; issues permits as authorized.
• Routes plans to various departments for plan review; tracks and monitors plan review processes for timeliness; finalizes plan review for permit issuance; enters data and plans into a variety of tracking systems and ensures the physical location of plans are tracked.
• Maintains records and prepares reports as required; prepares documents for electronic imaging.
• Schedules inspection requests and follow-ups and prepares field files for daily inspection for building inspections.
• Prepares Certificates of Occupancy as required.
• Researches a variety of data using internal and external databases in order to assist customers and staff in permit processing.
• Provides research for the general public and other departments regarding record requests.
• Provides assistance and support to the Department on various planning/building/code enforcement projects. Compiles zoning and planning related data as directed by the supervisor, which may include the preparation of graphics and mapped data.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Employment Standards

Any combination of education, training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Experience:

A high school diploma or GED. Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning. Public Administration, Architecture, Geography or a related filed is highly desirable. One (1) year of experience of public counter, urban planning, customer service, or clerical related work. Previous work experience in providing public counter assistance in a public agency is highly desirable.

Knowledge of:

Office methods, practices and procedures, including business correspondence, filing and customer service dynamics; construction and building permitting processes; federal, state and county reporting requirements and outside agency reviews that are required based on project scope; activities of a building division involving a variety of City and outside agency departments; basic construction principles and terminology; customer service practice and telephone etiquette; City ordinances, codes, procedures and practices regarding area of responsibility; various computer systems protocols and administrative rules regarding access, use and dissemination of data contained in City computers, use and operation of computers; databases and standard business software; and safety policies and safe work practices applicable to work

Skill in:

Operating office equipment such as computers and application software including Microsoft, permit processing platforms, facilitating multiple concurrent projects; reviewing building permit application submittals for completeness upon intake and issuance, assessing and invoicing fees, coordinating plan review with multiple departments and outside consultants, notifying applicants of corrections/approval, creating and issuance permits.

Ability to:

Work on several tasks simultaneously. Plan and organize workload to meet deadlines. Follow oral and written directions. Quickly, efficiently and calmly handle a significant volume of customers' interactions by telephone, in person or virtually via the online permitting system; Learn, understand and apply basic legal requirements, codes and procedures applicable to the preparation, filing and distribution of a wide variety of building permit plans, records and documents; Interpreting, applying and explaining laws, ordinances, regulations and/or policies and procedures, proofread and identify errors and missing information in documents and take appropriate action; prepare clear and accurate reports, documents, data entries, files. Read and understand architectural and engineering drawings. Communicate effectively in a clear, concise and friendly manner, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and other staff. Work independently or in a team environment. Review information and reach sound conclusions in accordance to Federal, State or City established regulations, policies and procedures.

Additional Information

Physical Demands:

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work in an open office environment, and direct contact with the public. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee is regularly required to sit at a desk for long periods of time; to stand at the counter for long periods of time; talk or listen, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment, surrounding desk; walk, bend and squat to perform file searches; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

Employee spends 95% working in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job indoors, the work environment is generally in a temperature-controlled office. Noise levels in the work environment is usually moderate.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician Certification is desired.

Selection Procedure

The final filing date for this recruitment is Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 @ 11:59 pm PDT. The City reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice. Individuals determined to be qualified and best aligned to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.

To be considered, please submit an online application, including a cover letter, resume, and proof of education (if qualifying with a degree) in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents may be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration. Applications will be reviewed in depth and breadth of experience and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to undergo a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of South Pasadena is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of South Pasadena intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io. The City of South Pasadena is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work.

Fair Chance Act

The City of South Pasadena will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of South Pasadena has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report (for non-public-safety backgrounds).

About the City

The City of South Pasadena (population 26,047) is a charming community located only eight miles from downtown Los Angeles on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. South Pasadena is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, stunning homes, unique small businesses, top-quality schools and a strong commitment to community. South Pasadena is also a full-service city with its own fire, police and water departments.

Occupying 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides, South Pasadena'