Plan Review Technician - (Regulation Support Technician II) - Inspections, Licenses, and Permits

Job Title

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

Howard County: Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community. Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking. What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY: Performs sub-professional technical office work providing specialized services essential to the successful operation of the licenses and permits function. Work involves the more difficult aspects of the permit process and is distinguished from the next lower class by the specialized knowledges, skills, and abilities required such as: ability to read plans, reviewing permits for technical accuracy, commercial fee determinations, and limited signature authority. Starting salary hiring range: $24.59 - $26.89 $51,139 - $55,938 Class description: Performs intermediate technical level licensing, inspections, and regulation support work under general supervision from a technical superior. Work includes performing receipt, specialized review services, processing, and distribution of licenses and permits essential to the successful operation of the licenses and permits division.; and the contracted residential waste hauler program. Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Permit and License Application Processing

• Receives permit and license applications over the counter, by mail, and through the electronic permitting portal for building, plumbing, grading, HVACR, electrical, signs, rental housing licensing, use and occupancy certificates, and other permits and licenses.
• Reviews applications and supporting documentation for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established guidelines and Howard County Code requirements.
• Accepts or rejects applications based on established requirements and identifies deficiencies requiring correction.
• Processes accepted applications by dating, logging, filing, stamping, coding, photocopying, and entering information into electronic systems.
• Tracks applications throughout the review process and provides applicants with status updates.
• May exercise final approval and sign-off authority for designated applications.

Technical Review and Code Compliance

• Reviews site plans, detailed construction drawings, specifications, inspection records, grading certificates, and other technical submittals.
• Interprets complex permitting, licensing, filing, and submittal requirements and applies them during application review.
• Verifies that requirements for certificates of use and occupancy have been satisfied, including required inspection records and grading certifications.
• Evaluates information and documentation to determine applicant qualification for applicable licenses or permits.
• Identifies application deficiencies and explains required corrections or additional documentation.

Customer Service and Public Assistance

• Provides information and assistance to the public at the Licenses and Permits Front Counter, by telephone, and through email.
• Explains the permitting, licensing, filing, application, and procedural requirements to applicants, contractors, property owners, and other customers.
• Answers difficult or complex inquiries and refers matters requiring supervisory interpretation or resolution to the appropriate supervisor.
• Determines appropriate applications and forms for customers and assists them in completing and submitting required documentation.
• Issues applications, permits, licenses, forms, and other documents to the public in person, by mail, and electronically.
• Coordinates and provides training and assistance to customers regarding online registration and electronic application submittals.

Financial and Surety Processing

• Collects prescribed fees for permits and licenses and prepares cash receipts for payments received.
• Reviews permit and license fee calculations and prepares invoices for payment.

Records Management and Data Administration

• Maintains records and documentation related to building, fire, grading, plumbing, HVACR, animal, rental housing, and other permit and license applications.
• Maintains application files and recording procedures in accordance with established requirements.
• Enters, stores, retrieves, and updates information using personal computers, word processing applications, electronic permitting systems, and other data management systems.
• Gathers, compiles, and summarizes information and prepares reports regarding permitting and licensing activities.
• Types and prepares a variety of forms, correspondence, reports, and routine administrative materials.
• Prepares and maintains records, documentation, and other materials associated with board activities.

Minimum Required Education/Experience

High School Diploma or GED and three (3) years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to apply word processing software and personal computer operation skills to assigned work.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, (Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Considerable experience in a customer service environment is essential as well as knowledge of construction terminology.
• Class C Maryland Driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel, particularly computer keyboards. The employee may stand for lengthy periods of time at the Front Counter. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is typical of a busy office work environment.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

Class C Maryland Driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residence.

Additional Information

To apply: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race