Clerical Assistant III

Chatham County Building Safety Clerical Assistant III

Chatham County Building Safety is seeking a Clerical Assistant III to perform responsible administrative and technical work in support of building and zoning operations while serving as the primary public contact for permit processing activities. This position assists residents, contractors, developers, and design professionals in navigating the permitting process while maintaining accurate records in accordance with local and state requirements.

Examples of duties include:

• Accepts, reviews, and processes applications for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and related permits.
• Reviews permit applications and construction documents for completeness and compliance.
• Issues permits upon verification of required approvals.
• Schedules inspections and coordinates with Building Inspectors.
• Maintains accurate electronic and paper records of permits, inspections, and related documentation.
• Provides information to the public regarding permit procedures and inspection processes.
• Responds to inquiries in person, by phone, and electronically in a professional and courteous manner.
• Routes plans and applications to appropriate departments (Planning, Fire, Engineering) for review.
• Tracks permit status and monitors expiration dates.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or GED, and
• At least two (2) years of general clerical experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to type a minimum of 25 words per minute. Clerical testing will be required during the interview process for selected candidates.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in construction, permitting, planning, or a related administrative field.
• ICC Permit Technician Certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year.

Successful candidates will possess these qualifications:

• Knowledge of permitting procedures and public administration practices.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and technical documents.
• Ability to handle challenging interactions professionally.
• Ability to explain technical information in a clear manner.
• Data entry skills and the use of permit management software.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

During emergencies and disasters affecting Chatham County, you may be required to report to work as part of a disaster operations team.

In accordance with the Department of Transportation, Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders and those employed in safety-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing.

Candidates with direct and relevant experience may receive an offer of up to 10% above the minimum salary that is posted, reflecting their exceptional qualifications.

Chatham County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, or military/veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.