Permit Technician I

Salary : $78,180.96 - $94,419.52 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-N33-A
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: 7/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01


Description
Under general supervision, to provide direct customer service by disseminating information concerning permit requirements, codes, ordinances, inspection procedures, compliance and abatement, surveyor maps, properties, easements, street name changes, or annexations; to process land development applications and building permits; to maintain applicable databases; to provide skilled assistance to staff with the coordination of all phases of the permit application and code compliance processes, including permit and complaint intake, application review, plan check, inspection, mapping, and surveying.

Typical Tasks

• Coordinates the permit application process, while working closely with permit applicants; explains ordinances, codes, and departmental policies and procedures regarding plan reviews, permit processing, inspections, code violations, and abating building or housing violations;
  
  
• Assists builders, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, department representatives, and the general public in person, on-line, or on the telephone; assists the public in researching and finding records of their properties; answers general questions regarding property lines, land surveying, and state regulations pertaining to boundary surveys; and processes abandonments and street name change requests;
  
  
• Receives and reviews a variety of permit applications, construction plans, and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy; secures missing information from customers and determines needed level of review of plans and inspections; enters detailed information into computer based systems;
  
  
• Receives maps, corrected maps, and requests for abandonment of easements, street name changes and annexations and reviews them for completeness, accuracy, and conformance;
  
  
• Processes, coordinates and issues various building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire, grading, and land development permits; determines required inspections, creates inspection records, and schedules inspection appointments;
  
  
• Uses fee schedules and calculates fees; handles cash, checks, and other forms of payment; opens and closes a cash register and issues receipts;
  
  
• Receives complaints and researches code and ordinance violations, applicable public records, land use, geologic hazard, flood plains, fire hazard zones, historical or other permit sites; confers with field investigators and other staff; develops and implements abatement plans;
  
  
• Coordinates, logs, and routes plans; facilitates plan check process to ensure permits are issued in a timely manner; tracks the status of permit applications or plan reviews and updates the applicant;
  
  
• Resolves a variety of problems and complaints regarding permit and plan submittals and processing, illegal construction, code and ordinance violations, and inspections;
  
  
• Coordinates and performs activities related to code and ordinance violations and enforcement activities;
  
  
• Organizes and maintains County surveyor maps, records, and related documents;
  
  
• May train other Planning staff;
  
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
  
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks and the attainment of the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Training and Experience Note: The knowledge, skills, and abilities are acquired through possession of a high school diploma or equivalent


AND

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience providing assistance to a staff in the building trades or related trade or service to the public in the area of permit processing, plan checking, mapping, surveying, building inspection, or land development.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit is required for some positions.

Knowledge of:

• Constructions types, plans, specifications, and legal aspects of code enforcement;
  
  
• Maps, abandonment of easements, street name change and annexation requests; property lines, land surveying, and state regulations pertaining to boundary surveys;
  
  
• Building trades, codes, ordinances, and regulations;
  
  
• Regulatory and discretionary permit application processes;
  
  
• Mathematical concepts to calculate fees;
  
  
• Building and planning office procedures and operations;
  
  
• Operation of standard office software and equipment;
  
  
• Public relations practices.

Ability to:

• Understand general information on construction plans and documents submitted with permit applications;
  
  
• Understand and effectively explain regulations, procedures, and ordinances to the public;
  
  
• Research property records; organize and maintain surveyor maps, records, and documents;
  
  
• Prioritize tasks and organize workload in order to provide efficient and effective customer service;
  
  
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with builders, contractors, developers, department representatives, the general public and staff;
  
  
• Maintain records, compile and tabulate data;
  
  
• Operate a variety of office software and equipment;
  
  
• Perform basic mathematical calculations;
  
  
• Use computers to manage data, documents, and workflow;
  
  
• Train technical and clerical staff.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03


How many years of experience do you have providing assistance to staff in the building trades or related trade, or service to the public in the area of permit processing, plan checking, mapping, surveying, building inspection, or land development?

• No experience
• Less than three years of experience
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

04


Select the areas you have experience providing assistance to staff in the building trades or related trade, or service to the public:

• Permit Processing
• Plan Checking
• Mapping
• Surveying
• Building Inspection
• Land Development
• None of the above

05


Describe your experience providing assistance to staff or service to the public in the areas selected above.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
06


Describe your experience providing customer service to the general public.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
07


Indicate any of the areas in which you have permitting experience.

• Building Permits and Inspections
• Encroachment Permits
• Food Program Permits
• Hazardous Materials permits
• Planning Permits
• Septic System Permits
• None of the above

08


Describe your experience in the permitting areas selected above.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
09


Describe your experience reading and interpreting blueprints and/or development plans.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
10


Do you possess the International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician Certificate? Please attach your proof of completion if you indicated "Yes".

• Yes
• No

11


How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

12


If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question