Permit Specialist

About the Department

 An employee in this class performs technical administrative work in the processing and issuance of land use, zoning, building, fire, and environmental health permits. Work includes greeting customers in person or over the telephone and responding to customer service inquiries regarding planning, inspections, and permitting processes; accepting and reviewing permit applications for completion and required documentation; calculating fees and collecting payments for permit applications and plan review; processing and scanning applications for permits; data entry and routing of plans, permits and inspection requests; issuing refunds; researching properties utilizing GIS; issuing the final permit document; preparing the daily deposit; and scanning and maintaining related files and documents. The work involves application of knowledge to verify and determine if permit applications meet specified requirements; significant public contact requiring tact, courtesy, and firmness; and the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical individuals.  Starting Salary is $41,377 or DOQ

Position Duties

Processes a variety of permit needs, such as land use applications, plan review, permit applications, construction permits, septic and well applications, and food and fire permits.

Answers public inquiries related to applications, permits, processing, and inspections by telephone or in person; responds to questions and explains policies and procedures on the inspections and permitting process requirements; assists customers with the preparation of applications.

Accepts and reviews permit applications and plans for completeness prior to acceptance of application; verifies approvals and appropriate signatures; enters permit information electronically; scans and maintains related documents.

Calculates and collects applicable fees for permit applications, commercial plan review, and zoning fees; processes cash, check, and credit card payments; provides receipts and compiles transaction reports; issues refunds; balances cash drawer and prepares daily bank deposit.

Uploads septic and well applications and assigns to the designated Environmental Health Specialist for processing and approval.

Contacts customers upon application approval; issues permits; calls and emails customers for payments and approval notification; prepares any associated correspondence.

Accepts and commercial plan review; creates an electronic project file; routes plans to municipalities and county building departments; notifies customers of approved plans.

Processes Town zoning permits applications; receives plats and plans; routes plans for departmental approvals; utilizes GIS to look up property information; schedules zoning inspections.

May assist in the preparation and mailing out monthly contractor invoices.

Establishes and maintains project files and records of permits issued; enters permits, inspections, and re-inspections information into the computer and creates and maintains hard copy files with applications, inspection reports, and related documents.

Prepares, types, and distributes correspondence, records, and reports directly related to operations and permit activity; compiles data; locates files and retrieves information.

Additional Job Duties

Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of a variety of permitting processes and requirements including zoning, land use, building, and environmental health permits.

Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures including software for database management, word processing and spreadsheets.

Working knowledge and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary and spelling.

Ability to multi-task and deal with interruptions. 

Ability to prioritize work and perform a considerable volume of detailed records work.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, contractors, other agency staff, supervisors, and the general public.

Ability to interpret a variety of permitting requirements and regulations and give information and instructions on departmental programs and procedures based on inquiries.

Ability to create and maintain accurate detailed records and files and to gather and compile data from a variety of sources.

Ability to work with data and figures, perform required arithmetic calculations, and develop and maintain spreadsheets required in the work.

Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone to convey technical information to customers.

Ability to plan and organize administrative support activities and tasks.

Ability to create and maintain accurate detailed records and files and to gather and compile data from a variety of sources to produce required and requested reports. 

Other Qualifications

Graduation from high school and recordkeeping and clerical experience involving extensive public contact, preferably in the building or construction industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Provides local government and public services to county residents.