Certified Permit Technician

City of Great Falls; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Great Falls is seeking a Permit Technician to provide frontline customer service within the Building Safety and Planning Divisions. You will conduct an initial review of permit applications at intake and inform the public and City staff about development standards, fees, and procedures.

Under the Building Official's direction and Deputy Building Official's supervision, you will verify application completeness, schedule inspections, maintain records, and support boards and commissions

Qualifications

• Three years of administrative experience in construction, real estate, or building department, OR any combination of education, training and experience necessary to perform the duties of this position.

Responsibilities

• Receives and processes all building permit applications; receives calls and schedules all inspections on permits.
• Receives and responds to questions from the public regarding initial plan review, building, zoning, and licensing programs so that the appropriate information is provided or the individual is connected to the appropriate department and/or person.
• Issues and re-news certificates and licenses to ensure the proper documentation is completed, recorded and filed.
• Conducts preliminary review of plans at permit intake to establish completeness and determine to either accept or reject applications, or provide guidance to applicants as to how to navigate the process more efficiently.
• Maintains records and reports of various certificates, licenses, permits, property files and tickets so the City has a readily accessible information retrieval system to verify information on existing documents.
• Posts payments, compiles monthly reports, and prepares and distributes performance and financial reports to accurately portray the volume of building permits, and licensing activity within the City.
• Provides a variety of secretarial and clerical support services as needed to the Building and Planning Divisions including but not limited to support for various boards and commissions as requested.

Skills

Administrative experience

Customer service

Basic office software

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Office software

Job description

Provides excellent frontline customer service within the Building Safety and Planning Divisions. Permit Technicians are responsible for conducting an initial review of permit applications at intake, providing information regarding development standards, permit fees, and applicable procedures to the general public and City staff. Responds to initial inquiries regarding building, fire, and municipal land development code requirements; verifies the completeness of permit applications in accordance with City guidelines; and schedules inspections as requested. Work is performed under the general direction of the Building Official and the direct supervision of the Deputy Building Official.

• Receives and processes all building permit applications; receives calls and schedules all inspections on permits.(35%)
• Receives and responds to questions from the public regarding initial plan review, building, zoning, and licensing programs so that the appropriate information is provided or the individual is connected to the appropriate department and/or person.(25%)
• Issues and re-news certificates and licenses to ensure the proper documentation is completed, recorded and filed.(20%)
• Conducts preliminary review of plans at permit intake to establish completeness and determine to either accept or reject applications, or provide guidance to applicants as to how to navigate the process more efficiently.(5%)
• Maintains records and reports of various certificates, licenses, permits, property files and tickets so the City has a readily accessible information retrieval system to verify information on existing documents.(5%)
• Posts payments, compiles monthly reports, and prepares and distributes performance and financial reports to accurately portray the volume of building permits, and licensing activity within the City.(5%)
• Provides a variety of secretarial and clerical support services as needed to the Building and Planning Divisions including but not limited to support for various boards and commissions as requested.(5%)

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of administrative experience in a construction, real estate, or building department, OR any combination of education, training and experience necessary to perform the duties of this position.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license.
• Permit Technician Certification (14) from the International Code Council within one year of hire.

• Basic knowledge of, or ability to reasonably learn, all applicable Federal, State and local building and land development codes, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to utilize basic word processing, database and archival software programs as well as ability to learn complex permitting and licensing software programs, processes and procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, plats, maps, and prints both for accepting plan submittals and conveying accurate information externally and internally.
• The ability to handle stressful situations while establishing positive, friendly and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the general public. Must demonstrate a willingness to work both independently and with the public with an emphasis focused on exemplary customer service skills.
• The ability to be self-motivated, take initiative and work independently when necessary.
• Substantial knowledge of office practices, methods and procedures.
• Working knowledge of basic bookkeeping principles and practices.
• Ability to maintain legible, accurate written records and develop reports.

Core Competencies

• Ethical Conduct
• Attention to Detail
• Takes Initiative
• Exemplary Customer Service Skills

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office environment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, reach, ride and perform similar body movements. Must have the ability to perform light physical work and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds at a time; the possession of hand/eye coordination sufficient to operate a personal computer, office equipment and a motor vehicle; the ability to talkand hear in person or by telephone; and the ability to see and read instructions and reports.

Expected Hours of Work

The work schedule is a 40-hour work week, Sunday through Saturday. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime. Overtime must be pre-approved. Normal work hours are Monday through Friday.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.