DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TECHNICIAN

City of Newport News; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Newport News in Newport News, VA, is seeking a Development Services Technician to review engineering permit applications and issue approved permits under City regulations. The role reports to the Navigator Manager - Development Services and works with multiple departments to ensure compliance.

The ideal candidate has an Associate degree and 1–2 years of administrative or customer service experience, with strong data entry, math and communication skills essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Customer service principles and best practices.
• Office administration and documentation.
• Mathematical and data-collection basics.

Responsibilities

• Review permit applications for accuracy and ensure bonds/insurance when required.
• Issue permits per City codes, ordinances and policies.
• Review and approve/ disapprove traffic control plans for right-of-way permits and events.
• Receive payments for permits and prepare treasurer reports and invoices.
• Maintain permit and bond/insurance files and related records.

Skills

Customer Service

Interpersonal Relationships

Judgement/Decision Making

Time Management

Communication

Education

Associates degree in Business Administration or Engineering Technology

Job description

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TECHNICIAN

Department: PLANNING

Posting End: 09/26/2026

Target Hiring Range: $41,664.12 - $52,800.00 - Based on Experience

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for reviewing engineering permit applications and issuing approved permits in accordance with City regulations. Reports to the Navigator Manager -Development Services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Reviews permit applications for over-dimensional, right-of-way, and land disturbance requests; ensures accuracy of information and appropriate bonds and insurance have been obtained when applicable. Issues permits in accordance with City codes, ordinances and policies. Reviews and approves/disapproves traffic control plans that pertain to requests for right-of-way permits and for special events that affect the use of City streets; approves permit applications for parades, motorcades and foot races.
• Receives payments for permit applications and fees; prepares daily Treasurers Report and submits all monies to the City Treasurer; prepares invoices for reimbursement of cash performance bonds as required.
• Determines safe routes of travel for oversized vehicles arriving, departing and/or transiting the City, verifies insurance coverage to protect City liability for potential damage that may be caused by such vehicles; coordinates with city departments and state agencies as necessary.
• Maintains files for all permits issued, performance bonds accepted and released, liability insurance accepted and released, and related matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the Citys Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Customer Service - Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Office Administration - Knowledge of office systems, practices, procedures and administration.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebraic and statistical applications.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Interpersonal Relationships - Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.
• Judgement/Decision Making - Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations; anticipates, identifies and evaluates potentially dangerous, unusual or deviating situations; diffuses emotional situations and exercises appropriate judgment to establish priorities and take prompt action for problem resolution.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

• Time Management - Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Ability to establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology.
• Communication - Ability to communicate ideas effectively, including the preparation of reports and logs. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires an Associates degree in Business Administration, Engineering Technology or a related field and 1-2 years of administrative or customer service experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires an acceptable general background check to include a lo al and state criminal history check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work.
• Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds).
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or work station.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
• Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.