Fire Permit Technician - Palm Desert

County of Riverside; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside County Fire Department in Palm Desert is seeking a Fire Permit Technician to issue permits, review construction plans, and assist the public with permit processing.

The role requires familiarity with fire prevention software and the California Fire Code, plus strong customer service and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of recordkeeping and reporting; modern office equipment and software related to fire prevention and plan review.
• Familiarity with California Fire Code and applicable laws.
• Strong customer service and public relations skills.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality customer service at a public counter and process permit applications.
• Issue and review Fire Permits and plan submittals for residential, commercial and industrial projects.
• Coordinate permit processing and respond to code-related questions.
• Enter and maintain permit data and generate reports.

Job description

The Riverside County Fire Department is currently seeking to fill Fire Permit Technician vacancy located in Palm Desert. The Incumbent will perform a variety of administrative support duties and provides customer assistance and services for Riverside County Fire; responds to questions regarding Fire’s permit application, procedures and fire code requirements as they relate to permit application and processes; receives and routes applicable documents to staff; performs other related duties as required.

Competitive candidates will possess knowledge and experience using PLUS (Public and Land use System) or ENERGOV/Tyler EPL or similar software.

The Fire Permit Technician is a journey-level classification. The position will report to an appropriate supervisory or manager-level position. The Fire Permit Technician position primarily will engage in issuing County Fire construction and fire code permits, processing fire protection and construction plans for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, performing code compliance reviews of minor fire protection projects, and scheduling appointments.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Fire Department is one of California’s largest integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection organizations. The Department, a unique partnership between State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the County of Riverside, serves 19 partner agencies and 1 community service district. The Department has five core values: Leadership, Competence, Integrity, Safety, and Customer Service.

• Provide quality customer service to the public at a public counter; process construction plans, forms, and permit applications for issuance of development and construction permits for commercial, industrial, and residential projects; perform the more complex functions related to County Fire’s development and permitting processes; resolve or assist in resolving difficult or complex permitting issues.
• Coordinate fire permit process; receive and review fire applications for completeness and compliance with related laws, codes, ordinances, and legislation; process plan check submittals, applications and other related documents; answer code related questions and supply information regarding permit processing policies and procedures.
• Receive and review applications for Fire Permits; approve and issue permits; calculate and collect fees and perform plan reviews for minor projects.
• Review, confirm and research invoices, verify encumbrances, and research discrepancies as they relate to County Fire vendors.
• Receive requests for inspection and schedule appropriately using specialized records management and permit software to create and maintain project files and check project status.
• Enter and update information in the computerized permit system to prepare a variety of forms, letters, reports, and other materials to include permit issuance database; maintain accurate and detailed records and files; verify accuracy of information; provide status reports, research discrepancies and records information; calculate and maintain statistical data and records and prepare a variety of reports as required.
• Recommend and participate in implementation and improvement of policies and procedures.
• Research, review and compile data for special projects and various reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

OPTION I

Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.

Experience: Two (2) years of performing clerical office duties and in reviewing, reading and understanding simple blueprints or interpreting and explaining simple planning or building regulations.

OPTION II

Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.

Experience: One (1) year in municipal planning, building or a related field comparable to that of a Building or Planning Permit Technician.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Principles and procedures of recordkeeping and reporting; modern office equipment and procedures including use of a variety of software applications related to fire prevention and plan review; California Fire Code and other applicable federal, state and local laws; principles and practices of customer service and public relations; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

Learn, interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures; intermittently review documents related to County Fire operations; observe, identify and problem solve procedural issues; receive, research and resolve questions from the public, outside agencies and other County departments; learn to review construction drawings and plans; learn to process fire inspections, new construction and life safety permits.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.