Lead Permit Center Operations

Kitsap County, WA; Port Orchard (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Kitsap County is seeking a Permit Coordinator to lead a high-performing team and guide the County’s Permit Center. You will shape permitting workflows for builders, developers, and internal staff, ensuring efficient, compliant outcomes.

You will mentor staff, lead QA, and implement policy improvements while collaborating across departments to deliver excellent public service and support sustainable development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a closely related field or 5+ years of progressively responsible permitting experience.
• Work experience may substitute for education, but is essential and cannot be replaced by more education.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly and courteously.
• Strong customer service skills, including handling complex interactions with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across departments, agencies, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the daily workflow of an eight-member Permit Technician team, including work assignment, prioritization, and frontline customer support.
• Oversee and coordinate operations of the County’s Permit Center as the on-site technical expert for applicants and staff.
• Resolve complex service issues to ensure compliant and timely permitting decisions.
• Coach, mentor, and train Permit Technicians; onboard new staff and upskill team members.
• Lead quality assurance to ensure accurate code administration and correct interpretation of zoning and development requirements.
• Drive development and implementation of permitting policies, procedures, and process improvements county-wide.
• Coordinate process improvement initiatives and document workflows within the Permit Services Team.
• Serve as a SMARTGov super user to support permit tracking and electronic plan review.
• Coordinate pre-permit intake meetings and advise customers on permit type selection and routing.
• Research and interpret complex permitting questions, including legacy permits and regulatory interpretations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Team coordination

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

5+ years permitting experience

Tools

SMARTGov

ICC Permit Technician Certification

Job description

Kitsap County is seeking a Permit Coordinator to lead a high-performing team and guide the County’s Permit Center. You will shape permitting workflows for builders, developers, and internal staff, ensuring efficient, compliant outcomes.

You will mentor staff, lead QA, and implement policy improvements while collaborating across departments to deliver excellent public service and support sustainable development.