License Officer - EXAM

Columbus; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbus, under general supervision, enforces business licensing codes and issues licenses and permits through the Department of Building and Zoning Services. The role conducts related investigations and liaises with city agencies to ensure compliance and accurate licensing.

Responsibilities include inspecting premises, reviewing applications, issuing or revoking licenses, and preparing reports. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and strong customer service skills.

Qualifications

• Completion of the twelfth-grade or equivalent; GED accepted.
• Experience in customer service, public contact, or licensing activities preferred.
• Ability to interact with the public and other city agencies.

Responsibilities

• Enforce license laws and regulations and process license and permit applications.
• Inspect premises and vehicles for required licenses and conduct investigations as needed.
• Issue, suspend, or revoke licenses and permits and prepare related reports.
• Collect license and permit fees and maintain records.
• Coordinate with Health, Building Regulations, and Fire Division for inspections.

Skills

Customer service

Public contact

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Under general supervision, is responsible for the enforcement of business licensing codes and ordinances, conducting related investigations, and/or issuing licenses and permits in the Department of Building and Zoning Services; performs related duties as required.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Enforces compliance of all license laws and all rules and regulations;
• Inspects premises and vehicles for required new and annual licenses;
• Reviews and processes license and permit applications as regulated by licensing codes and ordinances; initiates and/or conducts related application investigations;
• Issues, suspends, or revokes licenses and permits;
• Investigates complaints involving permit and license holders and attempts to determine persons operating without valid licenses and/or permits;
• Issues citations and summons;
• Prepares investigative reports, files affidavits, and appears as a prosecuting witness;
• Prepares monthly and annual revenue totals and recommends revisions to codes;
• Maintains records; responds to public records requests;
• Contacts City agencies such as Health, Building Regulations, and the Fire Division for inspections necessary for license approvals;
• Acts as liaison to the public in assigned license/permit area matters;
• Approves or submits to supervisor for review permits and licenses received;
• Collects license and permit fees;
• Initiates background or driving record checks in determining whether a license or permit should be issued or renewed; investigates calls for service history regarding application addresses
• May assist the License supervisor and manager in administrative and personnel matters;
• May prepare cases and appear before the Vehicle for Hire Board, Hearing Appeals Board, other boards, and the courts in order to offer testimony and present information on violations.

Completion of the twelfth school grade and two (2) years of experience involving customer service or public contact, code or law enforcement, or licensing related activities. Substitution(s): College education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. A certificate of high school equivalence (GED) will be accepted in lieu of a high school diploma.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

The examination process will consist of a Customer Service Situational Judgment exam weighted 15%; and a computerized exam weighted 85% covering Public Relations, Reading Comprehension, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

The exam is expected to be administered in early December 2026. Approved applicants will be notified by mail/email of their scheduled test date and time.

All applicants must complete all phases of the testing process in order to receive a final score. The names of all candidates who pass this examination will remain on the eligible list for two years, unless the eligible list is replaced prior to or extended beyond the two years. If a candidate’s name is certified and the candidate is to be considered for employment, the hiring process will include one or more interviews, a criminal background check, and a pre-employment drug test.

The certification process will be: Fixed Band

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer