Permit Services Specialist

City of Renton; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Deferred compensation 3%

VEBA 1%

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

The City of Renton is seeking a detail-oriented Permit Specialist to support the City’s development and permitting operations and serve as a primary contact for applicants and the public.

Responsibilities include coordinating plan reviews, ensuring completeness of applications, and issuing permits. The role requires experience in government permitting, ICC Permit Technician certification, and a background check; hybrid telework is possible with State of Washington residency.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience working with the public in an office environment including a minimum of 1 year experience working in a government permit-issuing office or code enforcement office.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification from the International Code Council (ICC) as a Permit Technician
• Successful passing of a required background check.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, organize and manage the plan review process from pre-application to permit issuance.
• Route plans for review and act as liaison between applicant and reviewers.
• Review development permit applications for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify permit issuance readiness and perform final quality control on electronic reviews.
• Route documents and distribute permits and related files.

Skills

Customer service

Organization

Communication

Government permitting

Job description

Permit Specialist

The City of Renton is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Permit Specialist to support the City’s development and permitting operations. This position serves as a key point of contact for applicants, developers, City staff, and the public, coordinating permit applications from pre-application through review, approval, and issuance. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational and communication skills, experience in a government permitting environment, and the ability to interpret and apply permitting procedures and building code requirements. Join a collaborative team where your work directly supports safe, efficient, and high-quality development throughout the community.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 years of experience working with the public in an office environment including a minimum of 1 year experience working in a government permit-issuing office or code enforcement office.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification from the International Code Council (ICC) as a Permit Technician
• Successful passing of a required background check.

Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Deferred compensation with the City contributing 3% of the employee's salary.
• VEBA Plan with the City contributing 1% of the employee’s salary.
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates.
• Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two "personal" holidays a year.
• State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment.

Telework Program

The City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, up to 2 days remote, based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of job title or telework arrangement, City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate, organize and manage the plan review process in accordance with established procedures, starting from the beginning phase of the pre-application meeting to the final phase of building permit submittal and issuance.
• Route plans for review, manage project review comments and communications; act as liaison and main point of contact between the applicant and assigned reviewers.
• Review development permit applications, plans and other related documents for completeness and accuracy, determining acceptability for further review and/or processing.
• Verify permit issuance readiness and issue permit; serve as final quality control check for electronic plan reviews from various departments.
• Route completed applications, plans and related documents; distribute permit copy to appropriate construction inspector and applicant.
• Receive requests for inspection, input information into computer programs and print inspection request forms.
• Assist with project scheduling, tracking and organizing periodic project review meetings; update application forms and instructional materials as assigned.
• Participate in technical electronic plan reviews and the review of building applications; assist in analysis of designs and drawings to assure compliance with City codes and policies.
• Provide detailed technical and procedural information and training to applicants, developers, internal stakeholders and the general public, regarding permit submittal processes and software, code requirements, plan review information, inspection requests and results, and related documentation.
• Calculate, collect, receipt and document fees associated with development project activities, and provide Finance Department with daily deposit/report. Process billings and refunds to other City departments and the public.
• Respond to front counter and telephone inquiries regarding development related information and code violation complaints.
• Prepare permits and/or plans for permanent electronic archival storage.
• Maintain accurate up-to-date records of all permit activity and prepare weekly, monthly or annual activity reports.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance, work evening and/or weekend hours as assigned, and travel as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Move throughout City facilities and buildings.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate with City employees and residents.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 35 pounds occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• Noise level in the office is moderately quiet.
• Work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
• Night meetings may be required.

Approved reasonable accommodation requests will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Please consider visiting the City of Renton's Career Center for more information about our hiring process, benefits and other useful information. The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website: Why Renton

The City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including candidates’ names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the screening of applications. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application.

Accommodation

Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact [e-mail] at least 2 business days prior to the need.

Communication from the City of Renton

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application. Recruitment Process: The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check.