Permit Specialist I - Public Works Department

City of Port St. Lucie; Port Saint Lucie (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Port St. Lucie is seeking an entry level clerical candidate to process permit applications for the Public Works Regulatory Division. This role provides administrative support for residential permitting, plan review, inspections, and compliance, with training from a Permit Specialist II or III.

This essential position may require hours outside the standard day shift during emergencies. The starting hourly rate is $23.40 - $26.91, depending on qualifications, with duties spanning

Qualifications

• Knowledge of business English, spelling and punctuation to prepare documents and letters.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of city codes and ordinances related to Public Works permits preferred.
• Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow procedures and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Process applications for Public Works/Regulatory permits and review forms for accuracy.
• Explain permit procedures, fees, and document requirements to contractors and homeowners.
• Enter information into computer systems and retrieve data as needed.
• Schedule inspections and post results; maintain and store records.
• Serve as liaison between customers, plan reviewers, and inspectors.
• Collect permit fees and provide receipts; maintain cash reports.
• Maintain documentation and follow safety and city procedures.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Office communication

Written and verbal communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The City of Port St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer.

Entry level clerical work processing permit applications for the Public Works Regulatory Division. Responsibilities include administrative support as it relates to residential permitting, plan review, inspections, and regulatory compliance. Training and mentorship to be provided by a Public Works Permit Specialist II or III. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City.

MAY BE REQUIRED TO WORK HOURS OTHER THAN STANDARD DAY SHIFT AND/OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

The starting hourly rate for this position is $23.40 - $26.91 depending on qualifications.

This position is considered an "Essential Position" for the purpose of Emergency Management. Emergency duties will be assigned as needed. This position requires 24 hours a day, 7 days per week availability during City of Port St. Lucie emergencies, as determined by City Administrators, the Emergency Manager, or City Officials.

The following duties are illustrative for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Process applications for Public Works/Regulatory permits. Reviews forms for accuracy; explains permit procedures, fees, and determines missing documents; enters information into the computer.
• Accurately explains and answers questions from contractors and homeowners regarding regulatory compliance, plan review, and inspection process for permits.
• Accesses, inputs, and retrieves information from a computer.
• Schedules inspections, posts results, and creates schedules.
• Reproduces permit documents by accessing computer file records or by copying originals. Operates general office equipment.
• Maintains, scans, and stores Public Works records in accordance with state records retention guidelines.
• Reviews and inputs various applications, forms, and affidavits into the software program.
• Handles various financial transactions such as permit fees, re-inspection fees, re-review fees, and miscellaneous items.
• Acts as Liaison between customers, plan reviewers, and inspectors.
• Collects permit fee payments and/or insufficient/non-sufficient fund payments (NSF) and provides receipts. Maintains cash reports for submission to the Finance Department.
• Enters resident & contractor requests and concerns into Q-Alert & OpenGov Asset Management System.
• Regular and punctual attendance.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma required. One (1) year experience in responsible office work required, construction related office work preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of valid driver’s license and maintenance of clean driving record required with the ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days from date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of business English, spelling, and punctuation in order to prepare documents, compose letters, etc.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Department and City's policies, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of general office procedures.
• Knowledge of construction terminology and documentation.
• Knowledge of telephone etiquette.
• Knowledge of City codes and ordinances and requirements of multiple outside agencies as they pertain to Public Works permits preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.
• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.

• Ability to follow Public Works Department Standard Operating Procedures to include safety compliance.

• Ability to maintain complex records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Documentation Requirements

Please Read Carefully

Applicants, including City of Port St Lucie employees, must upload and submit attached copies of their education credentials with the employment application. Please be sure to attach all required documents to your employment application each time you apply. Uploaded documents remain in your online profile, but they will not attach automatically, and you will be deemed ineligible without the proper documentation.

ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST BE CLEAR, LEGIBLE, AND IN PROPER FORMAT. THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT(S) ARE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION AND ARE ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PROOF:

1. Proof of education in the form of a diploma, degree, or transcripts. Foreign diplomas/degrees must be submitted with a credential evaluation report from an approved credential evaluation agency*. Translations of diplomas/degrees are not accepted. Audit/Academic reports are not accepted as substitutions for college transcripts.
2. Driver's License: A Valid Driver's License from any state (Equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized upon application; however, within thirty (30) days from the date of hire, a State of Florida Driver's License (Class E or higher) must be presented.

*Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies: Credential evaluation reports showing the United States equivalency for academic credentials earned in other countries may be provided by:

• An accredited four-year college or university in the United States, OR
• A current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), OR
• A current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), OR
• A recognized Professional Organization

For an additional list of approved credential evaluation agencies, visit the Florida Department of Education

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required documents submitted with the employment application are in a format that is acceptable, clear, and legible for eligibility determination or risk being disqualified. Applicants, including City of Port St. Lucie employees, must completely detail their work experience on the employment application or risk being disqualified. Resumes will not be reviewed in place of the employment application. It is the applicant's responsibility to update their online profile with personal data, work experience, education, and certifications when submitting application(s); failure to do so may result in disqualification.