Permit Technician

City of West University Place; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

EmergencyMD seeks a Permit Technician to support the Public Works Department with permit processing, inspections scheduling, and customer service. You will handle in-person, phone, and email inquiries while maintaining records and assisting with plan submissions and approvals.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED and two years of related experience, plus strong computer skills and attention to detail for policy adherence.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and two years of related experience or equivalent.
• Ability to provide accurate information and guidance to the public.
• Familiarity with standard operating policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Schedule inspections and assist with enforcement of zoning, health and safety regulations.
• Provide customer service and guidance to the public in person, by phone, and email.
• Assist in building plan submission and permit approvals processes.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and enter data into management systems.
• Support online permit software implementation and office operations.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Conflict resolution

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Online permit software

Job description

Permit Technician

CLAS S SUMMARY:

Incumbents operate in a busy environment with a high volume of customers and must possess integrity, dependability, time management, and organizational skills. Provide superior customer service support to the general public via phone, email, and in-person interactions. Coordinates a wide variety of administrative duties for the Public Works Department permit process. Maintains official records and assists in the administration of the standard operating policies and procedures of the department.

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Schedules inspections; assists in the enforcement of ordinances pertaining to zoning, health and safety, mobility, and parking; and prepares, processes, and issues violations and permits.
2. Incumbents are expected to provides accurate technical guidance and assistance to the public and a variety of groups on planning and permitting matters.
3. Provides staff support to Chief Building Official for their various boards and commission meetings, including but not limited to assembling packets, meeting attendance after hours, conducting background research, preparing agendas, posting notices, maintaining records, and providing general administrative duties for those boards and commissions.
4. Provides exceptional customer services to the public, contractors and other internal/external agencies. Work may involve providing information in person, and/or via phone, or email; mediating and resolving disputes and conflicts; and facilitating operations related to building plan submission and approvals.
5. Prepares, maintains, scans, revises, and updates standard reports, forms, case files, applications, plans, and other paperwork; and enters/retrieves information into or from databases and other online management systems.
6. Facilitates operations related to building plan submission and approvals by providing information, assisting contractors and residents with filling out applications, and returning approved/non-approved plans.
7. Advises and assists in the implementation and operation of new online permit Software.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of related experience in assigned area of responsibility; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on assignment, may require valid Texas driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work;
• Filing and record-keeping principles;
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices;
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment;
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment).
• Customer service principles;
• Conflict resolution principles;
• Computers and applicable software.

SKILLS:

• Conducting inspections, identifying violations, and enforcing ordinances;
• Issuing permits;
• Preparing, organizing, and maintaining basic reports and documents;
• Performing basic research, compiling and assembling data;
• Organizing and maintaining records and files;
• Operating assigned tools and equipment;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment).
• Providing customer service;
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications;
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others sufficient to exchange or convey information.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is in an office environment. Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Light Work: Exerting 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

In order to be hired, applicants will need to pass a background check, a drug screen, physical exam, and a reference check.