Permit Technician I

City of Virginia Beach; Evans (CO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking a Permit Technician I to join the Permits & Inspections division of the Planning & Community Development Department. You will assist customers at the front counter, answer calls, issue permits for new construction and remodeling, and support document handling in the online system.

Requires high school or GED and 3 years of related experience; DHCD Permit Technician certification within 18 months is required.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED with 3+ years in planning/permit-related roles.
• Experience handling permits for construction or trades.
• Desirable certification: ICC or DHCD Permit Technician.

Responsibilities

• Greet homeowners, contractors, and staff at the front counter.
• Answer phone lines and provide information on permitting processes.
• Assist in issuing permits for new construction/remodeling and process payments.
• Scan/upload applications and documents to permit files.
• Research contractor licenses and compliance information.
• Assist with FOIA requests and general clerical tasks.

Skills

Front counter experience

Customer service

Phone and in-person communication

Document handling

Research information

Education

High school diploma or GED

DHCD Permit Technician Certification (within 18 months)

Tools

Accela

Workflow management system

Job description

Job Posting End Date: November 12, 2026

Department: PLANNING

Compensation Grade: G19

Compensation Range & Starting Salary: Pay Range: $42,764.80 - $66,643.20

Starting salary - Minimum of the Pay Range.

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime): No

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

The City of Virginia Beach is recruiting for a Permit Technician I to join the Permits & Inspections division of the Planning & Community Development Department. This position will join a team of frontline customer service experts managing the permitting process for a variety of different trades.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Meet and greet homeowners, contractors, consultants staff in person at the Permits and Inspections front counter.
• Answer multiple phone lines, having the ability to provide and interpret information regarding permitting inspection processes and procedures.
• Assist Building Official with the issuance of permits for new construction and remodeling, accepting payment and issuing receipts through the online permitting system.
• Scan and upload applications, associated plans, and documents to permit files.
• Research information such as State Contractor and Business License in compliance with permit issuance as allowed by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
• Assist in gathering information for FOIA requests.
• Perform clerical and routine administrative work as assigned.
• Assists with other activities as assigned by supervisor or division head.

Preferred Candidate:

• Experience extracting and processing information from construction and/or trade-related plan submittals.
• Experience using Accela or a similar workflow management, document tracking, and reporting system to support permitting, plan review, or development-related activities.
• Experience and general knowledge in one or more of the following areas: building construction; building construction concepts and administrative processes; building, fire, or housing inspections; plumbing, electrical, or mechanical trades; or fire protection, elevator, or property maintenance.
• Experience providing customer service by assisting citizens, contractors, developers, and other stakeholders through land development processes.
• Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) and/or Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Permit Technician Certification is highly desirable.

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and leave.

Additional requirements:

• DMV Transcript: No
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: No
• Physical: No
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Requires high school or GED plus three (3) years of experience in fields providing the required knowledge, skills and abilities and associated with such positions as planning aide, permit technician or jobs related to the construction industry or permit expediting; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must obtain DHCD Permit Technician certification within eighteen (18) months of hire per the Virginia Construction Code. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Working Conditions: Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

Working Conditions Link: https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.001427.2.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution : All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace : The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.