Permit Technician I or II

City of Alexandria, Virginia; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia is seeking a Permit Technician I or II to review and issue permits, collect data, and respond to inquiries regarding the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Codes.

Ideal candidates will have the ability to read plats and construction plans, perform basic engineering calculations, and operate related office software. The role offers a clear career ladder with increasing responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with experience in paraprofessional engineering, drafting, or architectural work.
• Customer service or construction or code-related field experience.
• Completion of Virginia Core Academy and Permit Technician Course modules.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge and practice of outstanding customer service skills.
• Assist customers in reviewing documents for approvals prior to issuing permits.
• Provide information on Virginia building code regulations and permitting requirements; respond to inquiries.
• Review, process and issue electronic construction permits.
• Verify contractor and business licensing with the Commonwealth of Virginia and City of Alexandria.
• Calculate permit fees based on established fee schedule.
• Determine the appropriate departments for review.
• Refer callers to appropriate City agencies and handle requests/complaints.
• Perform related work as required.

Skills

Customer service

Reading plats and construction plans

Basic engineering calculations

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Office software

Job description

An Overview

The Permit Technician I and II are part of a career ladder with increasing responsibilities. As a Permit Technician I or II, you will review and process applications for permits, issue permits, collect data, and respond to inquiries concerning the Virginia building and construction codes. Incumbents in this class must be able to read and understand plats, construction plans, perform basic engineering calculations, and operate related professional office software. The incumbent performs related work as required.

Permit Technician (I or II)

An Overview

The Permit Technician I and II are part of a career ladder with increasing responsibilities. As a Permit Technician I or II, you will review and process applications for permits, issue permits, collect data, and respond to inquiries concerning the Virginia building and construction codes. Incumbents in this class must be able to read and understand plats, construction plans, perform basic engineering calculations, and operate related professional office software. The incumbent performs related work as required.

The Opportunity

• Demonstrates knowledge and practice of outstanding customer service skills;
• Assist customers in reviewing necessary documents for approvals provided by other City departments prior to issuing permits from the Department of Code Administration;
• Provides information to the public regarding various Virginia building code regulations, City of Alexandria codes and the department’s permitting policies, procedures and licensing requirements; respond to telephone inquiries regarding permits, process, procedures and handles complaints;
• Review, process and issue electronic construction related permits;
• Verify contractor and business licensing by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Alexandria; Verify that plans are complete and all required information has been submitted;
• Interacts with outside architectural/ engineering and design firms, contractors and homeowners via in-person, telephone and e-mail; Refers callers to appropriate City agencies to handle request and/or complaints;
• Calculates permit fees based on established fee schedule;
• Determines the appropriate departments for review;
• Performed related work as required.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should be able to acquire and apply knowledge of the City of Alexandria permit process and requirements to obtain construction related permits. Demonstrate completion of both the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Core Academy and Permit Technician Course modules and be able to understand and apply the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Codes. The candidate should be able to achieve and foster partnerships with all customers, both internal and external, to provide a safe and healthy built environment.

About The Department

The City of Alexandria's Department of Code Administration's focus is to assist customers to achieve compliance with the Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building and Maintenance Codes (USBC), and the City Code nuisance and development provisions. The department contains five divisions: The Permit Center, Property Maintenance Inspections, New Construction Inspections, Plan Review Services, and Administrative Services. If you are curious for a broader view of our City government click here, or for a broader view of the City of Alexandria click here.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Permit Technician I

To qualify for the Permit Technician I position, all candidates must possess A High School Diploma or GED; experience in paraprofessional engineering, drafting, or architectural work; customer service or construction or code related fields; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Completion of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Core Academy and Permit Technician Course modules.

Successful completion of the following within the employee’s probationary period of twelve (12) months after their original appointment:

• Permit Technician I certifications and requirements as prescribed in the current Permit Technician Career Ladder Matrix and as may be required from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) IC-700 certifications

Permit Technician II

A High School diploma or GED; two years of experience in paraprofessional engineering, drafting, or architectural work; customer service; or experience in the construction or code related fields; demonstrates knowledge regarding residential plan review requirements; or at least one year of satisfactory performance if currently employed as a Permit Technician I level with the City of Alexandria; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Successful completion of the following within the employee’s probationary period of twelve (12) months after their original appointment:

• Completion of the Virginia Building Code Academy Residential Plan Review module;
• Permit Technician II certification and requirements as prescribed in the current Permit Technician Career Ladder Matrix and as may be required by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Certificates And Licenses Requirements

• Completion of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Core Academy and Permit Technician Course modules
• Successful completion of the following within the employee’s probationary period of twelve (12) months after their original appointment:
• Permit Technician I certifications and requirements as prescribed in the current Permit Technician Career Ladder Matrix and as may be required from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) IC-100 & 700 certifications
• This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to driving record check, previous education and employment verification, and criminal background check.

Notes

Permit Technician positions may be filled at level I or II based on candidate’s experience and qualifications.

• Salary Level I - $44,381.74 - $78,104.52 Annually GS/11
• Salary Level II - $48,672.52 - $85,651.54 Annually GS/13

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

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The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at [e-mail].