Permit Technician (Investigations)

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston invites applications for a Permit Technician Aide in the Houston Permitting Center. You will process building permit applications, provide guidance on codes and inspection procedures, and support customers via email, live chat, and phone.

Two years of related experience are required, with a high school diploma or GED. An Associate degree may substitute experience; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred to serve the diverse community.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience as a Permit Technician Aide or in customer service.
• An Associate degree may be substituted for the experience requirement.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accept, review, and disseminate a wide variety of building permit applications and documents.
• Provide information to customers on permit requirements, codes, ordinances and inspection procedures.
• Process 311 cases regarding permits and related violations.
• Prepare and process administrative documents and maintain permit files and reports.
• Respond to inquiries via email, live chat, and phone; assist with holds and project issues.
• Coordinate with IT staff to resolve permitting system issues.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

ILMS/iPermits experience

Plan review systems

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree (substitution for experience)

Tools

ILMS/iPermits

ProjectDox

Infor

Oracle Service Cloud

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Position Overview

Accepting Applications from: All Persons Interested

• Subject to change*

Service Line/Section: Houston Permitting Center/Code Enforcement & Compliance/Investigations

Reporting Location: 601 Sawyer St., Suite #110*

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm*

Description Of Duties/Essential Functions

Under the general supervision, preforms a variety of paraprofessional support involved in the acceptance, review, and dissemination of a wide variety of building permit applications and documents. Provides information to customers on building permit requirements, codes, ordinances and inspection procedures.

• Process 311 Cases - City of Houston citizens have the right to report concerns in their community. The Investigations section investigates 311 reports for possible violations regarding: Unpermitted construction, Occupancy Violations, Multi Family Habitability Violations, Unregulated Residential Facilities and Donation Box Violations.
• Prepares and processes administrative documents - Uses knowledge of the department's operations, policies, procedures, codes, regulations and ordinances. Records, logs, compiles and maintains various permit related files, data, documents, plans and reports.
• Provide guidance and customer support - respond to inquiries for general information on permitting processes and procedures through email, live chat and over the phone. Assist with the release of holds and other project issues.
• Technical Support - Liaise between IT staff and customers to resolve technical issues with permitting systems and/or facilitate remedies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable most of the time with occasional periods of stooping, bending and/or light lifting of materials up to 10 pounds. Requires the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli within moderately demanding tolerances.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier Ill level.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a high school diploma or a GED.

Experience Requirements

Two years of experience as a Permit Technician Aide or in customer service are required.

An Associate degree may be substituted for the experience requirement.

License Requirements

None

PREFERENCES

• Experience using ILMS/iPermits, ProjectDox, lnfor, or similar electronic permitting, and plan review systems.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification or willing to obtain certification within six months of employment
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal skills
• Experience using live chat or customer experience (CX) software, such as Oracle Service Cloud or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. **

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, The Department May Administer a Skills Assessment Evaluation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION:

No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 15

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Must be able to pass a criminal background check, obtain and maintain federally mandated security clearances where required.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employment The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.