Permit Technician - (Part-time)

City of Buena Park; Buena Park (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Permit Technician to join its Building Division team. This part-time role involves engaging with the public, providing exceptional customer service, and supporting building inspections and permit processing. Ideal candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment and possess strong teamwork skills. With a focus on municipal building codes and procedures, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to community development while gaining valuable experience in local government operations. If you are motivated and eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Schedule

Medical Insurance Options

Retirement Plan

Paid Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service and permit processing is essential.
• Strong communication skills are necessary for effective public interaction.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service at the public counter and over the phone.
• Process building permits and applications efficiently.

Skills

Customer Service

Permit Processing

Clerical Support

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB BULLETIN

The City of Buena Park's Community Development Department is seeking an enthusiastic individual interested in joining the Building Division team as a Part-Time Permit Technician. Permit Technicians work in collaboration with building inspectors and plan checkers on municipal building inspection and are the frontline support, engaging and providing exemplary customer service both in person and on the phone. This role requires individuals who thrive working in a fast-paced environment, are team-oriented, possess strong teamwork skills, and excel in delivering professional and courteous assistance to the public. Prior municipal experience is a highly desirable qualification for this position.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs technical and clerical functions related to the review, processing, and maintenance of a variety of building or engineering permits and related records; calculates fees, prepares monthly and annual revenue reports, and tracks the status of plan checks and inspections; and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Permit Technician is distinguished from the Building Inspector or Public Works Inspector in that it primarily performs public counter support work in receiving and processing building or engineering permit applications and fees, tracking the status of inspections with staff, and coordinating permit status updates with other departments.

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

Building And Safety

• Provides customer service at the public counter and over the telephone in processing building permits and applications, fire safety checks, plan checks, temporary use permits, special event permits and occupancy permits.
• Responds to inquiries and questions regarding permit data; provides information regarding permit procedures, policies, and functions.
• Receives, logs, and reviews building plan and permit application data for completeness and accuracy and verifies permit and plan check fee calculations.
• Assists in coordinating permit review by city departments and monitoring the status of building inspections; tracks received deposits, fees, case expenditures, and refunds by program and account number.
• Assists customers in viewing microfiche, laserfiche, and hard copies of permits, or in making copies; assists other agencies and customers with records inquiries; retrieves requested building plans and permits from archives.
• Maintains division records, including a variety of forms and logs; provides and downloads information related to the city’s website.
• Prepares plans for microfiche and processes address changes.
• Provides general clerical and receptionist support for the division, such as distributing mail, typing memos and correspondence, making reservations, processing expense reimbursements, and reviewing records for completeness and accuracy.
• Assembles information for activity logs, records, and reports; faxes or transmits data required by other parties, such as utility releases.
• Monitors availability of informational handouts for public use and orders supplies.
• May conduct minor plan checks for signs, room additions, patio covers, enclosures, retaining walls, and other improvements.

Qualifications Guidelines

Knowledge of: General inspection and permit requirements related to the City Municipal Code, building and construction codes, and related local ordinances; permit fee schedules, inspection procedures, and plan application and review procedures related to the Building and Safety Division or Engineering Division; effective customer service techniques; basic math; budgeting procedures.

Ability To: Understand, interpret and enforce Municipal Code pertaining to the issuance of building or engineering applications or permits, the handling of documents, and recording of fees; operate standard office and computer equipment and use permit processing, word processing and spreadsheet software programs; organize, track and schedule inspections; prepare and maintain records and standard reports; analyze and solve basic work problems by applying departmental procedures; follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, developers, contractors, and the public.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk. The sensory demands include the ability to talk, and hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate computer hardware and standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; meet intense and changing deadlines given interruptions; interact appropriately with co-workers, management, city officials, developers, contractors, public and private representatives, and others in the course of work.

Work Environment

The employee usually works under typical office conditions where the noise level in the work environment is quiet at or below 85 decibels. Depending upon the position assignment, employees may occasionally be required to work outside and be exposed to wet or humid conditions, and the noise level may be loud.

Education/Training/Experience

High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required. Two years of experience in related permit processing, customer service, or engineering or building services support work is required.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

Applicant Information/Exam Weight

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans With Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at [phone] no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting

Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits. They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.

SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions). Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.

RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee pays member contribution.

VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service. Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.

HOLIDAYS: An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available. The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.

LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. Premiums are fully paid by the City.

LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City. Police sworn personnel are not eligible.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offers one (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

WORK SCHEDULE: 4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.

OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: $100 per month, per child, is available to all Full-Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.

Applicant Questionnaire

To better evaluate your qualifications for this position, responses to this supplemental questionnaire are required. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process. An incomplete and inaccurate application may lead to disqualification. It is your responsibility to fill out the application thoroughly and accurately. Resumes will not be accepted instead of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the questions. If you do not have experience, please write "NONE". NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be considered when evaluating your qualifications.

• I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.

Question 2: What is your highest level of education completed?

• No Diploma
• High School or G.E.D.
• Some College - 59 units or less
• Some College - more than 60 units
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

Question 3: Do you have a valid California class C driver's license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance?

• Yes
• No

Question 4: How many years of experience do you have related to customer service or building services support?

• No Experience
• Less than 6 months experience
• 6 months to less than 1 year experience
• 1 year to less than 2 years experience
• 2 to less than 3 years of experience
• 3 to less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to less than 5 years experience
• 5 years or more experience

Question 5: Please tell us about your customer service experience as it relates to your background working in municipal government, municipal building inspection, or other related field?

Question 6: Do you have experience in any of the following clerical duties? (check all that apply)

• Answering phones and directing calls
• Data Entry
• Filing
• Typing
• Researching Information
• Report Writing

Question 7: What is your approach when working with a difficult customer? When a customer requires a delicate touch, what methods do you usually employ?