Permitting Technician
City of Southfield Human Resources
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The City of Southfield Building Department seeks a Permit Technician to assist contractors and residents with zoning, permitting, and inspections. You will evaluate plans, process online applications, issue permits, and handle payments with accuracy.
Strong communication and office software skills are required; an associate degree in building trades or zoning enforcement is expected, with ICC certification possible within a year.
Qualifications
- Associates degree in Building Trades and/or Zoning Enforcement or combination of education and 1 year of related full-time experience.
- Knowledge of the BS&A Equalizer Permitting system is desirable.
- Familiar with building and safety terminology; able to use office software.
- License/Certificate: ICC Permit Technician within 1 year.
Responsibilities
- Provide information to contractors and property owners regarding Zoning Ordinance, permitting, and inspection processes.
- Evaluate plans for completeness and calculate fees; process online applications; issue permits.
- Educate residents on Building, Trade Permits and Zoning requirements.
- Review plans for minor improvements and schedule inspections.
- Provide general administrative support to the Building Department staff.
- Communicate courteously with the public, City management, staff and coworkers.
- Support Zoning Board of Appeals including generating case files and notices; manage meetings and files.
- Process FOIA requests; bond refund management.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
- Provide information to contractors and property owners concerning Zoning Ordinance, permitting, and inspection process. Assist in explaining City requirements, rules and regulations in response to inquiries at the Building Department counter and phone. Refer complex and/or non-standard inquiries as appropriate.
- Evaluate plans prior to submittal, for completeness and calculate appropriate fees. Process online applications. Issue building, zoning and trade permits and ensure accurate and current information on applications. Accepts and posts monetary payments from customers for building and other type permits, involving cash handling and ensuring balancing accuracy of a cash drawer.
- Educates residents and customers on Building, Trade Permits and Zoning Permit requirements.
- Review plans for minor improvements such as Signs, Height and Area Requirements, Lot Coverage, Front, Rear and Side Yard Setbacks, Shed and Fence Locations. Receive inspection requests and schedule as necessary.
- Provides general administrative support to the Building Department Staff as necessary.
- Communicates courteously and effectively with the public, City management, staff and co-workers
- Provide support for the Zoning Board of Appeals including generating case files in BS&A, adding fees, create and mail legal notices, facilitate WebEx meetings, create PowerPoints, manage files and related duties.
- Process FOIA requests.
- Bond refund management.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Associates degree in Building Trades and/or Zoning Enforcement or a combination of education and one year of related full-time experience in procedures for permit issuance, inspection scheduling, and building recordkeeping.
- Knowledge of the BS&A Equalizer Permitting system is desirable.
- Familiar with terminology commonly used in the fields of construction and building and safety.
- Proficiency in computerized word processing, spreadsheet and other recordkeeping software. Must have knowledge of City government organization, functions, policies, rules and regulations. Modern office methods, procedures and equipment. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Business letter writing.
- License/Certificate: Possession of or the ability to obtain an ICC certification as a Permit Technician within one year.
- Valid Michigan Drivers: License and a good driving record as determined by the City of Southfield's Driving Standards.
- Ability to become a Notary Public
The selection process will include a review of the applicant's experience for posted requirements, applicable skills test, and an oral board interview. Each step of the process must be passed before the applicant will be moved to the next step. Applicants will be invited to further participate in the selection process based on the nature and extent of their related experience.
Link to City of Southfield driving standards: City of Southfield
We offer a complete benefits package to career employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave and more!
- 1.5% Multiplier for all years of service
- 3 Years Final Average Compensation Upon Retirement
- 10 Years Vesting
- 5% Employee Contribution
- 1.5% Multiplier for all years of service
- 3 Years Final Average Compensation Upon Retirement
- 10 Years Vesting
- 5% Employee Contribution
- 3% 401 a City Contribution
- 3% 401 a Employee Contribution (minimum)
- 5 Year Vesting Schedule
- https://www.missionsq.org/
- Effective July 1, 2020 Tier III and IV employees shall contribute 2% of pensionable wages and the City will contribute $100 per month.
- https://www.healthcare.gov/
- 5 years of years of service: 50% vested
- 6 years of service: 75% vested
- 7 years of service: 100% vested
- Participation in the RHS begins on the first day of employment and end on the day of separation.
The city provides term life insurance benefits with accidental death and dismemberment for qualified employees as soon as possible, through the proper insurance carrier in accordance with the following schedule:
- AFSCME 329: 0-30 months employment $30,000 life and ADD, after 30 months of employment $50,000 term life, accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
- ACS TPOAM PST AFSCME 3636: $50,000 Term life and $50,000 ADD Insurance
- Community Blue PPO 10
- Community Blue PPO 12
- Community Blue PPO 15
Health insurance 1st day of the next month of hire date.
Employee has 30 Days to select benefits, otherwise will wait until open enrollment.
Retirement savings account with no employer contribution. Funds, added to a 457 can be pre-tax or post-tax.
Pre Tax funds lower taxable income in bi-weekly paycheck; however, taxes may have to be paid upon the distribution of funds in retirement.
Post-tax deferrals are taken from already taxed funds in your paycheck, which means that little to no taxes will be taken upon distribution in retirement. Loans are available.
75% reimbursement for tuition and fees (excluding late fees) for city-related classes or degree programs with a grade of "B" or better, up to $2,500 annually, plus 75% for required books.
Annual residency bonus of 1.5% of annual salary by Jan 1st with proof of residency. Elected officials and contractual employees ineligible.
Voluntary Term Life and ADD
Short term disability, cancer, accident and hospitalization insurance. Dennis Patton dennis_patton@us.aflac.com.
Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance- six free counseling sessions, legal, finance and life coaching programs. Supervisors are not notified if employee uses services.
Family Medical Leave Act worked up to 1250 hours or one year. Can take off time to care for a medical emergency for themselves or immediate family members for up to 12 weeks unpaid. Absences approved by BASIC or FMLA vendor.
Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent care through TASC are pre-tax funds that are used to cover certain out-of-pocket medical expenses and childcare costs. A total dollar amount is elected, and a debit card is sent to you to pay for incurred expenses.
Pre-tax funds are deducted bi-weekly to cover the cost of the total amount you have elected. There is an annual election limit of $3,300 for 2025.
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