Resident Services Specialist / Permit Technician

Upper Allen Township, PA; Mechanicsburg (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Allen Township in Mechanicsburg, PA seeks a Permit Technician to provide administrative and customer service support for the Community Development Department, handling permit applications, plan reviews coordination, fee collection, and records management.

The role requires 1–2 years in office administration and customer service, familiarity with building trades or construction, and potential ICC certification within a year. Local government experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1-2 years' experience in office administrative support, preferably in construction or building trades.
• 1-2 years of professional customer service experience.
• Proficiency with standard office software and technology.
• Experience in local government or public sector operations, preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, an ICC Permit Technician certification, preferred.
• Basic understanding of zoning code and the relationship to building practices, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for residents, contractors, developers, and design professionals regarding permitting services.
• Answers phones, assists customers, and schedules inspections; manages and maintains inspection schedules and updates contact information and daily requests.
• Provide information regarding permit requirements, application procedures, applicable codes, and departmental processes.
• Receive, review, and process permit applications and supporting documentation; create and issue invoices, calculate and collect permit fees, and file all documentation.
• Accurately locates properties to verify zoning, provides property restrictions, and performs compliance research as requested for public inquiries.
• Calculate permit fees, collect payments, and process related financial transactions.
• Enter, maintain, and update permit records within the department's permitting and records management systems.
• Route permit applications, plans, and related documents to appropriate staff for review and coordinate application workflow.
• Receives payments from contractors; provides account status information to contractors.
• Order/maintain stock of supplies for Community Development Department.
• Maintains files and records; prepares various reports; issues Certificates of Occupancy and letters of completion on behalf of the Building Official; maintains an up-to-date spreadsheet of inspections; assists with processing of files and open records requests.
• Track permit status and communicate application progress, deficiencies, and approvals to applicants.
• Schedule inspections and coordinate permit-related activities with inspectors and other departmental staff.
• Provide administrative support for building, zoning, land development, and related Community Development functions; prepare correspondence, reports, notices, and other administrative documents; maintain organized permit files and public records in accordance with municipal policies and record retention requirements.
• Deliver professional, courteous, and responsive customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable municipal ordinances, state regulations, and departmental policies.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Administrative support

Customer service

Office software proficiency

Zoning knowledge

Building codes understanding

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ICC Permit Technician certification

Job description

Job Summary

The Permit Technician provides administrative, technical, and customer service support to the Community Development Department by serving as the primary point of contact for residents, contractors, developers, and property owners regarding permit applications and related processes. The position supports building, zoning, planning, and stormwater functions by receiving, reviewing, processing, and issuing permits; coordinating plan reviews and inspections; collecting fees; maintaining permit records and databases; and assisting customers with permitting requirements and ordinance-related questions. The position helps ensure permit applications are processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable regulations and departmental procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for residents, contractors, developers, and design professionals regarding permitting services.


• Answers phones, assists customers, and schedules inspections; manages and maintains inspection schedules and updates contact information and daily requests.


• Provide information regarding permit requirements, application procedures, applicable codes, and departmental processes.


• Receive, review, and process permit applications and supporting documentation ensure accuracy and completeness; create and issue invoices, calculate and collect permit fees, and file all documentation and information.


• Accurately locates properties to verify zoning, provides property restrictions, and performs compliance research as requested for public inquiries.


• Calculate permit fees, collect payments, and process related financial transactions.


• Enter, maintain, and update permit records within the department's permitting and records management systems.


• Route permit applications, plans, and related documents to appropriate staff for review and coordinate application workflow.


• Receives payments from contractors; provides account status information to contractors.


• Order/maintain stock of supplies for Community Development Department.


• Maintains files and records; prepares various reports; issues Certificates of Occupancy and letters of completion on behalf of the Building Official; maintains an up-to-date spreadsheet of inspections; assists with processing of files and open records requests.


• Track permit status and communicate application progress, deficiencies, and approvals to applicants.


• Schedule inspections and coordinate permit-related activities with inspectors and other departmental staff.


• Provide administrative support for building, zoning, land development, and related Community Development functions; prepare correspondence, reports, notices, and other administrative documents; maintain organized permit files and public records in accordance with municipal policies and record retention requirements.


• Deliver professional, courteous, and responsive customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable municipal ordinances, state regulations, and departmental policies.


• Other related duties as assigned.

Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• 1-2 years' experience in office administrative support, preferably in construction or building trades.


• 1-2 years of professional customer service experience.


• Proficiency with standard office software and technology.


• Experience in local government or public sector operations, preferred.


• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, an ICC Permit Technician certification, preferred.


• Basic understanding of zoning code and the relationship to building practices, preferred.