Permit Technician

Job Description:

Permit Technician

Description

Position Information

This recruitment is to fill one vacancy in the Community Development Department.

Union: This positions is covered by the United Public Employees of California (UPEC) labor group.

Job Description

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and administrative support functions related to the issuance of building and other ministerial development permits for the Planning, Public Works and Building Departments and in support of related services and activities of the Community Development Department; provides customer service by phone, email, and at the public counter; performs preliminary review of plans and specifications for plan check submittal; reviews and processes applications, issues permits, and calculates and collects fees; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is responsible for providing technical and administrative support related to building and other City development permits. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides information regarding City ordinances, procedures, and requirements for building and housing construction, remodeling, and repair, including structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and zoning matters, and California Title 24 requirements to homeowners, developers, contractors, and architects; provides information on departmental policies and functions; assists the public in the application process for building permits; initiates permit applications in the City’s permit software system.
• Assists in processing plan check applications for commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects; performs preliminary review of plans and/or permit applications for building construction to ensure conformance with the City's submittal requirements, development conditions, improvement standards, codes, construction specifications, ordinances, and regulations governing construction; refers plans and applications to appropriate personnel, as necessary.
• Conducts building permit processing; reviews permit applications, plans, specifications, and supporting documents for completeness and compliance with legal standards and City requirements; verifies contractors’ licenses, business licenses, and insurance coverages.
• Issues and prepares over-the-counter permits and releases approved building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical plans following established guidelines to ensure compliance with both Public Works and Building Department standards, development conditions, improvement standards, construction specifications, and City ordinances.
• Reviews plans to establish valuation and fee computation; calculates application and permit fees; prepares bills, collects fees, and issues receipts; performs permit-related monetary transactions, accounts receivable coding, billing inquiries, and invoicing.
• Responds and assists in the resolution of development-related inquiries and complaints; evaluates alternative solutions and develops and presents recommendations to supervisors.
• Reviews applications for building permits; may approve routine permits for small projects such as room additions, garage conversions, patio covers, and backyard pools, as directed; routes permit applications to appropriate staff, if outside scope of authority.
• Works cooperatively with property owners, contractors, architects, or their representatives to resolve questions regarding plan check, construction inspection, permit fees, or permit issuance; applies departmental policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and reports; provides information and forms to the public; processes appropriate information; answers and makes phone calls; prepares and responds to e-mails.
• Enters and compiles information and data for reports; maintains a variety of statistical records; checks and tabulates statistical data; performs data entry; coordinates routing of various permits, plans, and maps; uses specialized databases and permit tracking programs.
• Researches and compiles data from field verifications or office engineering records for inclusion into engineering correspondence, reports, or in response to public inquiry; contacts the public and outside agencies to acquire and provide information and make referrals.
• Maintains departmental records and files; files permits and plans; makes photocopies or microfilms permits and plans; retrieves information from files, as necessary; performs various administrative, reporting, billing, and accounts receivable tasks.
• Assists with special assignments and projects, as directed by management.
• Provides limited direction and technical assistance to other permit technician staff and/or temporary employees, as directed.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• City planning and permitting processes;
• Basic construction methods and terminology;
• California building, residential, plumbing, electrical, energy, green, and mechanical codes;
• Methods and techniques of reviewing a diverse range of applications for accuracy and completeness;
• Applicable zoning and related laws and regulations;
• Business letter writing and basic report preparation;
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to building, engineering, land use, and/or urban planning, sufficient to answer questions and provide information to the public;
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures;
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public vendors, contractors, and City staff;
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar;
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Understand and explain City policies, procedures, fees, and basic planning and building codes and regulations to the general public, permit applicants, and City staff;
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Interpret and understand engineering and/or building plans, improvement standards, construction standards, building codes, maps, and legal descriptions;
• Perform a wide range of duties in a timely and effective manner, including plan processing, routing, and coordinating with management staff in several City departments;
• Perform detailed, technical, and specialized planning and/or permit support work; perform various types of research;
• Perform the full range of office and administrative support duties and tasks and other requests and interruptions;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Deal with difficult customers in a courteous manner and refer complaints to appropriate staff members for resolution;
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions;
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed;
• Make accurate arithmetic and financial computations;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines;
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments;
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax;
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education :

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by specialized training in building technology, municipal planning, or a related field.

Experience:

• One (1) year of administrative or technical experience involving a high level of public contact and customer service.

Licenses and Certifications:

• None

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at: City of Chico - Employee Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 7/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$46,300.80 - $62,046.40 Annually