Rev 03/2023
CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
TITLE: PERMIT TECHNICIAN (JOB CODE 621)
DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO FLSA STATUS
Varies Varies Non-Exempt
CLASS SUMMARY
The Permit Technician is responsible for processing all building or fire permits, coordinating permitting activities with other departments, and performs related work in the City of Santa Clara Permit Center or Community Risk Reduction Division. Performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC
The Permit Technician is an entry level classification in the Permit Technician series.
Incumbents work under direct supervision and are expected to follow established procedures and policies in order to perform the job duties. Work is generally reviewed on completion of task.
Incumbents will evaluate situations, identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines. This classification is distinguished from the Senior Permit Technician classification in that the latter possess journey level knowledge and experience required to perform the more complex work assigned to the series and acts as a lead to Permit Technicians.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D.; AND • One (1) of the following experience patterns:
o Two (2) years of increasingly responsible office experience that involves extensive public contact in fire, planning, building, engineering, architecture, building construction trades, or related field; or
o One (1) year of permit technician experience in a City or County Fire, Building, or Community Development Department.
ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTION:
• Completion of 30-semester units/90 quarter units of college education from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for one (1) year of the required two (2) years of the required experience.
LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATES
• Possession of an appropriate, valid Class C California driver's license is required at time of appointment.
• Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification is required to be obtained and maintained within one (1) year of appointment.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.
PERMIT TECHNICIAN (621)
TYPICAL DUTIES
This description may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.
Under direct supervision:
• Performs clerical and public counter work and customer service related to the City's development process;
• Provides information to the public regarding City regulations, procedures, and policies; • Reviews and prepares various plan checks for express plan review, permit applications, materials, documents, and plan submittals for permits and verifies accuracy, completeness, and compliance with pertinent laws and City guidelines; • Assists applicants in completing the permit application process; • Responds to customers about permit inquiries and may serve as a liaison to developers or contractors in order to provide status updates on applications; • Calculates review, inspection, permit, and related fees, and collects funds and issues receipts; • Issues construction and/or operational permits;
• Performs computer data entry, data organization, and records access retrieval; • Maintains logs and records of permits issued;
• Performs simple plan checks and prepares plan checks for review; • Distributes, coordinates, monitors, tracks, and files construction documents and permits for utilizing data management systems;
• Researches files and databases regarding prior actions, decisions, development activities, and other information as required;
• Verifies zoning, geologic hazard, environmental contamination, flood zone, historic, and other status of permit sites;
• May assist in preparing reports, including but not limited to revenue and workflow reporting; • May assist in recommending process or procedural improvements; • Coordinates workflow with other City departments and outside agencies; and • Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
• Building, Fire, and/or environmental Codes and regulations, maps, reading/reviewing construction plans and specifications, terminology and processes; • Database and records management practices and procedures; • Procedures associated with construction and operational permits; and • Policies and procedures of fee assessment.
Ability to:
• Read, understand, apply, and explain basic laws, City ordinances, regulations, and procedures that are routine in nature;
• Analyze and resolve specific applications, plan review, and permit inquiries; • Deal effectively with customers and staff and use basic principles and techniques of customer service;
PERMIT TECHNICIAN (621)
• Actively participate in process improvement changes to streamline procedures and processes; • Assist in providing technical training to departmental staff; • Read and interpret construction plans and specifications; • Make accurate mathematical calculations regarding fees; • Perform accurate data entry;
• Operate variety office equipment and use City systems and applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and other applicable City databases;
• Handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet strict deadlines; • Evaluate situations, identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines
• Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing; • Work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals; • Work effectively with the public, developers, consultants, and other City staff; and • Bend, stoop, reach, carry, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the supervision of the Permit Center Manager, Senior Plans Examiner, Plans Examiner, Senior Permit Technician, or other staff as assigned.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
• May assist in the training of new and as-needed personnel as assigned. • May act as a lead over Customer Service Representatives – Permit Center, office support, or as-needed personnel as assigned.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Established 05/2008; Rev. 11/2019; Rev. 03/2023