BUILDING PERMIT TECHNICIAN I

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical support duties related to the issuance of permits for the Building Division 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 and responsibilities, as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Building Permit Technician I: This is the entry-level classification in the Building Permit Technician series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine administrative and technical building permit and plan review support work. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Building Permit Technician II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Flex Staffing: Positions in the Building Permit Technician Series are flexibly staffed and positions are normally filled by advancement within the series, upon fully performing the duties and responsibilities, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and meeting the requirements for the higher class, as determined by management.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct (Building Permit Technician I) to general supervision (Building Permit Technician II) from higher level management as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provides appropriate information regarding 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 the public including homeowners, developers, contractors, and architects, in person and over the counter and telephone; provides information on departmental policies and functions; assists the public in the application process for building permits.
2. Assists in processing plan check applications for construction plans for commercial, industrial, and residential projects; reviews plans for the purpose of establishing valuation and fee computation; performs preliminary review of plans and/or permit applications for building construction to ensure conformance with the City's submittal requirements, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing construction; refers plans and applications to appropriate personnel, as necessary.
3. 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; calculates application and permit fees; prepares bills, collects fees, and issues receipts; issues building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits following established guidelines.
4. Reviews applications for building permits; within authorized guidelines, may approve routine permits for small projects such as room additions, garage conversions, patio covers, and backyard pools; if outside scope of authority, routes permit applications to appropriate staff.
5. 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.
6. Compiles information and data for reports; maintains a variety of statistical records; checks and tabulates statistical data.
7. May assist with providing training to front counter staff; provides input into division policies, procedures, and work processes impacting technical support staff.
8. Contacts the public and outside agencies in acquiring and providing information and making referrals.
9. Maintains departmental records and files; files permits and plans; makes photocopies or microfilms permits and plans; retrieves information from files, as necessary.
10. May assist with special assignments and projects as determined by management.
11. Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
12. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of:

• City planning and permitting processes.
  • Basic construction methods and terminology.
  • Methods and techniques of reviewing a diverse range of applications for accuracy and completeness.
  • Organization, procedures, and operating details of the Community Development Department.
  • Business letter writing and basic report preparation.
  • Business mathematics.
  • 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.
  • Cash handling techniques.
  • Communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
  • Operations and organizational structure of municipal government.
  • Principles and practices of research and report preparation.
  • Principles and practices of filing and recordkeeping.
  • Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
  • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  • City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

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.
• Read and interpret plans, specifications, related construction documents, and maps.
• Perform detailed, technical, and specialized planning and/or permit support work.
• Perform the full range of office and administrative support duties and tasks.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls, walk-up traffic, and other requests and interruptions.
• 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.
• Prepare and review a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical reports.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Read and interpret plans, specifications, related construction documents, and maps.
• Perform detailed, technical, and specialized plan check and/or permit support work.
• Perform the full range of office and administrative support duties and tasks.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls, walk-up traffic, and other requests and interruptions.
• 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.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal 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.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience – Building Permit Technician I:

A minimum of one (1) year of administrative or technical experience involving a high level of public contact and customer service experience.

Training – All Levels:

High School graduation or satisfactory equivalent. The completion of an Associate’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Technology or a related field from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a State of California driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Special Requirements:

Employee in this class may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics and physical/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.

Environmental Conditions:

Employees in this class generally work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting including use of standard office equipment, including a computer; and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City development and meeting sites. Vision is required to read printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech is required to communicate in person, and over the telephone. Touch is required in order to handle documents, and use a computer. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Must be able to sit forprolonged periods of time. 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 20 pounds.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent in this class regularly uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets routine to complex data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math, and mathe­matical reasoning; observes and interprets people, and situations; learns and applies new information; performs detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions, and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with City management, staff, developers, contractors, homeowners, members of the public, representatives of private and public agencies, and others encountered in the course of work.

CAREER PROGRESSION

FROM: Building Permit Technician I

TO: Building Permit Technician II

TO: Senior Building Permit Technician

Approved by Name: City Council

Title: N/A

Effective/Revision Date: 5/9/23

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

At-Will Status: This is an “At Will” position as defined in Section 2.35.030 of the City of Jurupa Valley Municipal Code. Employment can be terminated with or without cause or notice at any time by either City or employee.