Careers

Description:

The City of Shoreline’s Planning and Community Development Department is searching for its next customer-focused and detail-orientated Permit Technician. In this role, you will assist with processing permit applications, reviewing plans and documents for completeness, and providing support to customers navigating the permit process.

The department is committed to bringing the community’s vision of a welcoming, equitable, sustainable, and safe community into being by providing exceptional customer service, community guidance, and creative problem solving. As a Permit Technician you will become a member of the Permit Services Team. The Permit Services Team is made up of four Permit Technicians, and administrative and extra help staff. This team is responsible for providing exceptional customer service and administering permitting functions for the City, including building, land use/planning, fire, film permits, franchise utilities, right-of-way, and special events.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, a strong attention to detail, experience in providing exceptional customer service, and enjoy a team where continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do. A collaborative, solution-oriented attitude is essential to this work, along with experience working within permitting systems/processes. This position also works frequently and partners with other departments and outside agencies.

Essential Functions:

1. Perform complex and difficult technical clerical duties in support of several departments.
2. Accept, review and issue building, land use, fire, right of way, electrical, mechanical and other various permits according to established procedures.
3. Explain department policies and procedures to permit applicants and assist customers with completion of forms.
4. Determine and collect appropriate fees for each new project; account for daily fee intake and submit reports to financial staff.
5. Oversee the permit tracking process, ensuring timely initiation and accurate entry of all relevant application details into the system. Regularly review and update the information as necessary.
6. Create, organize and maintain all project files; assign document number to files and identify additional information required to proceed with the plan review process; enter information into computer.
7. Work collaboratively with staff from various teams and departments to ensure timely resolution of permit processing issues.
8. Respond to requests and inquiries from the public regarding building and zoning requirements, regulations and restrictions; maintain contact with clients regarding project progress; determine any remaining permit requirements; issue Permit Approval Notice.
9. Prepare and create graphs, tables and other illustrative materials; design reports; handle the reproduction of reports and other materials.
10. Provide general permitting information to City staff, government agencies and the general public. When applicable, connect customers with staff with other areas of expertise.
11. Perform a variety of clerical duties including word processing, filing, scheduling, supply ordering, map organization and booking meeting spaces.
12. Compile technical and statistical data and distribute to the appropriate staff, agencies and files.

Skills/Eligibility:

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations pertaining to right-of-way uses, land use and building construction.
• City permit process, procedures and requirements.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Basic principles and practices of comprehensive planning and the Growth Management Act.
• Community development programs and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of map reading.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Practices used in minute taking and preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Geographic information system (GIS) technology.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment.
• Applicable computer software applications.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism. 
• Review and issue building, land use, fire, right of way, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits.
• Streamline permit tracking process; ensure that permit tracking is started and all relevant application information is accurately entered; review and update computer information as needed.
• Compile technical and statistical planning information and prepare clear and concise staff reports.
• Perform technical clerical duties in support of an assigned department.
• Determine and collect appropriate fees for projects.
• Understand and interpret laws underlying the general plan, zoning and applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Read and interpret construction plans, mapping and survey data, site plans, zoning codes, legal descriptions and related information.
• Create and prepare graphs, tables and other illustrative materials.
• Occasionally work flexible hours including evenings and weekends on a volunteer basis.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Type and/or enter data on a computer at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Operate office equipment including computers, the GIS and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Maintain effective audio-visual judgements and perceptions needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, writing and operating assigned equipment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Foster a climate that encourages collaboration, fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision. Work well as a contributing member of a team. Work collaboratively and utilize appropriate resources to solve problems creatively. Ask for help when needed.