Permit Technician

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Position is located in the Plans and Permits Section of the Inspections Department. Reviews and submits residential plans and Environmental Health applications for all residential construction. Position is responsible for the issuance of all residential permits. Work is supervised and reviewed by Permits Chief.

An employee in this class is responsible for initiating the residential plans process and permitting residential construction. The primary purpose of the position is to provide guidance and assistance to contractors, homeowners, and the general public concerning development ordinance regulations and building code as it relates to permitting. The position is responsible for reviewing plot plans to ensure setbacks are met per the development ordinance and issuing all residential permits.

Direct public contact is an essential duty. Work activities are supervised by the Permit Supervisor.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Enters information into permit software to ensure correct permit type, scope of work, and proper scheduling of required inspections. Provides technical assistance to citizens with questions or concerns about the permitting process, and zoning related to setback requirements of the customers’ property.
• Provides answers to both general and detailed questions regarding departmental policy and procedures.
• Researches necessary property information by reviewing plat books, tax records, deed records, and other departmental data.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations, codes, and laws by applying knowledge and skills to review, process and approve information submitted by applicants.
• Approves and issue required permits for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fuel piping by reviewing submitted application and enters information into permitting software.
• Issues Certificate of Occupancy and release electrical and gas meters after all requirements have been met.
• Submit residential plans for review and processing.
• Schedules inspections, maintains office equipment and computers.
• Establishes property ownership and related records prior to issuing permits; validates contractors’ licenses and issues inspection permits to customers and collects permit fees.
• Issues Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and updates information in permitting system.
• Files engineering letters of contractors; reconciles billing statements and payments of contractors.
• Communicates with field inspectors, Plans Examiners, and other staff, as required.

Knowledge of:

• Building inspections process to determine the necessary action for routine permit requests.
• General County and State codes and laws sufficient to explain process or procedures to the public and customers.
• The scope of information required by field inspectors to complete an inspection of a building structure, as well as the actions to be taken during the construction and inspection process, before utilities can be activated and a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued.
• Minimum construction requirements for inspections of pools, buildings, signs, etc.
• State of North Carolina code requirements for permits.
• Basic math sufficient to perform general mathematical calculations of permit fees or reconcile billing accounts.
• Research and understand zoning maps, tax maps, plat books, and deeds.
• Environmental health applications and required procedures.

Skills in:

• Listening, attentiveness, and interpersonal communications required to obtain and/or provide information to customers.
• General computer skills for PC use (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook) and data entry sufficient to create permit applications and schedule inspections.
• Organizing work tasks for self and staff.
• Independent judgment in setting priorities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Accuracy/attention to detail.
• Organization/time management/flexibility.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalence and one to two years of building and zoning technician experience

AND

Completion of all required training courses as a Permit Technician including the…