Plan Review Apprenticeship

Job Description - Plan Review Support Apprenticeship )

Plan Review Support Staff Apprentice, Montana Department of Labor & Industry

Step into a career that blends public service, problem solving, and technology. As a Plan Review Support Staff Apprentice, you will learn how construction and development move from idea to approved plans, build in demand skills with permit and GIS systems, and gain hands-on experience using Montana’s statewide electronic permitting platforms such as Accela and online plan review tools that are reshaping how government serves citizens.

This apprenticeship provides a clear path to grow, earn, and advance—whether your future is in planning, inspections, code enforcement, or broader public administration.

MISSION STATEMENT: Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Respect
• Integrity

We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

The Plan Review Support Apprentice plays a key role in how construction and development projects move from application to approved plans across Montana. This position supports the Department of Labor & Industry’s plan reviewers and inspectors by ensuring permit applications are complete, plans and documents are organized and ready for technical review, and information is accurately captured in statewide electronic systems such as Accela, eStop and other related permitting tools.

Through a structured four‑level apprenticeship, the position blends on‑the‑job learning with a clear evaluation framework so apprentices always know what skills they are building and how they are progressing. Under the guidance of an assigned mentor or supervisor, apprentices develop technical plan reading skills, learn to interpret basic zoning and setback information, provide high‑quality customer service, and gain confidence using specialized software, GIS, and document management systems that are essential to modern plan review operations in Montana.

• Intake, verify, and process permit applications and related submittals, ensuring required information is complete and properly entered into Accela and associated permitting/plan review systems.
• Review plans and supporting documents to identify plan types, relevant sheets, and basic code related elements, routing materials appropriately for professional technical review and documenting preliminary findings.
• Use zoning maps, overlays, setback standards, and electronic references to support basic zoning and land use interpretations and assist the public and plan reviewers with initial questions.
• Provide front line customer service by greeting customers, listening actively, explaining permitting processes and online submission steps (including how to use Accela), and documenting interactions for follow up.
• Operate permit management, GIS/mapping, and document management systems to enter, retrieve, upload, and organize records efficiently, including electronic submissions received through Accela or other state platforms.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical files, ensuring that notes, comments, and decisions are clearly documented and aligned with the apprenticeship evaluation criteria.
• Coordinate meetings, inspections, and timelines for plan review activities, monitoring open items and working with applicants to close loops and move projects forward.
• Level 1:
  Emphasis on permit intake, basic customer service, and learning Accela and other core systems under close supervision.
• Level 2:
  Focus on plan reading and document review, including correct identification of plan types/sheets and improved documentation quality.
• Level 3:
  Growth in customer service and communication, handling more complex questions, and confidently guiding users through electronic permitting processes.
• Level 4:
  Advanced software and technology use, including efficient navigation of Accela, GIS tools, and document management systems, plus demonstrated readiness for permit technician certification.

• Structured plan reading and documentation: Ability to identify plan types and…