Permit Specialist

Applications Accepted From: ALL PERSON INTERESTED
Service Line/Section:
Houston Permitting Center/Building Code Enforcement/Permits
Reporting

Location:

1002 Washington Ave.
Workdays &

Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
* * Subject to change

The Houston Permitting Center (HPC) is looking for a Permit Specialist to join our team in an office-based role supporting our customers. This individual is an important team member that guides customers through their permitting challenges and solves problems each day. As a Permit Specialist, you serve as the face of the HPC and as a link between other City staff in plan review, engineering, inspections, and IT.

At the Houston Permitting Center, our work moves fast, and our goal is to deliver exceptional service to our customers in person, online, and over the phone. A day in the life of a Permit Specialist is highly variable based on customer needs and volume. Some days you will be on the frontline, serving customers in person, and other days you will be in the back office serving customers via email, phone, and live chat.

• Processing permit applications – Assist customers with applying for a variety of permits, such as building, piers, demolition, and trades. Ensures all permit applications and related documents are complete, accurate and in compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Set up permit fees – Set up the permit fees within the permitting system and issue sales order for payment in person or online.
• License and bond registration – process first‑time license registrations and renewals for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and earth hauling contractors, and verifying sidewalk and driveway bonds
• Addressing and name changes – assign and verify addresses of buildings and other structures to ensure coordination between utilities and emergency services. Update projects for changes to the address, contractor, applicant, or occupant.
• Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance – process requests for Certificates of Occupancy or Compliance for new construction projects
• Customer support and education – respond to inquiries for general information on permitting processes and procedures through the email, live chat, and over the phone. Assist with the release of holds and other project issues. Collaborate with Communications to create or deliver training and other materials to educate customers on the permitting process.
• Technical support – Liaise between IT staff and customers to resolve technical issues with the permitting systems and/or facilitate remedies.
• Serving in a lead capacity – may serve as a shift leader for other Permits Techs and Aides to monitor daily workflow, assist with scheduling, and provide guidance to less experienced team members. Help create and maintain training materials and knowledge articles.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Your effectiveness in this position will depend on:

• Communicate clearly and professionally – Our customer base is diverse, not just in languages spoken, but also in construction and permitting experience. A Permit Specialist must communicate with respect, courtesy, and clarity in a variety of service channels, and know how to adapt their communication style to meet customer needs.
• Think critically and problem solve – Resolving permitting issues on behalf of customers can be complex and requires a Permit Specialist to build strong working relationships internally and across city departments. They just be able to take ownership and use good judgement to resolve problems.
• Understand general construction principles and practices – Understands the functions of all sections requiring permits, such as Water, Planning, Flood, Storm HAS, Traffic, Fire, Sprinklers, Haz‑Mat, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Health‑Food and Health‑Pool.
• Adapt to change – The Houston Permitting Center is undergoing rapid change, moving away from legacy permitting system to a modern, workflow‑driven permitting system. The selected candidate must be willing to embrace new technology and processes

We’re committed to your success, but we expect our team members to be equally invested. We’re looking for…