Salary: $4,014.40 - $5,123.73 Monthly
Location : Torrance, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 23083527
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/08/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
DESCRIPTION
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
Join the City of Torrance as our next Permit Technician I!
The Department
Advancing a Safe, Accessible and Sustainable Built Environment
The Community Development Department plays a vital role in the continued development, sustainable growth, and success of Torrance. CDD maintains the Building and Safety, Engineering, Environmental (Code Enforcement), the Geographic Information System (GIS) and Mapping, Housing, and Planning Divisions, which serve the community by overseeing redevelopment, comprehensive planning, zoning, housing programs, project planning, permitting, environmental stewardship, NPDES and building and code enforcement.
Responsibilities of the Community Development Department include:

• Building Permits & Online Permitting
• Code Enforcement
• Construction Plan Check and Inspections
• Development Review and Comprehensive Planning
• Engineering Permits and Records
• GIS
• Housing Programs (including Section 8)
• NPDES Administration
• Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Torrance
• Survey Information
• Transportation Planning

The Division
The main purpose of the Building & Safety Division is to protect and promote public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. To accomplish this purpose, the Building & Safety Division provides inspections for new construction, buildings and remodeling of structures for compliance with the local, state and federal laws. One of the primary goals of the Building & Safety Division is to provide guidance to the public on safe building construction practices and to serve as a resource for building code and design issues.

The Position
The Community Development Department's Building & Safety Division is seeking a dedicated, results-oriented Permit Technician I to join their team in its fast-paced environment! As part of the team, the Permit Technician I performs responsible technical work in the review, processing, and issuance of a variety of permits such as building permits, development review permits, and zoning and business license information. This position calculates permit, plan check, development and business license related fees; receives money paid over the counter; collects fees, issues receipts for money received, and balances cash drawer. The Permit Technician I develops or modifies forms for reporting data, and ensures accuracy of data, and performs administrative support duties and a variety of specialized tasks of a technical nature and does related work as required.
For a detailed job description, click here .
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; and one year of experience with a municipal building department's permit processing function or similar experience at a public counter with an emphasis on customer service.
In addition to the experience requirement, completion of courses from a vocational school or college related to this field such as Public Works Inspection, Computer-aided Architectural Drafting, Principles of Engineering Technology, Blueprint Reading, the Uniform Building Code, and Bookkeeping and Accounting is highly desirable.

License and/or Certificates
Must possess a valid State of California driver's license of the appropriate class.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate, in addition to the minimum requirements, will possess:

• Exceptional customer service skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• A high degree of initiative and adaptability;
• Be resourceful and reliable;
• The ability to interpret and explain codes, regulations, and laws;
• Work independently and shift priorities as appropriate;
• Be familiar and comfortable in utilizing computers; and
• The ability to work in a fast paced environment.

Experience with a permitting software such as Accela is highly desirable.
HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs . Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the positions are filled.
Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:

Oral Exam: Weighted 100% (Interviews will be scheduled on an as needed basis.)
SPECIAL NOTES

Working Environment:
Work is performed indoors in a busy office environment. Must be able to handle heavy public contact at the counter and on the telephone. This position requires frequent sitting, walking, standing, reaching, bending and lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds. Must be occasionally available to work evenings or weekends for special assignments.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date. For further information, .
As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check.
In addition, the City of Torrance Conflict of Interest Code requires that employees in this classification file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Information about this requirement may be obtained from the City Clerk's office.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR ENGINEERS & TORRANCE FISCAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (TFEA)
Note: Not all benefits listed may be applicable to all positions with in the unit. Please refer to the MOU for specifics.
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (sec.4.9)
The City's monthly contribution for health insurance effective 1/6/19 is as follows:

EE Only EE 1 EE 2 or more
Full time EE's $597.68 $1,140.36 $1,595.96
Part- time
(hired prior to 1/1/08) $493.11 $924.91 $1,277.43
Part-time
(hired after 1/1/08) $362.57 $628.31 $847.19
The City's monthly contribution for vision insurance is $3.33
The City's monthly contribution for dental insurance is $33.71/EE only and $67.42/EE 1 or more
The City provides a Cash In-Lieu payment of $400 per month for eligible full-time employees for as long as the employee opts-out of medical coverage
City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy
Premium Pay (sec. 3.1)
Varies by position and assignment. (See section 3.1 and 3.2)

Night Shift Differential (sec.3.2.1 and 3.5.1)
Full time employees paid 5% above base hourly pay when ½ or more of the shift is scheduled to work after 5:00 p.m. or before 7:30 a.m.

Educational Incentive Premiums (sec. 3.6.1)
ENGINEERS : (Premiums paid above base pay, per hour. Total educational premiums not to exceed 12% combined)

• International Code Council (ICC) certificate: 4%
• 2% for each additional certificate, maximum of 12%
• Loss of 2% for each year's delay for failure to maintain certification
• LEED AP certificates (LEED AP, LEED AP BD C, LED AP Homes, LEED AP ND): 2.5%
• Build It Green Certification (Green Point Advisor, Green Point Rater): 2.5%

Holidays (Sec 4.1)
13 paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday directly following Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve)
Vacation/Annual Leave (Sec. 4.2)
Engineers (Accrual rate per month):
Year 1: 6.58 hours; Year 2: 7.21 hours; Year 3: 7.87 hours; Year 4: 8.54 hours; Years 5-6: 10.54 hours; Years 7 -9: 11.21 hours; Years 10 -20: 14.56 hours; Years 21 - 24: 15.88 hours; Year 25 : 18.54 hours
TFEA (Accrual rate per month):
Year 1: 6.57 hours; Year 2: 7.51 hours; Year 3: 8.17 hours; Year 4: 8.84 hours; Years 5-9: 10.84 hours; Years 10 -20: 14.19 hours; Years 21 - 24: 15.51 hours; Year 25 : 16.17 hours
Sick Leave/ Personal Leave (sec.4.3)
Accrual rate is 6 (six) hours per month to a maximum of 600 hours accrued sick leave. *Two work shifts of sick/vacation leave may be used for personal leave.

Bereavement Leave (sec 4.6)
Three (3) working shifts with pay (Additional leave, up to 2 additional working shifts for travel 300 miles or more for eligible family members)

Disability Insurance (sec 4.9)
Employee receives 2/3 base pay after elimination period (14 consecutive days for STD and 180 consecutive days for LTD)

Retiree Insurance (Sec. 4.9)
TFEA only : City will pay $51/month for retirees who continue health insurance coverage in one of the PERS health insurance plans
Retirement (sec. 4.10)
PERS 2%@55 ,
Employees hired before 1/11/2011, City pays 7% EPMC*
Employees hired on or after 1/11/2011 pay 7% EPMC*
*Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC)
PERS 2@62
"New members" hired on or after January 1, 2013, pay (50%) of normal cost with three year average final compensation.
Uniform Allowance (sec. 4.11.1)
FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER & SENIOR FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER ONLY:
$107.50 every 6 months (Paid June and December).

Tool and Educational Materials Allowance (sec.4.12.1)
ENGINEERS ONLY:
$175 per year (Paid in February).
Licenses and Certificates (sec. 4.14.1)
ENGINEERS ONLY:
$220/year for license/certificates with recurrent fees: Registered Professional Engineer, Licensed Land Surveyor, and American Institute of Certified Planners.
Shoe Allowance (4.15.1)
ENGINEERS ONLY:
$135 per year (Paid in September) for employees required to wear safety shoes or boots
Deferred Compensation Plan (Sec. 4.13.B)
A voluntarily 457 plan is available to all employees.
Employees are automatically enrolled in the 401(a) plan upon completion of one year service.

Retirement Health Savings Plan (sec 4.13.C)
Any hours under or equal to 600 (sick) and 600 (vacation) will be deposited into the ICMA-RC RHSP Plan, for retiring and separating employees. The remaining balance up to limits allowed by law will be disbursed into the City's 457 plan or be paid in cash.
01

The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College Coursework
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or above

03

Indicate your years of experience with a municipal building department's permit processing function, such as a permit center.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than three years
• More than three years, but less than five years
• More than five years

04

Indicate the number of years of experience that you have in providing customer service at a public counter or similar setting.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than three years
• More than three years, but less than five years
• More than five years

05

Indicate your experience in explaining and/or interpreting rules, policies, codes, regulations or similar information.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than three years
• More than three years, but less than five years
• More than five years

06

Describe your experience in providing customer service at a public counter or similar setting. Be specific about the type of interactions you were engaged in and if this was a primary job duty. (If none, type N/A.)
07

Do you have experience utilizing permitting software, such as Accela?

• Yes
• No

08

If yes, describe your experience. (If none, type N/A.)
09

Do you have experience reading blueprints?

• Yes
• No

10

If yes, describe your experience. (If none, type N/A.)
Required Question