Permit Clerk

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Permit Clerk is responsible for providing the public with explanations and interpretations of City ordinances, policies and procedures and assistance in completing City permit application forms. The role primarily involves educating customers about necessary permits and compliance with building codes, and providing support in permit-related processes. Individuals in this class have frequent contact with the public. Considerable tact and persuasion is required in dealing with citizens who may be or become irate. This class performs a variety of clerical assignments such logging-in construction plans, verifying information on building permit applications for accuracy and completeness, collecting plans review and permit fees, updating daily logs, routing plans to departments or divisions, researching or entering permit and inspection information on the computer, and providing customer referral or information service activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

• Orally explains information to the public, including requirements for obtaining a construction permit.

• Distributes and accepts construction permit applications.

• Verifies information on building permit applications for accuracy and completeness.

• Assists applicants in completing applications and forms by answering questions.

• Educates customers on the necessary permits and general code compliance.

• Logs in construction plans.

• Receives and assesses building permit applications from customers and evaluates the scope of proposed projects to determine the relevant permit requirements.

• Accurately inputs inspection results.

• Issues permits.

• Collects plan review and permit fees, counting for accuracy, and balancing collections.

• Maintains daily inspection and construction permit activity logs.

• Routes plans to departments.

• Researches and enters permit and inspection information on the computer.

• Provides customer referral or information service activities.

• Registers contractors and subcontractors.

• Schedules inspections.

• Dispatches field personnel.

• Performs clerical functions, such as preparing payroll reports, ordering supplies, taking minutes of meetings, scheduling appointments, filing paper work, and computing end of day deposits, as needed.

• Observes safety regulations and communicates potential safety hazards.

• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

• Answers phone calls and emails, responds to inquiries correspondence.

• Processes payments over the phone.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.

• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED & EXERCISED

• General supervision is received from the Chief Building Officer.

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:

• Modern office methods, practices and equipment.

• Public relations techniques.

• Operating a personal computer, typewriter, and other common office equipment.

Ability to:

• Learn job-related material primarily through oral instructions and observation. This learning takes place mainly in an on-the-job training setting.

• Communicate orally with customers, clients, or public in a face-to-face one-on-one setting or by telephone, answering technical questions and handling difficult complaints with tact and courtesy.

• Work cooperatively with other employees, other departments or agencies, and the public.

• Learn and use the operating policies, ordinances, or procedures within the department.

• Enter data into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device in order to file or retrieve information.

• Sort, separate, arrange, file, or distribute incoming mail, products, or material in some prescribed manner.

• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

• Perform arithmetical calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent; or six (6) months related experience and/or training, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses, Certificates & Registrations:

• None required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SAFETY SENSITIVITY

This position is not classified as a safety-sensitive position.