Permit Advocate

JOB

A Permit Advocate plays a key role in supporting Planning and Development by guiding customers navigate the permitting process, ensuring applications meet regulatory standards, and coordinating the efficient review of projects. This position serves as the main point of contact for applicants by explaining submittal requirements, checking documentation for accuracy, routing applications for review, and approving certain permits that do not require plan review. The role also includes performing complex plan and permit fee calculations based on City ordinances and fee schedules, researching property information, maintaining organized records, handling development permitting needs, and supporting efforts that improve public understanding and engagement in the permitting process.

About You:

The ideal candidate for the Permit Advocate position brings prior experience in local government permitting and thrives in a collaborative, fast paced environment. They demonstrate a consistently positive attitude, take a proactive approach to challenges, and excel at solving problems with professionalism and clarity. A strong team player, they communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and maintain exceptional attention to detail to ensure accurate, high-quality support throughout the permitting process.

About Us:

The City of Raleigh’s Planning and Development Department plays a key role in guiding the city’s growth by balancing development needs with long-term community goals. Through close coordination with departments such as Raleigh Water, Fire, Transportation, and other partner agencies, the department helps ensure that new residential and commercial projects are reviewed efficiently, meet regulatory requirements, and support sustainable development. This position is within the Land Development division, which serves as a central point of contact for permitting applications, plan reviews, development approvals, and ongoing customer engagement throughout the development process.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Processes, reviews, and routes documentation for residential, non-residential projects, and site review applications ensuring proper coordination.
• Performs routine research of submittals while applying State licensing boards, departmental and regulatory policies.
• Performs quality control checks of plans and permits for accuracy and compliance; performs complex plan and permit fee calculations based on City ordinances and fee schedules.
• Organizes and maintains proper archival of applicable files, records, reports and related documentation.
• Provides customer assistance including but not limited to application requirements and plans for submittal; verifies documentation accuracy and completeness. Responds to inquiries and escalations in person, over the phone or through written correspondence; refers complex issues to appropriate resources.
• Reviews and processes residential permit requests; approves residential permits that do not require plan review
• Identifies, develops, implements and maintains processes and practices that encourage, support and promote effective, comprehensive and meaningful improvement. Coordinates, participates and/or presents in public engagement events.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Knowledge of:

• Customer service principles
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Standard practices, methods, and materials of assigned work
• Business math concepts
• Filing and record-keeping principles
• City of Raleigh website
• Professionalism and workplace ethics
• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Organization and time management

Skill In:

• Active listening, and asking probing questions to assist customers
• Communicating routine or simple technical and/or program concepts and related facts in a
  clear, concise, organized and persuasive manner
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications
• Processing payments and updating applicable account information
• Utilizing the Enterprise Permitting & License database to retrieve and communicate permit information
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards
• Providing attention to detail in assignments
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Use logic and data to inform decision-making
• Multi-task in a fast-paced work environment
• Read and review site plan drawings and measurements
• Resolve customer service conflicts with professionalism
• Show attention to details
• Perform business math calculations

ADA and Other Requirements:

Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor or street environment (near moving traffic).

Work Exposures:
Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations or individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.