$65,436.80-$82,825.60 yearly

Definition

Under direction, to process building permit applications and issue permits; to provide information concerning building permit requirements, codes and inspection procedures to contractors, design professionals and the public; to check plans for completeness; to calculate permit fees; to issue over-the-counter building permits; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Building Permit Technician I is the entry level and trainee class of the Building Permit Technician series. Incumbents initially work under close supervision to learn to process building permit applications and to provide information to the public concerning the building permit process, requirements, codes and inspection procedures. Normally incumbents are expected to gain the knowledge and the abilities to perform the full range of journey level assignments after one year and to promote to the next higher level of Building Permit Technician II.

Building Permit Technician II is the journey level class in the Building Permit Technician series. Incumbents are responsible for processing building permit applications and for providing information to the public concerning the building permit process, requirements, codes and inspection procedures. The class of Building Permit Technician II differs from the higher level class of Senior Building Permit Technician in that the higher class is responsible for resolving conflicting requirements from various departments, for assembling final approved sets of plans and for notifying applicants of further requirements.

Typical Tasks

Accepts, reviews and evaluates building permit applications for completeness and correctness; reviews blueprints for completeness and accuracy and check for basic code compliance; calculate fees; verifies parcel ownership and checks for violations and inspection history; processes over-the-counter permits for repair in-kind, electrical, plumbing and mechanical residential applications; determines which agencies must review applications and routes building permits to various County agencies and departments to process; provides information to the public concerning the building permit process requirements, codes and inspection procedures; assists the public in completing applications for building permits; receives various complaints and handles or routes to the appropriate expert to solve; explains reasons for denial of applications; explains additional requirements and the process for reapplying; determines building fees; calculates square footage and determines cost per square foot based on use, occupancy and type of construction; notifies applicant when the building permit will be issued or if additional information is required; issues building permits; inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer; maintains records; attends meetings.

Employment Standards

Knowledge:

Building Permit Technician I

Some knowledge of construction drawings and blueprint reading;
Some knowledge of building codes and ordinances;
Some knowledge of building construction types;
Some knowledge of office practices and procedures.

Building Permit Technician II

Working knowledge of the above.

Ability to:

Building Permit Technician I

Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with property owners, developers, building contractors and general public;
Learn the permit process, requirements and codes;
Accurately add, subtract, multiply and divide;
Read and interpret building plans and specifications;
Learn to understand and apply building codes and ordinances;
Locate property on an assessor's parcel map and from property descriptions;
Calculate square footage;
Deal positively with the public in tense and hostile situations;
Input and access data using a computer.

Building Permit Technician II

The above, plus:

Understand, explain and consistently and fairly apply policies, laws, codes and regulations;
Review building permit applications for completeness and correctness;
Deal tactfully and fairly with complaints from the public.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities listed above is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Building Permit Technician I

One year of public contact work experience which relates to land use regulations, the building process, construction, drafting or mapping.

OR

Two years of college course work in construction technology, blueprint reading and drafting, building inspection, urban planning.

AND

Six months of experience involving public contact.

Building Permit Technician II

One year of experience equivalent to a Building Permit Technician I in Santa Cruz County.

Miscellaneous

Formerly titled: Building Permit Technician
Analyst:JAD
Revised Date(s): 6/81

CLASS: TP2; EST: 1/1/1977; REV: 1/1/1990;

CLASS: TP3; EST: 1/1/1977; REV: 1/1/1990;