City and County of San Francisco

Under general supervision the Permit Technician II performs a wide variety of paraprofessional, technical, administrative and specialized work involved in receiving, reviewing, processing and issuing building, electrical, plumbing and related permits and applications;  determining required inspections; creating inspection records and appointments;  maintaining field inspection lists; creating and issuing records requests; and providing permit-related information concerning permit requirements, codes, ordinances and inspection procedures.

This is the journey-level class in the Permit Technician series.  This class is distinguished from the Permit Technician III in that the latter has full supervisory responsibility and performs the more complex and technical work of the unit. This class is distinguished from the Permit Technician I in that the latter works under direct supervision performing the more routine and less complex functions.

May lead a group of clerical and technical support staff.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1.    Receives, reviews and evaluates permit applications, construction plans and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy and conformance with local, state and federal building codes and other applicable established criteria. Determines need for pre-permit inspections and needed level of review of plans prior to permit issuance.

2.    Processes and issues various building, electrical and plumbing permits. Determines required inspections, creates inspection records and appointments, and maintains field inspection lists from permit records.

3.    Uses fee schedules and designated calculation methodologies to determine value and calculate and access preliminary and final fees; calculates size-based fees; collects, records and balances permit related monetary transactions. Processes applicable charges through the Department’s cashiering system; handles cash, checks and other forms of payment; performs initial reconciliation of receipts and reconciles entries with the City’s Permit Tracking System.

4.    Performs extensive and complex entries into the City’s computerized Permit Tracking System and other computer based systems, ensuring accuracy in all data including street names, names of owner(s) project sponsor(s) and design professionals, project characteristics, fees and payments, and permit contractor’s information.

5.    Records, logs, compiles and maintains various permit related files, data, documents, plans and reports.

6.    Interacts directly with project sponsors, permit expediters, contractors, the general public and other department representatives relative to plan review, permit routing, construction inspection, notice of violation, records requests, inspection scheduling, special inspections, complaints and code violations. Researches public records with regard to construction drawings, permits, calculations, soil reports and legal descriptions. Disseminates, explains, and interprets information, regulations, and policies and procedures of the department.

7.    Resolves a variety of complex and difficult problems and complaints encountered by staff and department representatives regarding permit and plan submittals and processing, illegal construction, code violations and inspections.

8.    Processes complex records requests associate with building permits, research permit and plans information to respond to records  requests, assist customers with plans; process requests from other City Agencies; works with the vendor that scans plans and performs scanning in-house.

9.    May collect data and prepare statistical reports regarding permit intake, issuance and inspections, may lead and/or participate in preparing and processing administrative documents requiring extensive knowledge of department operations, policies, procedures, codes, regulations and ordinances.

10.  May lead the work of others performing building electrical, plumbing and related permit and plan processing work; may plan organize, prioritize and distribute work assignments; may train or provide input into performance evaluations of subordinate staff; may maintain work unit production statistics and prepare related reports; assists in the review and implementation of new unit/office procedures.

11.   Develop and maintain procedure manuals.

Knowledge of: Construction drawing conventions and general information presented on construction plans; legal authority of the department with regards to public disclosure, right of entry, denial of services, permits, enforcement actions administrate regulations and appeals processes; cash handling principles and basic arithmetic; technical terminology.

Skill to: Utilize complex specialized computer software including the City’s Permit Tracking System; operating Window Based Personal Computers, point of sale machines, copiers, fax machines and scanners.

Ability to: Read and review building plans and specifications for completeness; read land use maps, assessor’s maps, plot maps, specifications, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing drawings, energy calculations, and other related documents; use architectural and engineering scales to calculate dimensions and features; calculate and assess fees, apply cash handling principles; independently respond to and resolve day-to-day problems and/or complaints encounter by staff, the public and other in the course of handling office operations and procedures; explain, interpret and apply routine and specialized information, polices, and governmental guidelines and regulations to departments, staff, the public and/or others; research complex data, compile statistical information, and prepare reports for management; learn, understand and apply various state and local laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner; work independently within established policies and procedures.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Two (2) years of administrative and technical building, electrical, plumbing and related permit and plan processing experience equivalent to the level of class 6321 Permit Technician I with the City and County of San Francisco which includes reviewing applications for accuracy and completeness, receiving and logging records requests, maintaining inspection records and providing routine permit-related information concerning permit requirements, codes, ordinances and procedures.

None.

ORIGINATION DATE: 12/10/2012