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Permit Specialist 1

Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C19
Job Code: 12006

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs paraprofessional technical work focused on superior customer interaction with residents, contractors, private providers, and business owners. The position also includes supporting customer walk-up, email and telephone technical support, public records support, and significant internal staff interaction requiring the highest degree of professionalism. Permitting support and tasks require a general knowledge base of when a permit is required, what type of permit(s) is required and a basic understanding of Florida Building code trades (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and gas) to identify types of permits and potential subcontractors. This position includes tasks from permit intake, completeness review, zoning compliance with the Land Development Code, permit distribution, plans coordination including final fees, contractor license verification and issuance of a permit (full permit cycle). This position would typically start with residential permits and expand to commercial permits under the supervision of a Permit Specialist 2.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Assists customers by responding to requests for applications and offers instruction on how to complete permit application packages answering inquiries regarding permits, requirements, fees, and overall permit processes;
• Communicates with and assists customers and applicants in all aspects of the permit cycle, zoning questions, records requests, and online technical support;
• Supports call center options in assisting residents, business owners, property managers, real estate professional and others;
• Receives and performs initial completeness review of permit applications on behalf of the building department;
• Reads and interprets permit plans, surveys, and architectural or engineering plans;
• Refers applicants’ questions to technical and professional staff responsible for subject matter reviews;
• Contacts applicants and replies to applicants’ inquiries about the status of construction permit applications;
• Operates a personal computer for data entry and retrieval and routine information terminal operations;
• Receives guidance and completes training to develop the capability to perform more advanced assignments and tasks;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED); one (1) year of experience in an organization providing regulatory services of permitting, licensing of inspections or two  (2) years of substantial experience in a high-volume customer service industry.  

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

• Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Other highly desirable knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the county’s common permit types for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits;
• Knowledge of the Land Development Code at a basic level;
• Knowledge of basic construction drawings, blueprints, and maps;
• Knowledge of Business English, arithmetic and spelling;
• Ability to apply computer applications and software;
• Ability to meet the public using tact, communication skills and job knowledge to assist with applications and answer inquiries;
• Ability to explain common codes and requirements for building permits to citizens, both in person and by telephone;
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records and to make difficult arithmetical computations accurately;
• Ability to operate a personal computer and other automated systems to enter and retrieve information, monitor work performed, and to communicate information in reports;
• Ability to perform mathematical computations, analyze data, and prepare reports based on findings, and communicate technical information, orally or in writing, in a manner understandable to contractors, consultants, superiors, staff personnel, and the public;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with construction  community, superiors, fellow employees, and public.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

This work requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual acuity: Have close visual acuity such as color differentiation, depth perception, and adequate field vision.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment.