The Community Development Department is recruiting for two or more full-time Permit Technician positions. Appointment will be made at the appropriate level depending upon qualifications. Under general supervision, the Permit Technicians will perform a variety of technical permitting and administrative support work associated with front counter, virtual counter, and other office tasks related to department operations.

Permit Technician I: This is the journey-level class in the Permit Technician series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence and judgment on matters allocated to the Permit Technician II. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Permit Technician II: This is the journey-level class in the Permit Technician series. Employees at this level are expected to perform with more independence and receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and polices within the work unit. Depending on expertise and certifications, incumbents may perform minor over-the-counter planning and building plan check reviews. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and may be filled by advancement from the Permit Technician I class.

Permit Technician III: This is the advanced journey-level in the Permit Technician series. Employees at this level are expected to perform with greater independence, troubleshoot solutions for coordination and improved customer service, provide guidance and solutions as new or unusual situations arise, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit, and may provide direction and training to lower-level Permit Technicians and office support staff. Incumbents perform minor over-the-counter planning and building plan check reviews. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and may be filled by advancement from the Permit Technician II class.

This position performs the following essential job duties (including but not limited to):

• Reviews and intakes planning and building permit applications.
• Determines and collects fees for permits and other review and regulatory services.
• Routes all application submittals to the appropriate departments/agencies for processing.
• Maintains files for all applications after checking for general completeness and accuracy.
• Provides written and verbal information to the public regarding departmental policies and procedures pertaining to topics such as permits, building code requirements, zoning, application procedures, and current projects.
• Reads and interprets blueprints, maps, planning regulations, and a variety of other information while responding to general inquiries.
• Processes minor planning applications and reviews business licenses and building permits for compliance with zoning regulations.
• Provides public information in support of the building, planning, housing, and code enforcement programs.
• Enters invoices, prepares refunds, and reconciles web payments.
• Provides administrative support for public meetings, including preparation, distribution, and posting of agendas and minutes.
• Assists in setting up rooms and virtual webinars for department and/or public meetings.
• Operates a variety of office equipment and uses a variety of software programs, including word processing, spreadsheet, permit tracking software, digital archiving software, and visual presentation equipment as appropriate.
• Maintains and manages an inventory of forms, applications, and office supplies.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs a variety of other tasks related to office administration and permit services as assigned.

To be eligible for this position, you must have knowledge of/ability to:

Permit Technician I:

• Basic office and clerical procedures.
• Modern office methods, procedures, and computer equipment and various software applications.
• Simple accounting procedures.
• Basic applied mathematics.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing with the general public and customers involved with development and construction, particularly contractors, architects, developers, engineers, and property owners.
• Learn to read and interpret maps, construction drawings and blueprints.
• Learn and apply a variety of zoning, land use, planning, and building procedures, codes, and ordinances enforced by the City including the Uniform Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes and zoning codes.

Permit Technician II (in addition to the requirements for Permit Technician I):

• Basic knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes.
• Basic engineering concepts.
• Basic planning and land use concepts.
• Read and interpret maps, construction drawings, and blueprints.
• Interpret and apply a variety of zoning, land use, planning, and building procedures, codes, and ordinances enforced by the City, including the Uniform Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes and zoning codes.
• Organize and maintain files.
• Operate a variety of office equipment.
• Quickly and accurately review plans for submittal requirements and calculate permit fees in accordance with established laws.
• Research and compile information requested.
• Prepare written zoning research letters and administrative land use entitlements.
• Research, compile, and analyze data for special projects and various reports.

Permit Technician III (in addition to the requirements for Permit Technician II):

• Permit technician principles, practices, methods, and techniques acquired through certification with International Code Council (ICC) as a Permit Technician and completion of college level course work in engineering, planning, or a related field.
• Independently perform minor planning and building plan check reviews for compliance with building and zoning requirements.
• Review building permit compliance with conditions of approval.
• Ensure permit quality assurance and proper tracking and coordination of permit applications.
• Submit justifications for fee adjustments.
• May serve as permit tracking software administrator for technical staff to unlock files or correct and update data as needed.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE (A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skill and ability outlined above is):

Permit Technician I:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in an office or customer service environment with direct contact with the general public.

Permit Technician II:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Completion of two courses in building code, electrical code plumbing code, mechanical code, engineering, planning, or related field.
• One (1) year of experience equivalent to Permit Technician I in the City of San Rafael.

Permit Technician III:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Completion of four college courses in engineering, planning, or a related field.
• International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification is required for the III level.
• Two (2) years of experience equivalent to Permit Technician II in the City of San Rafael.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS:

• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification is desirable for Permit Technician I and II and is required for Permit Technician III.

LANGUAGE/MATHEMATICAL/REASONING SKILLS:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effective before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to speak Spanish is desirable but not required.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds for a distance of less than 50 feet. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Much of the work consists of entering data into and retrieving data from personal computers and terminals via keyboards and is performed while standing or sitting for extended periods of time with the ability to move about at will.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbents within this classification are expected to be able to communicate orally, in person, online or via the telephone, with members of the general public, other City employees, or employees of outside companies and other agencies. Much of the work performed in a crowded and noisy office setting.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

City of San Rafael application is required. Resumes do not substitute for the City application. Candidates should detail related education and experience on the application. The examination process may include the following application appraisal and oral board interview examination. The passing point for the oral board examination final score will be 70%. Prior to appointment candidate must mass a pre-employment physical, background check, driving record, and fingerprinting. To file an application, go to: www.calopps.org. Select “Member Agencies”. Select “San Rafael”. Follow this link to submit your application: https://www.calopps.org/san-rafael/job-20301082

For more information about the City of San Rafael, go to: www.cityofsanrafael.org

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of San Rafael will make reasonable accommodations in the exam process to accommodate disabled applicants. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (415) 485-3474 before the test date. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Such accommodations must be requested by the applicant.

The City of San Rafael offers an attractive compensation and benefits program. The salary range for this position is $4,963 - $7,300 per month DOQ/DOE and a competitive benefits program including:

• Retirement: The City is a part of the Marin County Employee Retirement Association (MCERA) plan, which offers reciprocity between agencies in CalPERS (this is part of the 37 Act County System):
  • Classic Employees (Tier 2 – hired on or after 7/1/2011) - 2% @ at 55 formula, average of three years of compensation.
  • PEPRA employees – (hired after 1/1/13 or with 6-month break in service) are eligible for a 2% at 62 formula, average of three highest years of compensation.
• Health Insurance: Full flex cafeteria plan which can be applied to a health plan or converted to cash (Employee Only - $804.36; Employee+1 - $1,521.51; Employee+Family - $1,667.27; Waive Coverage $300.00)
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance: $5,000 basic and long-term disability is two-thirds of the salary up to $1,000 per month
• Dental Insurance: Fully paid premiums for employee and eligible dependents
• Vision Insurance: Fully paid premium for employee – employee responsible for dependent cost if enrolled
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Available to employee and family members
• 457 Deferred Comp: Participation is voluntary
• 125 Plan: Participation is voluntary
• Annual Leave: Vacation 10 days (1-3 years of service/6.25 hours earned per month); 12 days of Sick Leave per year; 11 holidays, 1 Floating Holiday.
• Gym Reimbursement: Employees eligible to receive up to $16.50 per month reimbursement for paid gym memberships
• Bilingual Pay: Eligible to receive $150 per month for certified fluency.
• Social Security: The City of San Rafael does not contribute to social security
• Work Week: 37.5 hours per week/7.5 hours per day

(415)485-3474

rhonda.castellucci@cityofsanrafael.org