Permit Technician

Description

At the City of Plymouth, we all work together to add quality to life. This mission and our guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection – shape our work as we advance the City Council’s strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.

As front-line personnel, independently perform critical tasks related to customer service and construction permitting. Provide administrative support to the department.

Essential Functions

Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a manner that inspires professionalism, strong communication, team building and alignment with city values.

• Help create and maintain a respectful workplace culture and champion diversity and inclusion.
• Participate in city-wide training designed to strengthen skills in areas such as communications, leadership, decision-making and problem solving.
  
  

Receive applications and process permits for building, fire and rental housing divisions using automated permit system.

• Explain permit process to applicants and assist with completion of application.
• Ensure applications and related documentation are complete and date stamped upon receipt.
• Determine appropriate permit type and enter data into permit system in an accurately and timely.
• Distribute applications to appropriate staff for plan review.
• Ensure appropriate fee information is entered in an accurate manner.
• Process permits for issuance precisely and promptly.
• Issue permits that do not require significant review and collect payment for permits.
• Perform data entry of permits.
  
  

Schedule inspections for building and fire permits, rental licensing and code enforcement programs with inspector(s) using automated system including confirming the time and specific instructions for inspections.

Serve as primary or backup contact at the public service counter and on the telephone for general information about planning, zoning and building matters.

• Provide concise, thorough and courteous oral and written information about permits and license application requirements to the general public, contractors and developers.
• Direct highly technical inquiries and refer customers to appropriate department personnel or external agencies.
• Relay code requirements from the building official and inspectors to the public where appropriate.
• Prepare and maintain a supply of current permit application forms and information sheets describing requirements and process.
• Maintain communication with all division personnel.
  
  

Daily balancing of issued permits and cash management collections to ensure accuracy and submittal to finance.

• Assign finance revenue code to all funds received.
• Balance cash receipts daily and prepare deposit for finance.
• Sell documents including copies of the Comprehensive Plan, City Ordinances, maps and demographic books.
  
  

Administers the rental licensing program.

• Maintain a database for all rental properties in the City.
• Send notice for annual license renewal which includes collecting fees and scheduling inspections.
• Work closely with housing inspector to complete all requirements prior to issuance of license.
• Perform data entry of licenses.
  
  

Provide a wide variety of office support services including word processing, dictation transcribing, generating reports, correspondence and licensing of contractors to ensure efficient and thorough division operations.

• Ensure correspondence and reports are accurate, properly formatted and timely.
• Confirm that all contractors are currently licensed. Send notices for annual license renewal for all sign contractors and update the computer system.
• Date stamp and distribute mail daily.
• Ensure the supply of published information sheets, checklists, maps, application forms and ordinances is current and available.
• Assist in the preparation of Planning Commission, HRA agenda materials and public hearing notices for Planning Commission Meetings.
• Schedule appointments for division personnel as necessary.
  
  

Develop and maintain an effective filing system for documents which is accurate and current so that information can be promptly and efficiently retrieved.

• Ensure applications, surveys, related permit records and correspondence are put into LaserFiche.
• Verify files are kept current through the removal of duplicate materials and draft documents.
• Prepares files and records for LaserFiche.
  
  

Perform related work as apparent or assigned.

• Attend and take minutes at assigned HRA Meetings.
• Keep supervisor informed of departmental needs when additional support from other divisions is needed.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to perform in accordance with the City of Plymouth’s CIVIC values (customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection) and comfort with supporting and advancing the city council’s strategic priorities.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of related office experience or one year of post high school administrative education.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• One year of experience processing permits for building, fire, engineering and housing maintenance divisions using automated permit system.
• Knowledge of city and state regulations related to building, housing, zoning and rental licensing codes.
• Permit Technician Certification.
• Experience in service-oriented position in a municipal building inspection or similar environment.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements

• This position frequently requires reaching (extending hands and arms in any direction), handling objects (grasping, turning or otherwise using hand or hands), repetitive hand motion, stationary desk or bench work with neck bent forward.
• The employee must be able to lift/carry items up to 34 pounds. The employee must be able to lift items such as files, binders, office equipment, construction plans, boxes of office supplies and reams/boxes of paper.
  
  

The City of Plymouth offers a comprehensive benefits plan, developed with input from staff during robust benefits committee meetings. The following is a summary, contact hr@plymouthmn.gov for more detailed plan information.

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance provided by HealthPartners. Three networks available from narrow to open access, allowing for a range in premium cost.
• VEBA Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) - employer funded tax-free account to be used to help pay eligible medical expenses such as deductibles, coinsurance and other out of pocket expenses such as dental and vision care.
• Medical and Dependent Care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Dental insurance provided by Delta Dental
• Basic Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability coverage provided to all employees
• Additional voluntary life insurance available
• Voluntary vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  
  

Retirement and Medical Savings Plans :

• PERA pension
• Deferred compensation 457 retirement savings opportunities through multiple vendors
• Tax free post-employment health care savings plans (eligible employees transfer severance payments to VEBA HRA)
  
  

Leave and Time Off:

• Annual leave (PTO) and Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) starting at 23.75 days per year, accrued per pay period
• 40 hours of extended illness leave per year, accrued per pay period up to 600 hours. This benefit provides income continuation during a period of personal illness or injury.
• 12 holidays per year
  
  

Note: benefits may vary based upon labor agreements and FTE status of position.

01

Describe your experience in a service-oriented position in a municipal building or similar environment. Be thorough and include where and when you obtained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please type NA.

02

Describe your customer service experience. Be detailed and include where and when you obtained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please type NA.

03

Describe your cash handling experience. Be detailed and include where and when you obtained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please type NA.

04

Describe your experience using automated permit systems or other relevant computer systems. Be detailed and include where and when you obtained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please type NA.

05

Describe your experience providing support to different departments and/or different public service functions. If you do not have this experience, please type NA.

• Required Question