Permit Technician

Permit Technician

The City of Dana Point is seeking a customer-focused and detail-oriented individual to join our Community Development Department as a Permit Technician. This position serves as a key point of contact at the public counter, assisting residents, contractors, and developers with permit applications, plan submittals, and general inquiries. The ideal candidate is organized, responsive, and enjoys helping others navigate the permitting process while ensuring compliance with City regulations.

Permit Technician: $61,248.00 - $86,904.00 Annually

First application review: February 2, 2026

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Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, perform a variety of technical duties involved in accepting, processing and reviewing forms, plans, and permit applications for planning, building, and land use activities; assist and inform the public in person, by email, and on the telephone regarding departmental policies and procedures related to applications for development; and perform a variety of tasks related to the assigned area of responsibility.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Permit Technician performs less complex research, office and may do field work that is standardized and governed by procedures, instructions and standard practices.

This position is non-exempt under FLSA standards.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Assist the public at the front counter; respond to questions about policies and procedures; provide information on the permit process.
2. Participate in developing and maintaining records and reporting systems related to development/building permit processes.
3. Investigate problems and conflicts arising from permit processing activities; analyze, recommend, and implement changes as appropriate.
4. Receive and review applications; ensure information is accurate, complete, and in compliance with regulations; advise the public on simple plan check corrections.
5. Conduct simple review of plan check submittals; ensure compliance with minimum submittal requirements; recommend modifications of submittal requirements as necessary to improve service to the public.
6. Route plans to appropriate staff; label and log information; set up files; track and monitor plan status; notify contractors, owners, developers, and engineers of plan status; issue permits.
7. Verify licensing and insurance on contractors, document information in appropriate files.
8. Calculate and estimate fees for permits; collect fees for various applications; issue receipts for fees collected.
9. Perform a variety of office, administrative, and fiscal support assignments; assist public record keeping and report preparation; receive and answer phone calls to the front counter operations.
10. Prepare and maintain records and files of plans and permits; assist the general public with retrieval & copying of records; purge completed permit files.
11. Prepare a variety of correspondence and related material in support of assigned functions; prepare handouts of fee schedules and related permit processes.
12. Participate in reviewing processes and procedures to improve productivity and customer service.
13. Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge:

• Technical duties involved in accepting, processing building, planning and public works permit applications.
• Basic methods and techniques of technical research.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Principles and procedures of permit record-keeping and methods and procedures of data entry.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Methods and techniques of effective customer service.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to:

• Read or learn to read plans, maps and blueprints.
• Calculate fees and building valuations.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Respond to complaints, requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Use of correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures related to the building permit process, and learn technical terms related to building construction.
• Effectively multi-task and maintain effective organization of multiple projects and assignments in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions.
• Work effectively and maintain composure under pressure.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

• Graduation from high school or completion of a GED supplemented with job-related courses and two years of responsible clerical experience working with the public at a municipal building and planning front counter.

License or Certificates:

• ICC certification as a permit technician is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical Requirements: Position requires the ability to perform light lifting and carrying; sitting, standing and walking for prolonged periods of time; occasional to frequent squatting, twisting and bending. Continuous hand use and finger dexterity is needed to use computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and perform filing duties; may require occasional pushing and pulling, grasping, reaching. This position also requires the ability to read architectural drawings, plans, specifications, reports and other records. Good hearing is required when communicating on the telephone or in person.

Work Environment: Primarily office environment with controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Position works extensively with the general public. Note: All employees of the City of Dana Point are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly differently from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

HEALTH BENEFITS - This position is not eligible for health or disability benefits. An Employee Fitness Center, including shower facilities, is located onsite at City Hall and is available 24/7 for use by employees.

SICK LEAVE - The Healthy Families Healthy Workplace Act provides part-time employees with up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year that may be used beginning on the employee's 90th day of employment, provided the employee has worked 30 calendar days in the calendar year.

RETIREMENT - The City does not participate in social security. In lieu of social security, the City contributes an additional 7.5% of the employee's earnings to a 457 deferred compensation account on the employee's behalf.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT - Year-round part-time employees who have completed six months of continuous employment with the City may be eligible for reimbursement for approved education expenses, up to a fiscal year maximum of 25% of the cost of a full-time, in-state course work at a California State University.