Permit Technician

Building Permit Technician

Responsible for performing technical, administrative, and customer service duties related to acceptance, processing, reviewing, and approval of building permit applications in accordance with the Florida Building Code and County regulations and procedures. Requires the ability to comprehend and apply operational policy and procedures. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Permit Technician Supervisor and the Building Official.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Greets, logs in, and directs walk-in customers per office procedures.
2. Routes incoming calls utilizing a multi-line telephone.
3. Evaluates permit application packets for completeness, and processes applications and plans for permits.
4. Ensures all permitting information is entered correctly into permitting and plans review systems in a timely manner.
5. Issues Building, Manufactured/Mobile Home, Modular, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Swimming Pool, Gas, and Fire Safety permits utilizing permitting software.
6. Ensures all fees are calculated correctly and processes payments. Balances cash drawer.
7. Independently follows up with customers on permitting requirements and issues.
8. Prepares forms and composes letters. Sets up and maintains specialized office files. Files building plans and applications, letters, reports, and related technical information. Opens, prioritizes, and processes mail. Performs billing functions.
9. Uses various PC based software applications to process letters, forms, reports, inspection information, schedules, manuals, requisitions, purchase orders, and related paperwork. Retrieves data for reports.
10. Performs billing functions. Orders and maintains office supplies, and payment of invoices.
11. Utilizes GIS Data viewer, Property Appraiser website, etc. to accept, review, and process permit applications.
12. Coordinates with other county divisions, as well as other local and state regulatory agencies to ensure that permitting follows local and state regulations, codes, and statutes.
13. Ensures that contractors applying for permits are current in the system, including licenses, insurance COIs, Workman's Compensation Exemptions, etc. Maintains data and files accordingly. Processes contractor requests for County registration and requests for Competency Cards.
14. Schedules inspections and relays messages to inspectors.
15. Performs permit close-outs, power release duties, issues Certificates of Occupancy/Completion, and Temporary Certificates, as assigned.
16. Performs permit research, generates reports, and compiles data as requested.
17. Prepares files for archiving, archives and stores files and reports per retention policy, disposes of files and data according to policy at the end of the retention period.

Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
• Knowledge of business English, punctuation, and spelling.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical tasks, including calculation of fees.
• Ability to recognize basic components of building plans, site plans, aerial photographs, and maps.
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures and record keeping methods.
• Ability to learn assigned tasks and adhere to prescribed practices.
• Ability to perform in stressful situations and multitask in a busy office environment, while receiving the public with considerable poise, tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to make minor decisions according to prescribed policies, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to use office equipment including, but not limited to: multiline telephone systems, personal computers, facsimile machines, calculators, copiers, and scanners.
• Ability to use and learn computer software related to assigned job tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets, permitting programs, email, etc.
• Ability to work independently.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; one (1) year of clerical experience, including some experience in direct public contact and experience in permitting, inspection and contractors' applications, and record keeping. LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS: •ICC Permit Technician Certification desirable. •Must obtain Notary Public within six (6) months of employment.

This is a disaster essential position.

DeSoto County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County to administer its employment practices without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or disability. The County complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws mandating equal employment opportunity practices and prohibiting impermissible discrimination. The County will not tolerate any discrimination based upon an individual's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or disability. Preference shall be given to certain veterans and spouses of veterans as provided by Chapter 295, Laws of Florida.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, supplemental insurance such as hospital, accident, cancer, short-term and long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work an average of 32 hours per week over the course of a year, receive certain benefits on a pro-rated basis. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.