Plan Review Technician - (regulation Support Technician II) - Inspections, Licenses, And Permits

Job Opportunity at Howard County Government

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

Position Summary: Performs sub-professional technical office work providing specialized services essential to the successful operation of the licenses and permits function. Work involves the more difficult aspects of the permit process and is distinguished from the next lower class by the specialized knowledges, skills, and abilities required such as: ability to read plans, reviewing permits for technical accuracy, commercial fee determinations, and limited signature authority. Starting salary hiring range: $24.59 - $26.89 $51,139 - $55,938 Class description: Performs intermediate technical level licensing, inspections, and regulation support work under general supervision from a technical superior. Work includes performing receipt, specialized review services, processing, and distribution of licenses and permits essential to the successful operation of the licenses and permits division.; and the contracted residential waste hauler program.

Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Receives permit or license applications over the counter, in the mail or online for building, plumbing, grading, HVACR, electrical, sign, rental housing licensing, use and occupancy certificates, and other permit applications; reviews for technical accuracy, processes and accepts or rejects in accordance with established guidelines.
• Interprets complex requirements and explains them to the public and applies them to application review at either the front counter, by telephone or via email.
• Answers difficult inquiries over the phone or in person and assists customers in completing applications in person at the Licenses and Permits Front Counter.
• Reviews site plans, detailed construction drawings, specifications, and other submittals.
• Performs varied technical work in gathering data for use in application review or preparing reports; maintains files and recording procedures.
• Verifies that all requirements for certificates of use and occupancy have been met, including inspection records and grading certificates.
• Processes grading surety bonds, driveway apron agreement bonds; prepares refund payment claims for supervisor signature of these documents.
• Questions applicant to obtain information such as name, address, and records data on prescribed forms.
• Evaluates information obtained to determine applicant qualification for licensure.
• Collects prescribed fees and writes cash receipt for payment of various permits and licenses.
• Reviews fee calculations and prepares invoices for payment of permits.
• May exercise final approval and sign-off authority over certain applications.
• Issues blank permit and license applications and various other documents to the public over the front counter, mail or and electronically; determines appropriate forms and assists customers in completing applications. Tracks applications in the process of review and advises customers as to status.
• Answers inquiries over the telephone or in person and explains requirements, policies and filing procedures; refers more difficult questions to supervisor.
• Receives applications over the counter, in the mail, and through electronic permitting portal; reviews for accuracy and completeness and accepts or rejects applications in accordance with guidelines and Howard County Code requirements regarding submittals.
• Processes accepted applications by dating, logging, filing, stamping, coding, photocopying, and/or entering information into electronic data processing system, as appropriate.
• Gathers and summarizes information and provides reports of activities.
• Maintains records of building, fire, grading, plumbing, HVACR, animal & rental application and documentation.
• Types a variety of forms and other routine materials. Enters, stores, sends and retrieves data using word processor, personal computer or other keyboard based electronic data management system.
• May serve as the recording secretary to the Electrical or Plumbing Advisory Board.
• Coordinates and trains in the process of online registration and submittals.

Minimum required education/experience: High School Diploma or GED and three (3) years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred education, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to apply word processing software and personal computer operation skills to assigned work.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, (Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Considerable experience in a customer service environment is essential as well as knowledge of construction terminology.
• Class C Maryland Driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residency.

Physical demands and work environment: 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 is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel, particularly computer keyboards. The employee may stand for lengthy periods of time at the Front Counter. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is typical of a busy office work environment.

Language skills, mathematical skills, and reasoning ability: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

To apply: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation. Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.