Permit Application Center Supervisor (Engineering Technician III)

Fairfax County boasts a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, thousands of acres of parkland, and bustling town centers. County government sits at the heart of this dynamic community of almost 1.2 million residents and seeks employees eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and skills to serve Fairfax residents and to shape the county's future. Land Development Services (LDS) is the steward of the county's land development and building construction codes and regulations, and its staff members embrace their essential role as "first preventers." Every day, through careful review, permitting and inspection of site and building construction, our staff protect the health, safety, welfare, and environment for those who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County. Our department also serves as the gateway to much of the county's economic development, reviewing over 30,000 building and site plan submissions, issuing nearly 70,000 building permits, and conducting over 220,000 building and site inspections each year. If you would like to join a creative, collaborative, innovative team doing meaningful work, then LDS is the place for you.

Fairfax County Land Development Services is seeking an experienced Permit Application Center Supervisor to lead a team of Engineering Technicians in the review and issuance of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and land disturbance permits. This role ensures consistent application of codes, delivers exceptional customer service, and helps maintain efficient permit processing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, and mentor Permit Technicians; oversee daily assignments, coverage, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure accurate and consistent application of applicable codes, ordinances, policies, and standards.
• Review complex commercial and residential permit applications, engineering drawings, and supporting documents for compliance.
• Coordinate permit submissions and technical issues with internal departments and external agencies, including Health Department, Planning & Zoning, and Fire Marshal.
• Serve as the first level of appeal and key point of contact for customers, contractors, engineers, and developers.
• Deliver strong customer service through in-person, phone, and virtual channels; help customers navigate the permitting system and submission requirements.
• Conduct daily quality control of pending applications to verify eligibility for permit issuance.
• Provide specialized training related to code changes, policies, procedures, and system updates.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding of staff; prepare statistical permit reports as required.
• Utilize and adapt to emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance productivity and workflow.
• Ensure safety expectations are communicated and upheld; comply with all required emergency and safety training.

Position may be underfilled as an Engineering Technician II; the Underfill Requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to high school graduation or a G.E.D. issued by a state department of education; plus, four years of engineering technical support work.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
VDHCD Permit Technician certification.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This vacancy may be underfilled at the level of Engineering Technician II (Grade S19, $55,417 - $96,979). The employment standards for the Engineering Technician II are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to high school graduation or a G.E.D. issued by a state department of education; plus, three years of engineering technical support work. Click here to view the complete details and KSAs for the Engineering Technician II. Upon completion of an underfill agreement (which will require that the employee meet the employment standards stated above in addition to obtaining competencies defined by the hiring agency) the employee will be elevated to the level of Engineering Technician III. 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in engineering technical support
• Experience in the field of land development
• Experience leading and/or supervising a team
• Strong customer service skills and/or public contact experience.
• Advanced knowledge/experience with Fairfax County permitting and plan review processes.
• Experience with electronic permitting and plan review software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate technical topics to internal and external customers.
• Ability to read/interpret construction documents.
• Familiar with the Virginia Construction Code, the ICC Family of Codes, the local Building Code and/or other Fairfax County Ordinances.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to operate computer driven equipment. Ability to orally/verbally communicate with clients. Ability to sit for an extended period of time. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.  

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.  [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY. 

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