Senior Permit Technician

The City of Costa Mesa is seeking a dedicated and skilled Senior Permit Technician to join our talented Community Development team in the Building Safety Division!

SALARY:
Current: $90,612 - $121,428 Annually
Effective July 2027:  $93,336 - $125,076 Annually 

WHY WORK FOR COSTA MESA:

The City of Costa Mesa, with the motto "City of the Arts", is one of California's most eclectic and vibrant cities.  Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean and in the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa is a great place to live, work and play.  The City offers exceptional employee benefits, opportunities for training and development, and prides itself on its Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, Compassion, Innovation, Inclusion and Collaboration.

THE POSITION:

The Senior Permit Technician performs advanced technical, administrative, and lead-level work related to the processing of building, planning, and other development-related permits; independently coordinates the most complex, unusual, or sensitive permit-processing assignments; reviews and processes building permit applications and provides information and assistance to applicants, property owners, contractors, design professionals, and the public regarding building permitting requirements, procedures, and application status; resolves escalated permit-processing and customer-service matters; and provides information and assistance regarding established permitting requirements, procedures, and application status; and, performs related work as assigned. Matters requiring professional plan review, engineering analysis, planning analysis, inspection determinations, substantive code interpretation, or discretionary approval are referred to appropriate professional or technical staff. 

Senior Permit Technician is the advanced journey level classification in the City’s Building Permit Technician series. Incumbents perform the full range of permit-processing duties associated with assisting property owners, developers, contractors, and other members of the public regarding requests pertaining to the building permit process and permit activity. Employees at this level are assigned the most complex, unusual, escalated, or sensitive, or difficult permit-processing assignments, including matters involving multiple departmental reviews, unusual permit histories or processing requirements, conflicting or incomplete information, or escalated customer-service issues. Employees at this level are expected to work with a high degree of independence within established policies, procedures, codes, and assigned authority. 

The Senior Permit Technician is distinguished from the Building Technician II in that the latter performs the full range of journey-level building-permit processing assignments within established guidelines, while the Senior Permit Technician has specialized expertise, knowledge, and skill in processing permits and regularly handles the most complex or unusual processing assignments; provides technical and functional guidance to permit staff; reviews work for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to established procedures; assists with training; and coordinates resolution of escalated or multi-departmental permit-processing problems. 

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Plans Examiner. The Senior Permit Technician provides technical guidance and assistance to lower-level staff. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable judgement and independence in resolving customer service issues and completing assigned building permit processing. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, completed planning analyses, application processing, and evaluation of results.

Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged.
Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Do not include "see attached resume" in your responses, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Additional documents will not be reviewed during the application evaluation process. If selected to proceed further in the recruitment process, an opportunity to provide work samples, letters of recommendation, etc. will be appropriate during the interview process.

Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  The selection process may include but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation.  Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process. The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list from this recruitment may be utilized to fill lower-level vacancies which occur during the life of the list. 

These functions may not be present in all positions in this class. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

 

Independently processes and coordinates complex building, planning, and other development-related permit transactions; processes and reviews permit applications for compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Provides general and technical information and assistance to applicants, property owners, developers, contractors, architects, and the public at the building permit counter, by e-mail and by telephone regarding established permit application requirements and processes, plan-review submittal requirements, building codes and regulations, permit fees, procedures, and application status; and, explains established code-related permit requirements within assigned authority and refers matters requiring substantive or professional interpretation to appropriate staff.

Receives, coordinates, and reviews the most complex building permit applications and related drawings for accuracy, completeness and compliance with established regulations; issues and records approved building permits within assigned authority; calculates and collects fees; reconciles daily receipts; categorizes permits by type, valuation, assessment and other features; and, issues inspection cards.

Receives complex and unusual plan-check submittals; routes plans as appropriate; coordinates multi-departmental review; receives approved plans; verifies completion of required reviews and approvals; calculates fees; and, informs customers of project status by researching an automated system, logs and/or files.

Refers customers to appropriate planning, inspection, plan check, and engineering staff as necessary for matters that require detailed technical review and explanation.

Resolves escalated customer service matters including, but not limited to: listening to customer concerns, identifying the underlying issue, researching applicable requirements and City processes, coordinating with appropriate staff, explaining available options, and working towards timely and appropriate resolution.

Provides technical and functional direction to permit staff; assists in the training and reviews the work of others to help ensure the quality of work.

Enters, updates, and retrieves permit status information in permit tracking database; conducts research on past and current file activity; prepares statistical or routine reports of departmental activity such as permits issued and fees collected.

Calculates fees in accordance with established fee schedules and determines that all fees have been paid prior to permit issuance and/or occupancy and utility releases.

Provides back-up support for permit-processing and related administrative functions, or other similar occupational fields, when operationally necessary.

Files permits and plans; prepares permits and plans for archival scanning; assembles files and other requested information for public records requests.

May assemble, prepare, and disseminate factual and administrative materials for staff meetings, internal committees and other publicly- noticed decisions.

Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the advanced journey/lead technical scope of the classification. 

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or its equivalent. Two years of college coursework or training directly related to the required knowledge and abilities. 

Three years of increasingly responsible municipal building-permit processing experience including experience in the interpretation and application of rules and regulations including experience working with complex permits and handling customer service issues and complaints.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver's License by the date of appointment. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Possession of a Permit Technician certification as issued by the International Code Council is highly desirable. 

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS:

Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, technology, and terminology related to building, planning and other development permit processing.

Knowledge of municipal government functions, permitting software, office practices, records management, and customer service practices.

Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, codes and regulations applicable to urban planning, building, community development, and zoning processes.

Knowledge of building construction methods, terminology, plans, techniques and practices sufficient to identify project scope, determine established permit-processing requirements, and recognize matters requiring referral.

Knowledge of basic research methods, data collection, statistical analysis, and report preparation.

Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, permit tracking systems, internet research tools, and GIS or mapping software.

Skill in reading and interpreting basic site plans, floor plans, elevations, maps, aerial imagery, and construction drawings.

Skill in preparing clear and concise written permit-related correspondence, reports, tables, exhibits, graphics, and other planning materials.

Skill in organizing and maintaining accurate records, files, databases, and permit tracking information.

Skill in communicating clearly, professionally, and accurately with City staff, applicants, property owners, consultants, public agencies, and the general public, including during complex or escalated interactions.

REQUISITE ABILITIES:

Ability to learn, interpret, and apply provisions of the Building and Zoning Codes and other applicable regulations, and to recognize matters requiring professional or technical referral.

Ability to read, comprehend, interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, codes and policies regarding building construction and permit issuance procedures.

Ability to perform job functions using permitting software commonly used in municipalities, assist laypersons and colleagues in navigating said software, and improve upon permitting software functions.

Ability to read and interpret construction blueprints, plans and specifications to determine conformance to code.

Ability to provide or convey information regarding building permit application processes clearly, concisely, accurately, and in a courteous manner.

Ability to review applications for completeness and compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

Ability to conduct research, compile information, analyze data, and prepare findings in written, tabular, graphic, and map form.

Ability to assist in the preparation of reports, notices, correspondence, and public hearing materials.

Ability to use GIS, permit tracking systems, databases, records search software, and standard office technology.

Ability to organize work, manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and follow established procedures.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and considerable independence within established policies and procedures.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and present technical information succinctly in a relatable an interesting manner, orally and in writing.

Ability to maintain a positive, service-oriented attitude and establish effective, cooperative working relationships with City employees, applicants, other agencies, and the general public.

Ability to provide quality customer service by furnishing accurate, up-to-date information in a timely manner; listening and responding positively to citizen complaints and handling difficult interactions in a constructive manner.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or disaster. 

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.