ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Full Job Description

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Division: Development Services - Permitting Center
Reporting Location: 1002 Washington Avenue
Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm* - Subject to change*

Bring your passion for public service and improving the Houston community to our team as an Administrative Manager at the Houston Permit Center, Planning & Development Services.

The work we do has a lasting impact on the future of our city.

Houston is a place where the cost of living is more than 25% below the top 20 metro average, and with no state income tax, home ownership is very achievable.

As the fourth largest and most ethnically diversity city in the U.S., Houston has first-class access to medical care, recreation, food, festivals, sports, museums, and the performing arts.

ABOUT US

The City of Houston’s Planning & Development Department is a key player in the mayor’s efforts to improve public safety and infrastructure, enhance the quality of life, and maintain an efficient government that works for more than 2 million residents.

Much like Houston itself, we are a culturally diverse team that is committed to improving Houston’s built environment.

Our team draws and retains passionate, curious, life-long learners, and big picture thought leaders who make a difference every day by balancing the needs and interests of the community we serve.

We strive to operate as a customer-focused, goal-oriented, and efficient organization.

We treat ourselves, our partners, and our customers with respect while placing continuous learning at the center of our operations.

The Houston Permitting Center located at 1002 Washington Avenue combines most of the City of Houston's permitting and licensing into one convenient location.

Opened in June 2011, its mission is to help customers achieve their goals while complying with the City’s regulations.

Providing excellent service, streamlining business processes, implementing innovative technologies, and proactively engaging customers are all cornerstones of our mission.

POSITION PROFILE:

The Administrative Manager at the Houston Permit Center, Planning & Development Services, leads and oversees the Site Plan Review team within the Houston Permitting Center.

As Administrative Manager, you will manage departmental processes, staff, and key projects related to the review of development site plans in compliance with municipal regulations and codes.

Your leadership ensures efficient service delivery to internal and external stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Section Leadership & Supervision

• Manage the Site Plan Review team: schedule, supervise, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and training.
• Serve as hiring authority for team roles and manage staffing, timecards/personnel processes.

Operational Oversight

• Develop and monitor section goals, performance metrics, and budgets.
• Lead planning and coordination of permit review workflows—ensuring timely, complete, and code-compliant site plan review.

Plan Review Guidance

• Ensure submitted development site plans meet requirements—e.g., plats, surveys, landscape and parking forms, dimensions, setbacks, utility access.
• Coordinate interaction with Planning & Development, Public Works, Fire, Health, and other HPC lines of business.

Policy & Procedure Management

• Implement and update review standards based on City code (Chapters 26, 33, 42) and internal procedures.
• Develop staff-facing documents, training materials, and performance reports.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a liaison to applicants, developers, City divisions, external agencies, and vendors.
• Provide subject-matter expertise and respond to escalated questions, conflicts, or system issues.

Project & Budget Oversight

• Coordinate site-plan-related projects, e.g., new process rollouts, software/system upgrades, or cross-departmental initiatives.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages major departmental function; establishes goals and evaluates section performance, develops and evaluates subordinates, develops and manages budget.
• Directs and reviews the development, implementation and maintenance of specific department projects and/or policies.
• May manage department financial operations, including budget planning, revision, integration and oversight, project cost analysis, expenditure control and accounting procedures.
• Coordinates special projects, including planning, research, presentations, promotions and evaluation.
• May direct and review vendor monitoring and evaluation.
• Directs staff services, including personnel, purchasing and public relations.
• Interviews job applicants and oversees department payroll/personnel procedures for assigned department; maintains department personnel and attendance records.
• Investigates special problems encountered by employees; responds to calls from the general public that extend beyond the normal scope of subordinates.
• Provides leadership, guidance, training and advice to subordinates.

CORE COMPENTENCIES:

Leadership & Management

• Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate staff.
• Strong decision-making skills in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience building high-performance teams and fostering continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence

• Process development and optimization.
• Experience managing high-volume administrative or permitting operations.
• Data-driven performance management and KPI tracking.

Communication & Collaboration

• Ability to communicate complex development regulations to developers, public, and internal departments.
• Strong conflict resolution and customer service skills.
• Experience coordinating work across multiple agencies (P&D, HPW, HFD, legal, utilities).

Analytical & Problem Solving

• Ability to review technical documents and identify compliance issues.
• Skill in identifying bottlenecks and implementing improvements.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and quality assurance.

Project & Change Management

• Ability to lead cross-departmental initiatives.
• Experience implementing new processes, technologies, or regulations.
• Strong ability to manage competing priorities.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of papers or books (up to 20 pounds or an equivalent weight) may be required. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal.

This is a Planning and Development Department Position at the Tier III Level

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Political Science, Psychology or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Six years of pertinent, progressive professional experience in personnel, administration, accounting or a closely related field are required.

A Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a field closely related to the work being performed may be substituted for two years of experience.

Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Qualifications

CERTIFICATIONS:

Project & Process Management

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Additional Information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. The department may administer a skill assessment.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION
No

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade: 26

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-6049

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-6049. (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.