Permit Specialist

Full Job Description

Applications Accepted From: ALL PERSON INTERESTED

Service Line/Section: Houston Permitting Center/Building Code Enforcement/Permits
Reporting Location: 1002 Washington Ave.
Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM*
*Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Houston Permitting Center (HPC) is looking for a Permit Specialist to join our team in an office-based role supporting our customers. This individual is an important team member that guides customers through their permitting challenges and solves problems each day. As a Permit Specialist, you serve as the face of the HPC and as a link between other City staff in plan review, engineering, inspections, and IT.

At the Houston Permitting Center, our work moves fast, and our goal is to deliver exceptional service to our customers in person, online, and over the phone. A day in the life of a Permit Specialist is highly variable based on customer needs and volume. Some days you will be on the frontline, serving customers in person, and other days you will be in the back office serving customers via email, phone, and live chat.

In this position, you will be responsible for:

• Processing permit applications – Assist customers with applying for a variety of permits, such as building, piers, demolition, and trades. Ensures all permit applications and related documents are complete, accurate and in compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Set up permit fees – Set up the permit fees within the permitting system and issue sales order for payment in person or online.
• License and bond registration – process first-time license registrations and renewals for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and earth hauling contractors, and verifying sidewalk and driveway bonds
• Addressing and name changes – assign and verify addresses of buildings and other structures to ensure coordination between utilities and emergency services. Update projects for changes to the address, contractor, applicant, or occupant.
• Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance – process requests for Certificates of Occupancy or Compliance for new construction projects

Customer support and education – respond to inquiries for general information on permitting processes and procedures through the email, live chat, and over the phone.

Assist with the release of holds and other project issues. Collaborate with Communications to create or deliver training and other materials to educate customers on the permitting process.

• Technical support – Liaise between IT staff and customers to resolve technical issues with the permitting systems and/or facilitate remedies.
• Serving in a lead capacity – may serve as a shift leader for other Permits Techs and Aides to monitor daily workflow, assist with scheduling, and provide guidance to less experience team members. Help create and maintain training materials and knowledge articles.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Your effectiveness in this position will depend on your ability to:

Communicate clearly and professionally – Our customer base is diverse, not just in languages spoken, but also in construction and permitting experience.

A Permit Specialist must communicate with respect, courtesy, and clarity in a variety of service channels, and know how to adapt their communication style to meet customer needs.

Think critically and problem solve – Resolving permitting issues on behalf of customers can be complex and requires a Permit Specialist to build strong working relationships internally and across city departments. They just be able to take ownership and use good judgement to resolve problems.

Understand general construction principles and practices - Understands the functions of all sections requiring permits, such as Water, Planning, Flood, Storm HAS, Traffic, Fire, Sprinklers, Haz-Mat, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Health-Food and Health-Pool.

Adapt to change – The Houston Permitting Center is undergoing rapid change, moving away from legacy permitting system to a modern, workflow-driven permitting system. The selected candidate must be willing to embrace new technology and processes

We’re committed to your success, but we expect our team members to be equally invested. We’re looking for someone who’s not afraid of a challenge and eager to grow with us.

Who are we
When you join the Houston Permitting Center, you’ll be part of a dedicated team that provide services for safe community development through the permitting, plan review, and inspection of public and private construction. Our team members issue over 400,000 permits, review 77,000 projects, and conduct 800,000 inspections every year. The Houston Permitting Center is committed to our department’s Five to Thrive values as principles that guide
our work with customers and team members – Respect, Ownership, Communication, Integrity, and Teamwork. We intend to “roc” it every day!

WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is physically comfortable most of the time with occasional periods of stooping, bending and/or light lifting of materials up to 10 pounds. Requires the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli within moderately demanding tolerances.
There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions. The individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier III Level.

Requirements

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have some of the following skills or experience:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification or willing to obtain certification within six months of employment
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal skills
• Proficient in using technology
• Experience using ILMS/iPermits, ProjectDox, Infor, or similar electronic permitting and plan review systems
• Experience using live chat or customer experience (CX) software, such as Oracle Service Cloud or Microsoft Dynamics

You don’t have to check every preference box to be a great candidate. So long as you bring your passion for people and problem solving, we’ll invest in you to take care of the rest. If you think you’ve got what it takes, we encourage you to apply.

**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 skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

No - If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

Pay Grade: 16

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during the 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.cfmor call (832-395-6032).

If you need login assistance/technical support call 855-524-5627. If you need special services or accommodation, call (832-393-6737), (TTY 7-1-1).

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

Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume along with their completed application when applying. For further information pertaining to the Houston Airport System, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDWLV_sJFoM.

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.