Permit Technician

The Permit Technician works as part of the Permit Center team dedicated to providing building permit intake, planning project intake, permit processing, review routing, and permit and contractor license issuance. This position serves as the first point of contact for both internal and external customers in the permitting process. Strong interpersonal skills are essential as these positions must be able to quickly assess customer needs and determine the best course of action to effectively resolve questions and issues. Permit Technicians may perform minor plan review and approvals or conduct research pertaining to projects during the intake process. The work of the Permit Center team impacts not only the Building Division but requires Permit Technicians to collaborate, support, and interact with other divisions and departments within the city such as Planning, Code Compliance, Engineering, Economic Development, Finance Department, Police Department, and Public Works.

The ideal candidate is detailed oriented, has strong organization skills, and enjoys assisting customers in a fast-paced environment, both on the phone and in person. This is a great opportunity for someone who is intrinsically motivated and has an interest in learning more about codes, permitting, and all things building related. 

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community south of Denver and is consistently voted as one of America’s Best Small Cities, and a top place to raise a family. Learn more about everything Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. Home to a vibrant and historic downtown, and a variety of shopping venues, restaurants, parks and trails, there is a lot to offer to the wonderful people who live and work here. The City of Littleton offers outstanding benefits and perks to our employees. For more information, please see the 2024 Benefit Guide.

The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent and our strategies include hiring in at market pay and creating career development opportunities. In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.

Hiring pay ranges:

Permit Technician I:      $26.28 - $29.04 per hour

Permit Technician II:     $26.28-29.04 per hour

This full-time position is non-exempt per FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.

Work Schedule:  This full-time position will work 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but preference will be given to complete applications received by September 26, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a front-line team member for walk-in and phone customers, addressing citizen inquiries and determining the best course of action.

• Answers general permit questions and may provide plan review comments and inspection status information for customers and refers those seeking other assistance to appropriate governmental agency or staff member.

• Electronically performs permit intake for completeness and routes inquiries to appropriate staff members and referral agencies.

• Reviews submittal documents to ensure completeness of application and informs applicant of information required for a complete submittal application.

• Electronically adjust/calculates permit valuations.

• Learns methods & procedures for permit approval & issuance to ensure compliance with codes, ordinances & planning.

• Assists in communications with internal departments, private citizens & company representatives regarding permit application & issuance procedures.

• Participates in meetings, conferences, or seminars.

• Serves as the first point of contact for customers to obtain assistance with permit policies and procedures.

• Screens calls and refers questions to appropriate staff or department. Updates and maintains statistical records, including but not limited to, land use trends, population trends, building permits, and development application activity.

• Makes revisions to or creates forms, pamphlets, or checklists to assist the public.

• Assists professional planning staff members in performing research and compiling data related to land use cases.

• May assist professional planning staff members in performing postings, publications, and property owner notifications.

• Provides basic property information and provides general information found in the Unified Land Use Code.

• Reviews accessory structure plans for conformance with the Unified Land Use Code.

• Electronically issues permits for approved plans and certificates of occupancy for completed permits or new businesses.

• Electronically processes over the counter permits and contractor license applications.

• Electronically processes payments, refund requests, and reconcile financials.

• Responds to Colorado Open Record Act requests.

• Coordinates coverage of the Permit Center with co-workers.

• Conducts research on building permit and inspection history for completion to validate TCO and CO issuance.

• May mentor others.

• Trains others in area of assignment.

• Performs other duties assigned.

• May serve as an Emergency Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications for Permit Technician I:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and

• Two (2) years of administrative and customer service experience with building and/or zoning codes or other governmental permitting processes; or

• An equivalent combination of clerical, secretarial or administrative education, training or work experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

Minimum Qualifications for Permit Technician II:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and

• One (1) year of experience as a Permit Technician demonstrating proficient knowledge and skills of a Permit Technician; and demonstrated ability to complete the following:

  • Exercise control and demonstrate ability to navigate and execute complex or difficult commercial submittals and related processes from application to completion.

  • Ability to readily and accurately provide detailed information and guidance to customers, generally without the assistance from supervisors or managers.

• Must have current ICC Permit Technician Certification.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a municipal government building department.

• ICC Permit Technician Certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of permitting policies and procedures.

• General knowledge of City of Littleton adopted municipal and building codes.

• Ability to read, understand, and convey information to the public concerning permitting procedures and policies.

• Ability to read building plans and documents.

• Advanced skill in permit software and word processing programs.

• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with others in the issuance of permits, certificates of occupancy and similar documents.

• Requires basic skills and abilities for analyzing data and problems, identifying relationships between issues, and executing established processes and procedures.

• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with others in the issuance of permits, certificates of occupancy and similar documents.

• Ability to effectively deal with difficult customers and exercise conflict resolution skills.

• Adaptability and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as contribute and work effectively as part of a team.

• Knowledge of engineering and planning-related permitting processes and procedures desired.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The essential duties/activities for this position are performed in a standard indoor office environment. Long periods of sitting, standing or walking may be required. This position generally requires occasional lifting, carrying, pulling and pushing objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other non-job related characteristic, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class.

The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing hr@littletongov.org.

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace

The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law.