Permit Technician - Environmental Health Services

King County   Seattle, WA   Full-time     Accounting Taxes
Posted on February 4, 2025
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Salary

$31.74 - $40.23 Hourly

Location

Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA

Job Type

Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)

Job Number

2025SMD23771

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Environmental Health Svcs

Opening Date

02/03/2025

Closing Date

2/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

C9C : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-EnvHlth Pro

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Summary



Join our team! The Environmental Health Services Division of Seattle & King County Public Health is seeking to select one (1) candidate for a term limited temporary in the Permit Technician role. Seeking to select qualified candidates with excellent customer service and technical skills to support and perform a variety of duties focused on serving the public to help us meet our mission. The Permit Technician works as part of a team to collect and process permits, conduct in-take for plan review, letters, and site applications, and perform customer service-related duties.

The Environmental Health Division processes over 13,000 permits for food establishments, pools/spas, meat cutters, solid waste services, pet business, and plumbing and gas piping services (read more about the division below). The successful candidates in this position will be extremely motivated to provide excellent customer services in a fast-paced environment and independently prioritize a high volume of work while working as a member of a team. This position will report to the Program Supervisor for our Permit Technician team within the Environmental Health operations section at the Chinook/downtown offices. The Program is committed to the principles of racial equity and social justice and values diverse perspectives and life experiences in its workforce. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Through the work of over 190 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division (EHS) promotes healthy and equitable environmental conditions and prevents disease through sanitation, safe food, air, and water (drinking, surface, and recreational), and reduction of exposure to hazardous materials. In addition to permitting and inspecting public pools, spas, pet businesses, plumbing installations, on-site septic systems, and solid waste facilities, the Division also works in partnership with community to address unhealthy environmental conditions and leads the department's climate change efforts. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender or economic status. The Division's core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve. To learn more about EHS, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs .

This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Why Join Our Team?

This is an exciting opportunity to provide back-bone support to Environmental Health programs in a fast-paced customer service environment.

Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last one (1) year. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This position is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

The primary work location will be based at the Chinook Building located at 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

Job Duties



As an Environmental Health Permit Technician, you will:
  • Provide internal and external customer service; may include providing specialized and/or technical information that requires moderate interpretation of established codes, policies, regulations, procedures, and guidelines by email, phone and in person.
  • Process permit renewals, and provide application in-take for permits, re-inspection, plan review and other billings. May involve scanning a high volume of permits using a barcode scanner or manual data entry into database (currently EnvisionConnect).
  • Process change of ownership applications.
  • Answer a high-volume of incoming calls, that may include, intaking of complaints, permit adjustments, payment intake and triaging calls.
  • Upload documents into SharePoint.
  • Read and interpret maps and legal descriptions. Assure permits are issued to the correct parcel number and address.
  • Research property information using computer and paper files.
  • Accept applications and calculate correct fees for various Environmental Health applications. Process billings and refunds, and route requests appropriately.
  • Process letters and public disclosures requests.
  • Set up and monitor status of applications, coordinated with program staff to avoid backlogs and ensure applications are processed and followed-up on in a timely manner.
  • Monitor accounts for payment and coordinate collection process for unpaid accounts.
  • Compile data that may require information searches through files, including spreadsheets and/or customized database applications including financial research questions.
  • Prepare daily cash worksheet and daily reconciliations.
  • Run existing ad hoc reports using permit database and Excel.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills



Required:
  • Two (2) years of customer service experience demonstrating the ability to communicate with customers using discretion, patience, etiquette, and professionalism.
  • Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Experience with complex accounts receivables/payable functions.
  • Experience in automated financial and management information systems, word processors, spreadsheets, database, and similar software applications.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions; adjust to changes in workload demands; and research, gather and compile technical information from a variety of sources.
  • Strong organization, problem solving and researching skills.
  • Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including MS Office application such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Skill in maintaining data accuracy and integrity.
  • Strong math and analytical skills.
  • Excellent time management and priority setting skills; able to handle multiple tasks with extreme accuracy.
  • Skill in tracking and following through on assignments.
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new computer applications.
  • Knowledge and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to positively contribute in a team environment; actively listens to others and builds trust and confidence.
  • Ability to be reliable and dependable with assignments and work schedule.
  • Skill in teamwork and collaboration.
Desired:
  • Experience using EnvisionConnect.
  • Demonstrated Experience with complex reconciliations.
  • Bilingual in one of the most common non-English language groups in King County (includes Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, Amharic, Hindi and Punjabi).
  • Experience applying equity and social justice principles to work approach and implementation.

Supplemental Information



Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

Open to all eligible applicants.

Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
  • NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
  • Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
Cover letters and Resumes will NOT be used in the evaluation process. Please fill out the application and supplemental questions thoroughly.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements
  • The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
  • The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
  • For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring . For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en .
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
  • When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
  • If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.


Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC 17 labor union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov .



King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.