Permit Technician
- Summary
The Permitting Division of the King County Department of Local Services is recruiting for a Permit Technician who will provide customer service while working with the public online and in our fast-paced customer service center. The Permit Technician performs a wide variety of technical and specialized duties in support of the Permitting Services work group.
Our ideal candidate works well in a team environment, enjoys working with the public, and will establish and maintain effective relationships while being customer service focused.
KING COUNTY COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
King County employees provide more than 2 million residents with essential services that make this one of the nation's best places to live, work, play, and raise a family. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
King County is the local service provider for roughly a quarter-million people who live in unincorporated parts of the county. If all of these residents lived together in a single city, it would be the second-largest city in the state. The population of our urban unincorporated areas is three-to-four times more diverse than those of our rural unincorporated areas in terms of race, language spoken, and income. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, a Community Service Areas group, a Road Services Division, and a Permitting Division. It provides a single point of accountability for delivery of local services to all unincorporated areas in King County.- Job Duties
- Permit & business license application processing: Receive and screen application materials. Verify details, determine application acceptance, and assist customers with application process both online and in person. Categorize applications, create system records, and enter required permit details. Calculate and assess fees. Sort and route application materials. Track and update permit records received in person and online using multiple systems. Verify permit issuance requirements are met, issue approved permits, and provide information to applicants. Process and track legal documents.
- Permitting services support: Provide inspection services support to customers and inspectors. Assist customers with available online services. Review permits that receive final inspection approval, check permit details and requirements, complete the steps to close permits, update system, and prepare records. Research permit details, process notifications and make determinations to resolve expiring or expired permits. Calculate fees, receive and review extension applications, make determinations, and issue permit extensions. Prepare and issue Certificates of Occupancy.
- Communication: Provide clear verbal and written communication to customers and staff. Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County and the department.
- Receivables: Calculate and assess fees. Process payments received using specialized computer software system. Maintain daily records of cash receipts and electronic payments. Research and resolve discrepancies. Process refunds, past due account collection - run reports, research and verify data, prepare documentation and transmittals, communicate with other departments, maintain records. Respond to customer disputes. Process legal documents including financial guarantees and liens.
- Billing: Process monthly billings involving verifying information, printing, stuffing envelopes, mailing invoices and responding to customer inquiries.
- Cashiering: Open and close daily cashier operations. Collect payments and process complex multi-step transactions in permitting system with accuracy. Perform cash handling in accordance with established procedures and policies. Perform reconciliation of daily transactions and balance cash drawer. Prepare bank deposits.
- Customer Inquiries: Respond to customers via phone, in person, and through e-mail. Provide customer information about the permitting process requirements, fees, collections enforcement referrals, business licenses, general inspection questions, permit status, and a wide variety of general questions. Research and identify problems. Consult with other departments to resolve issues and communicate with customers. Keep detailed records.
- Inspection Services Support: Work closely with supervisors and inspectors to respond to customer inquiries regarding permitting and inspection requirements. Research and resolve problems, update records. Assist customers with online services.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience providing excellent customer service including analyzing, researching and solving complex problems while maintaining positive customer relationships.
- Solid computer skills including intermediate level using Excel, Word, Outlook, or other software applications relative to the position.
- Professional experience performing cash handling and reconciliation of daily transactions, electronic payments, and bank deposits.
- Professional experience with billing, or accounts receivable, and entry of complex multi-step transactions using specialized software.
- Ability to use initiative and judgment interpreting policies, rules, and guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in an environment with multiple shared responsibilities and with various deadlines.
- Organized, flexible, and able to proactively prioritize work while handling multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities that change often.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Candidates must have demonstrated punctuality, dependability, and good attendance in previous job experience.
- Professional experience within a public agency providing service related to permit application processing and issuance.
- Can demonstrate an overall understanding and involvement with building and land use permit processing procedures.
- Experience using Accela or other permitting software to initialize permit records, calculate fees, update workflow and permit details, and process financial transactions.
- Experience using MyBuildingPermit.com.
- Experience using SharePoint and/or Bluebeam
- Experience using online permitting system software and related business processes in support of electronic permitting.
- Knowledge of rules, regulations, codes, laws and/or policies relative to the position.
- Success working in continuous improvement environment.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds, including large rolled plans.- Supplemental Information
Interviews are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2019. Please make yourself available to interview on this day.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants. If you are a King County employee in a Career Service position, you may be eligible for a Special Duty assignment.
WORK SCHEDULE: This full-time position is overtime eligible. The position is paid on a bi-weekly schedule every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour work week. The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 4:30.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply for this career opportunity, you must provide three application components: 1) your resume, 2) a cover letter, and 3) a completed King County application form, which is available online. You may attach your resume, and cover letter to the on-line application. To apply, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs then click the "Current King County Employment Opportunities" link. From there, click the Permit Technician position for the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. Finally, click the "Apply" link on the far right to initiate the application.
If you do not have access to a computer or are unable to apply online, please call the department's Human Resources office at 206-477-0380.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS: Applicants who are found to meet the minimum qualifications will be further reviewed for competitive quality. Those applicants who possess the most competitive background in directly related experience, knowledge, and training may be contacted for interviews. Job-related reference checks will be conducted prior to any offer of employment.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by PROTECT17
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Theresa Reynolds
Senior Human Resource Analyst
206-477-0380
theresa.reynolds@kingcounty.gov
King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. The Department of Local Services encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
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:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- 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: King County employees are eligible to 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
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
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. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
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.