Permit Technician

Posting:  Open Until Filled

Salary: Commensurate with experience

At the City of Atlanta, we are passionate about building and improving our community.  Our police officers, firefighters and building inspectors keep our citizens safe. Our Public Works staff keeps our City clean and helps maintain, build and improve our City’s infrastructure.  Our City planners help envision and shape future City growth. Our Parks & Recreation professionals enhance our quality of life.

Our engineers help keep our drinking water clean, the largest airport in the world (by passenger volume) operating and our buildings maintained.  Along with the host of Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources professionals whose support is vital, we are the City of Atlanta!   If you are seeking a meaningful role where you can make a real difference improving and growing our City, we welcome you to explore the job opportunities we have to offer.

General Description and Classification Standards

 Responsible for providing administrative and technical support in one of the following areas: Permitting, Plan Review, Inspections, and general operations. The Permit Technician will work within assigned areas, support the office business, and provide customer service to both internal and external customers. Duties are performed with considerable initiative and independent judgment under the direction of the division manager. The incumbent must ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the City’s core values, beliefs, and culture. 

Supervision Received

 Work under general supervision. However, must be able to work independently with minimal supervision individually or in a team as directed. Reports to Supervisor/Manager, Assistant Director, or Director. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

 Interviews and provides information to applicants regarding building permit and general requirements of the permit process. Reviews plans, permit applications, and other pertinent information at the public counter in order to verify accuracy and completeness and compliance with established codes, ordinances, policies and procedures. Routes plans to appropriate agencies for approval. Receives and assembles approved plans. Coordinate issuance of building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other related permits. Collaborate with customers to schedule inspections. Maintains computer files and other manual logs on all building permits and related documents; Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. Updates and maintains contractor registration files for current state and local licensing requirements. Performs records research in order to document project history compliance; coordinates permit processes with outside agencies to ensure that all permit requirements are being met. Use architectural and engineering scale to determine dimensions and calculate areas and percentages as needed. CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION 

Decision Making

 Follow standardized procedures, building codes, and written/verbal instructions to accomplish assigned tasks. Must be able to process information on hand and decide on next steps to complete tasks and/or resolve issues. Determines when to escalate issues to supervisor when required. 

Leadership Provided

 May provide guidance and training as required to lower level, interns, temporary employees, etc. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of overall permitting process to assist customers, including but not limited to Zoning, Plan Review, Arborists, and Inspections; Knowledge of building codes, ordinances, regulations, laws and rules; Must be able to navigate internet without assistance and have general knowledge of PC use/navigation. Be familiar with construction documents (CD’s) and able to recognize elements within CD’s for further research and interpretation for permitting related activities. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of customer service. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Use independent judgment and make sound decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies. Works effectively and efficiently under stress and meet deadlines as required. Works collaboratively with team members to resolve customer challenges. Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City to assume the assigned responsibilities. Ability to read and interpret construction blueprints, plans and specifications. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, other officials, representatives of other government agencies, developers, and the general public. Ability to provide information and to answer questions pertaining to city planning procedures in a tactful and courteous manner to the general public. Ability to gather relevant information to solve practical problems.