Permit Technician

SUMMARY

In order to hire and maintain a quality workforce that reflects the diversity of the community and works well within our TrueNorth values-based organization, the Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services (DLS) is accepting applications for the position of Permit Technician who will provide a high level of customer service and perform a wide variety of technical duties to support the Permitting Services team.

The Permitting Services team is responsible for providing direct customer services in support of the functions of the Division. If you are customer obsessed and looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a detail-oriented team, we need you.

This Permit Technician can thrive in a team environment, enjoys working with the public and can establish and maintain effective relationship with our customers.

This is a hybrid position. You will be required to perform in-person customer service and in-office duties on a regular basis. The current in-office requirement is one to two days per week. This may change depending on workplace needs.

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.

To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work.  Our commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose.  Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

JOB DUTIES

Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

Permit & Business License application processing:

• Assist customers with application process. 
• Receive and screen application materials and determine application completeness. 
• Categorize applications, create system records, enter permit details, and route to subject matter experts. 
• Calculate and assess fees. 
• Track and update permit records using multiple software systems. 
• Verify permit issuance requirements are met, issue approved permits, and provide information to applicants. 
• Prepare legal documents including liens, agreements, financial guarantees/bond and 
• Process legal documents for recording. 

Customer Service:

• Assists customers in person, over the phone and by email. 
• Provide customer information about the permitting process and a wide variety of general questions including how to access online services, and permit status. 
• Identify problems, perform research, resolve issues, and communicate with customers. 
• Consult with other departments to resolve issues.
• Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County and the department. 

Permitting Services support:

• Run reports and process various notifications to applicants at various stages of the permitting process both electronically and by mail. 
• Crosstrain with other Permit Technicians to perform the various functions of the team. 

Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable:

• Process complex multi-step financial transactions including refunds and past due account collections.
• Maintain daily records of receipts and electronic payments. 
• Prepare bank deposits. 
• Research and resolve discrepancies. 
• Respond to customer disputes. 
• Process monthly billings for permit fees and civil penalties involving verifying information, printing, stuffing envelopes, mailing invoices, and responding to customer inquiries. 
• Procurement, pay vendors, reconcile accounts, using Oracle EBS. 

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Can demonstrate an overall understanding and involvement with building and land use permit processing procedures.
• 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, SharePoint, or other software applications relative to the position. 
• Professional accounting or bookkeeping knowledge and experience performing accounts payable, accounts receivable, processing payments and bank deposits, and entry of complex multi-step financial transactions using software tools. 
• 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, with various deadlines. 
• Very detail oriented, organized, flexible, and able to proactively prioritize work while handling multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities that can change often. 
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. 
• Candidates must have demonstrated punctuality, dependability, and good attendance in previous job experience.
• Success working in continuous improvement environment.

 Desired Qualifications:

• Professional experience within a public agency providing service related to permit application processing.
• Experienced using Oracle software.
• Experience using Accela or other permitting software to initialize permit records, calculate fees, update workflow and permit details, and process financial transactions. 
• Experience using SharePoint and/or Bluebeam. 
• Experience using MyBuildingPermit.com or other 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.

 Requirements:

• Must be able to move from workstation to workstation, sitting, standing, and reaching throughout the workday in a fast-paced environment.

Permit Technician

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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.