Coordinates and performs permitting and planning project tracking, counter, and community education duties independently according to applicable City ordinances. Provides information to the public about land development requirements and permit processing; serves as staff to planning groups, planning commission, and committees for matters such as agendas, research, packets, and minutes. Issues approved permits, provides receipts and collects fees. Records permit data and function as a hub for day-to-day administration. This position is responsible for coordinating reviews, acceptance and timely processing of all land use, building, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and public works permit applications and for providing the public with technical information regarding the city’s policies, building codes, permitting, and development review processes.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Advise members of the general public, property owners, architects, engineers, developers, and others regarding City planning and development policies, procedures and standards. Communicate and explain requirements of building, zoning and related codes and ordinances.
2. Receive, assess, and respond to complaints and inquiries on property conditions and other matters; forward complaints to appropriate resources.
3. Coordinate and perform duties to staff the Planning Commission, including matters such as attending meetings and preparing minutes.
4. Review applications and construction plans for complete application. Issue permits for decks, re-roofs, building, plumbing, mechanical and related work. Calculate and collect fees.
5. Accept plan check applications. Calculate and collect fees, assign document number, tag plans, identify required plan corrections with correct code requirements, and route plans for review; manages project review comments and communication, acting as a liaison between the applicant and reviewers; monitors and coordinates review of plans; prepares correspondence to the applicant regarding reviewer comments and additional submittal requirements.
6. Perform a variety of permitting and office duties, including report preparations, research, filing, posting, word processing and data entry, scanning file documents maintain, modify, and update permit data base programs, inputs information into permit tracking database, and verifies completeness of data.
7. Serves as the main point of contact for customers, interested parties and staff to check on the status of reviews; provides forms and submittal checklists for all development and permit application types.
8. Prepare, maintain and update building-related files and records; maintain and update computer system. Train new staff as necessary to operate the permit tracking software.
9. Verifies permit issuance readiness and issues permits; ensures that all essential reviews have taken place and issues have been resolved prior to permit issuance; calculate and document permitting and land use fees at submittal and prior to permit issuance.
10. Coordinate building permitting processes including inspections and appointments for inspectors and administrative personnel. Coordinate occupancy inspections with other agencies.
11. May perform portions of work of other classified positions occasionally, as assigned.
12. May perform duties of similar complexity in any City department as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Requires High School Degree or GED equivalent and ability to keep current on new building and planning developments, and NPDES developments. Requires a minimum of five years of customer service experience, including two years dealing directly with the public in a building, planning or construction-related office. Additionally, requires understanding of common construction practices and construction materials.

Licenses and other requirements: Require certification as Permit Technician from ICC or equivalent. Valid Washington State driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Must have mathematical knowledge of basic algebra and geometry.
• Must be able to quickly acquire knowledge of the organization’s purpose, functions and procedures; applicable City procedures and practices; and applicable standards dictated by regulatory agencies. This includes the ability to read and interpret construction plans and determine compliance with various codes. Must be able to read and interpret maps.
• Must be very detail-orientated and accurate, for example, with numbers and street locations and be able to function as a self-directed resource with multi-tasking and changing priorities.
• Must have a sound knowledge and ability in English business correspondence (usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation) to be able to complete business letters and reports.
• Knowledgeable of record keeping and records management procedures.

Ability to:

• Must be able to operate a computer. Must be proficient in Microsoft programs (including, but not limited to Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.) and able to learn City-specific programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Must have effective people skills with the ability to assess situations, diffuse irate customers, develop recommendations, and work as a team member or team leader.
• Requires ability to interpret and apply planning ordinances and building codes.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY: Performs regular and recurring duties with only general supervision, and exercises latitude and judgment in the application of general procedures and policies. Receives closer supervision when performing new and complex work. Responsibility for thoroughness and competency is most important due to potential disruption of division operations and adverse citizen relations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed indoors in an office setting with occasional field duties. Regular attendance is an essential function.

PHYSICAL: Ability to sit at workstation for extended periods, frequently using a computer. Ability to stand, walk, and drive as needed throughout day. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and put away parcels weighing up to 20 pounds. Ability to simultaneously monitor phone, email, and front counter activity, throughout day while performing other duties. Position requires hearing, seeing, talking and repetitive motions of hands and wrists. Frequent sitting or standing.

OTHER: The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility; but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individual may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Following an offer of employment, and prior to starting work, individuals may be required to have a pre-employment physical examination by a physician designated by the City of Anacortes. The City will pay for the examination. Satisfactory clearance to perform essential job functions will be required for employment. As an absolute condition of employment, employees are required upon hire to sign a drug-free workplace agreement and an agreement not to use tobacco products in any form while on the job.

The City of Anacortes is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, creed, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), marital status, families with children, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, sexual orientation including gender identity, or status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, or any other class protected by federal, state, or local law. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.