Permit Center Supervisor

Permit Center Supervisor

We are seeking a highly motivated, organized, and customer-service-oriented individual to join our team as the Permit Center Supervisor. This is a middle-management supervisory classification within the Community Development Department responsible for planning, organizing, and leading the day-to-day operations of the Permit Center.

The ideal candidate will supervise staff assisting customers with planning, building, development, and permit processes, while also providing expert technical knowledge in building, zoning code administration, and development review. If you possess the required technical knowledge and are ready to lead a vital city service center, we encourage you to apply!

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens. The organization, staffed with 411 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork, and dedication to public service and our community.

Under general direction, responsible for planning, organizing, and leading the day-to-day operations of the Permit Center, supervises staff assigned to assist customers with successfully interfacing with the City's planning, building, development, and permit processes; provides technical expertise in building and / or zoning code administration, and development review processes; reviews permit applications, and supporting documents for proper form; issues permits as authorized; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from the Community Development Director and Chief Building Official. Exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned staff.

This is a single-position supervisory classification in the Building Division of the Community Development Department. The incumbent is responsible for the supervision of permit center staff, the daily operations of the permit center, and the customer service counter, and assists with planning, building, and engineering services and functions.

This class is distinguished from the Permit Technician classification in that it is responsible for supervising, planning, organizing, and coordinating the operations and activities of staff at the Permit Center, and for handling the most complex planning, engineering, and building functions. This class is further distinguished from the Chief Building Official in that the latter has full management and supervisory authority in planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of operations within the division.

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Selects, trains, coaches, and evaluates staff; organizes and directs work ensuring the smooth operation of permit center / customer services.
• Provides direct oversight of all permit functions including proper coordination and review of all applications received; ensures that all permits / applications are processed timely, accurately, and in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.
• Calculates permit and mitigation fees, and provides fee estimates as requested; collects, records, and balances permit-related monetary transactions; and tracks fee deferrals and bonds related to development projects.
• Provides information regarding zoning, subdivision plans, and building ordinances, procedures, and requirements to the public including homeowners, developers, and contractors in person and over the telephone.
• Conducts zoning and building permit processing; reviews permit applications, plans, specifications, and supporting documents for completeness and compliance with legal standards and City requirements; calculates and reviews permit fees; prepares bills, collects fees, and issues receipts; issues permits following established guidelines.
• Completes planning and building site review approval process on site plans; reviews and approves plans and accompanying documents on over-the-counter permits; routes information to appropriate City departments.
• Performs general administrative duties in support of the Community Development Department; establishes and maintains filing systems; creates and modifies forms; types, and proofreads a wide variety of reports, letters, memoranda, correspondence, and statistical charts; files and catalogues maps, photos, and other planning exhibits and documents.
• Ensures that all permit and entitlement records are kept and maintained as required in hard copy and electronic formats.
• Reviews policies, procedures, regulations, reports, and legislations to determine operational changes.
• Implements new technology; oversees enhancements / improvements to existing technology and programs; maintains and improves processes to enhance work efficiency and the delivery of services; development policies and customer service goals
• Assists in the maintenance of data for incorporation into the Planning and Building Department's GIS, website, and other information systems of the department.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of : Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, policies, technical processes, procedures, and requirements related to building, urban planning, and permit processes. Processes and procedures of development and building plan review and permitting processes. Building, mechanical, plumbing, energy, and electrical codes; City codes and ordinances; and state laws concerning the development review system. Principles and practices of land use and construction permitting. Organization and operation of the City and outside agencies involved with development approval and coordination. Research techniques, resources, and sources of information related to Community Development. City permit and plan check procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines. Business letter writing and basic report preparation. Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques; and records management principles and practices Modern office practices, methods, and computer applications. Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Maps, construction plans, and specifications. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to : Learn, interpret, apply, and explain advanced local, state, and federal regulations and standards related to the job. Understand and explain City policies, procedures, fees, and basic planning and building codes and regulations to the general public, permit applicants, and City staff. Read and interpret plans, specifications, related construction documents, and maps. Supervise, select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of assigned staff. Understand, interpret, and explain department program policies and procedures. Perform detailed, technical, and specialized planning and zoning and / or permit support work Respond to and assist with the resolution of difficult and sensitive development-related inquiries and complaints. Manage multiple projects and coordinate tasks with staff and other departments. Calculate square footage, fees, and / or penalties from plans, and fees for zoning permit applications. Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls, walk-up traffic, and other request / interruptions. Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions. Establish, maintain, and research a variety of files and records. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgement within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience : Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be : Equivalent to graduation from an accredited two-year college or university with major coursework in building inspection, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, public administration, business administration, or a related field and four (4) years of increasingly responsible administrative or technical experience in public agency or equivalent private sector experience that involves extensive public contact preferably, related to urban planning, construction, or a related field.

License or Certificate : Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license. Possession of or ability to obtain, within one year of appointment, a Permit Technician certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC).

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Standing and walking in work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports and records that typically weigh less than 20 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and / or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.