Permit Technician I: (Full-Time)

The deadline to apply for this position is July 8, 2025 at 10 AM CST.

JOB SUMMARY

The Permit Technician performs a variety of technical and administrative work in keeping official records and providing administrative support to the Building Permits & Inspections Division of the Planning Department. This position provides quality customer service in a fast-paced environment. This position reviews, manages, coordinates and accepts permit applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Answers in-coming calls, schedules inspections, routes callers to appropriate departments, and provides information as required.
• Assist the public with questions regarding commercial or residential construction codes and requirements.
• Maintains specialized knowledge relevant to the department assigned, for example, technical building permit information and building codes.
• Explains and interprets building permitting and inspection process to the public, property owners and contractors, and refers, when necessary, to appropriate departments.
• Operates office machines as required.
• Accepts permit applications; reviews and organizes supporting documentation and application for accuracy and completeness before submitted to Building Official, and refers, when necessary, to appropriate departments for review as well.
• Issues permits once approved, organizes approved set of plans before issuing them back to contractors/owners.
• Prepares paperwork for permits including monthly department reports.
• Responds to Public Information requests to include time estimates, gathering of information, and responding to the requestor.
• Receives, stamps and distributes incoming mail, processes outgoing mail.
• Acts as custodian of departmental documents and records by maintaining permit logs, files and record management programs.
• Maintains inventories, prepares and monitors work/purchase orders, orders office supplies and materials when needed.
• Places calls for service relating to office and printing machines located in the Public Works/Planning/Environmental Health corridor.
• Performs specific research tasks and prepares reports or data as requested.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Performs reception duties for other departments such as Public Works and Environmental Health Services as required by the location of the workspace.
• May act as City Hall Receptionist when requested.
• Serves as a backup to the Permit Technician II as the staff liaison to the Sub-Standard review board.
• Preparing agendas, minutes, and backup materials for the meeting and post the meetings as required by law on the city website and front of City Hall.
• Inputs and manages all SSRB meetings and agendas in the Peak Software system.
• Notifies the property owner when their property is listed on the agenda, just after the approved agenda is posted.

FISCAL BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

• Responsible for adhering to all City of South Padre Island Purchasing Policies while performing purchasing tasks.
• Responsible for ordering and buying supplies, enters purchase orders while insuring that purchases are within budget limitations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with coursework in modern office practices.
• Associates degree in related field preferred.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of related work experience in a related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, equivalency to be determined by the City.

Licenses or Certifications:

• A valid state driver’s license.
• ICC permit tech certification to be obtained within 1 year of hiring.
• ICC residential plan review certification to be obtained within 2 years of hiring.

Special Requirements:

• Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   

• Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing; working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally in person or by phone with the public, employees, contractors or developers.
• Ability to read and comprehend building plans and permit applications.
• Ability to learn and understand the application of municipal building codes and ordinances.
• Ability to maintain excellent customer service.
• Knowledge of the building permitting and inspection process.
• Ability to apply strong attention to detail and accuracy.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Telephone; personal computer including word processing software; copy machine; postage machine; fax machine; scanner; calculator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The majority of work takes place in an air-conditioned office where the noise level in the work environment may be disruptive because of the in-and-out traffic. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.