Permit Technician - Hourly/Part-Time/At-Will

About the role

The City of Norwalk is seeking a part-time Permit Technician to join the Community Development Department. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in clerical, administrative, and technical tasks related to permit processing and enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Review building permit applications to ensure all necessary documents are complete and compliant with building codes and municipal and state requirements.
• Avoidance and assistance to permit applicants and the general public, including architects, engineers, and contractors, with technical information concerning building permit requirements and procedures to comply with state, county and city laws and building codes.
• Process permit applications by accepting the application, checking for accuracy and completeness, receipting it in, calculating fees, routing to appropriate review staff, monitoring application progress for status reports, and preparing plans and permits for issuance.
• Issue simple, routine permits within scope of authority and responsibility assigned.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of the permit process; input, maintain and compile a variety of data on permitting activity, such as the number of permits by type, valuation, permit fees, review time, problem areas, conditions imposed, actions taken, etc.
• Perform minor plan checking at the public counter and assist the public with code interpretation; advise the public on matters related to building codes, construction plan requirements, zoning regulations and other related information.
• Receive and respond to complaints or inquiries regarding zoning, sign, land use ordinance violations, and public nuisances; explain code requirements and established policies and procedures; schedule or assign enforcement and code compliance activities in specific geographic areas.
• Prepare case files requiring the establishment of legal owner, the verification of the parcel address, and other necessary information.
• Compose letters, routine correspondence, and reports; assist in conducting follow-up procedures, including preparing additional correspondence and communicating with complainants, attorneys, and property owners involved in code violation cases.
• Provide routine assistance to the public, the Norwalk Property Maintenance and Building Rehabilitation Board of Appeals, and assist other department staff involved in related activities; may provide assistance to the public by performing translations into Spanish.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Uniform Building Codes, zoning regulations, building administration, manual and computerized record keeping systems, engineering terminology, the principles and methods of enforcing varied municipal codes, applicable laws, ordinances and codes, principles and methods of code enforcement activities, the organization and functions of the various agencies involved in planning, zoning, and land use processes, basic terminology used in zoning, including legal descriptions, regulations and requirements for court evidence documentation.
• Ability to interpret and explain related codes, federal and state laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations; use correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; compose correspondence; read and interpret maps, plans, and legal descriptions; deal courteously but firmly, and communicate effectively with individuals contacted in the course of work; establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public; read and understand plans and blueprints; maintain accurate records of inspections and code enforcement rules; work under stressful conditions and with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to speak Spanish is desirable.