MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 2201
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 26
CLASS SPECIFICATION
S E N I O R P E R M I T T I N G S E R V I C E S S P E C I A L I S T
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is advanced professional engineering/scientific work in one area of specialization: residential/commercial construction, including fire protection/life safety and zoning/land use; right-of-way construction; storm water management/sediment control; floodplain management; special protection areas; and private water supply/sewage disposal. The incumbent performs advanced-level engineering/scientific reviews and analyses related to the above specialties, and client consultations on complex engineering and technical construction document review matters. Contacts are with the public and developers, contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, other professionals, managers, and organizations to exchange information, plan and coordinate case management and operational matters, obtain information necessary to provide services, and to persuade individuals regarding code compliance issues. Public service and assistance is provided on demand to clients, individually and in groups, by questioning clients to determine the nature of the assistance needed.
An employee in this class functions as the subject matter expert and possesses the level of engineering and technical knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the most complex reviews of engineering and scientific documents to determine their technical and procedural soundness and code compliance. This level of knowledge may be evidenced by possession of Professional Engineer (PE) registration or certain certifications in the incumbent's subject area. Thus, promotion to this occupational class will be controlled by the incumbent's possession of the appropriate PE or certifications (see attached addendum). Incumbents meet with clients on pre-design issues and resolve requests for exceptions from code requirements, helping clients to meet the intent, if not the letter, of the code where there are areas in the codes which are subject to interpretation. Incumbents also work with clients to resolve interpretive problems with field staff, and facilitate casework in consultation with Permit Technicians. Employees in this class may provide instruction and guidance to lower level specialists. Employees in this class are fully technically responsible for the work, and independently plan and carry out any level of project or assignment, including the most difficult and complex ones, based on overall policies and objectives, accepted engineering/scientific principles and practices, and available resources. Work is reviewed upon completion for effectiveness in meeting objectives. Guidelines; which include a multiplicity of standards, procedures, policies, and manuals; are frequently of limited use, so that employees must develop and propose new approaches, methods, procedures or criteria, such as amended codes, operating manuals, and procedures. The complexity of the work of this class derives from the need to provide advanced level technical review of the most complex engineering/scientific documents and calculations which may require different analytical approaches to identify various alternatives to meet the intent of the various code requirements, assisting customers who have a very high expectation of personalized customer service. The work requires the application of a considerable depth of knowledge and skill to problems/issues, which very often do not fit standard protocols, standards, or expectations. Fluctuating workloads, shifting priorities, and emotionally-charged client interactions compound this complexity. The scope of the work involves analysis of a variety of unusual conditions in review of engineering/development projects from planning through implementation, and affects the proper and safe construction of structures and facilities County-wide. The majority of the work is performed in an office environment with no unusual physical demands, although it can entail infrequent field visits and travel by automobile. Inherent in the work is the occasional exposure to abusive, aggressive and unpredictable behavior from clients/the general public.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Performs the most complex engineering/scientific calculations/analyses;
reviews engineering plans for compliance with applicable engineering principles
and practices and applicable codes, laws, and policies. This work may involve
infrequently overseeing/performing investigatory or corrective field investigations
or inspections.
Works with managers, other staff and Permit Technicians to develop and implement
customer-service protocols to assure that individual permitting cases are
processed cordially and expeditiously.
Provides technical advice and guidance to lower-level Permitting Services
Specialists and to field staff, technicians, managers, contractors, other
engineers, architects, and advisory committees on complex engineering/scientific
problems.
Meets with architects, engineers, developers, contractors and property owners
as a subject matter expert to discuss/resolve code compliance issues.
Serves as senior lead professional/project manager on teams created to work
on permitting projects of high public interest and technical complexity.
Develops and recommends to higher-level managers new standards, codes, regulations,
and procedures in order to improve the quantity and quality of department
work.
Prepares or leads the preparation of analyses, reports, and correspondence
on highly technical engineering issues.
Represents the County at meetings, public hearings, seminars, professional
associations, legal proceedings, and before deliberative bodies by explaining
and/or defending departmental positions and providing engineering expertise.
Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Five years of professional experience in
an engineering/technical field appropriate to the assigned position.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with
a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering or technical field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience
may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of, and the ability to apply, the most complex principles
and practices of the engineering/technical field to which the position is
assigned.
Knowledge of the applicable codes, statutes and regulations related to the
assigned engineering/technical field.
Knowledge of, and a commitment to, customer-service and client-focused service-delivery
systems.
Knowledge of computer applications relevant to engineering practice.
Skill in negotiating complex agreements with engineers, developers, contractors,
and governmental professionals to bring about compliance with applicable permitting,
engineering, and code requirements.
Ability to work effectively as a team leader or participant and to establish
and maintain effective working relationships among staff, community representatives,
and representatives from other jurisdictions.
Ability to acquire the knowledge of the legal mandates which define/limit
the public-service mission of the division and department.
Ability to work with managers, employees, clients, and professional peers
to provide authoritative guidance and persuasive argument.
Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside
of the office, and the ability to independently conduct field investigations/inspections
in environmental conditions that present moderate discomforts and risks.
LICENSE:
Private Water Supply/Sewage Disposal: Certification by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland State Board of Environmental Sanitarians as a Registered Environmental Sanitarian.
CERTIFICATIONS:
The Department of Permitting Services maintains a listing of current Department-required certifications required of employees classified at this level.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review.
Note: Positions assigned to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service as "Senior Fire Protection Engineer" require a Core Exam with Drug/Alcohol Screen. Call OMS for clarification when assignment known.
Class Established: March 2001
Revised: December 2005
March 2008