CLASS SPECIFICATION
PERMIT TECHNICIAN II
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is paraprofessional work facilitating the building-permit, construction-inspection,
and land-use regulation processes through direct interaction with construction/development
professionals and the general public and through support of engineering, code-compliance,
and investigatory staff. An employee in this class is developing expertise in
their assigned area and is fully proficient at routine client assistance and
permit facilitation assignments within that area. Contacts are with developers,
engineers, architects, attorneys, builders, electricians, in-house professional
and paraprofessional staffs, homeowners, and managers/employees of other agencies,
both within and without the County government, for such purposes as coordination,
problem-resolution, legal/procedural clarification, and information-gathering.
Public service and assistance is provided on demand for periods of moderate
duration and involves interviewing clients to determine the nature of the assistance
required, resolving or attempting to mitigate their anxieties about procedural
requirements and time constraints, and facilitating service delivery. Once service
needs have been identified, assistance can normally be provided.
An employee in this class determines, through the interview process, the need
for and kind of services required; helps clients to assess/clarify their needs;
advises them about procedural and legal considerations; performs sub-professional
work to expedite regulatory approvals; and follows up to assure service delivery
after initial client counseling. A significant aspect of the work involves assisting
clients to overcome impediments to permit-issuance and complaint-resolution
through working with others involved in these processes. The employee, under
minimal supervision, independently determines the scope of client interaction,
obtains necessary information, selects appropriate methods and procedures, and
varies these methods and procedures to address case dynamics. Work is generally
performed with reference to a multiplicity of laws, rules, procedures, and guidelines
which require frequent revision to accommodate legal/procedural change and technical
innovation. The employee recommends changes to the content, availability, and
efficacy of these reference sources to improve client service. The complexity
of the work derives from the diversity of client needs which must be addressed,
the exigencies (financial, technical, emotional) associated with construction
and land-use/development issues, the variety of regulatory and scientific requirements
which impact service delivery, and the effort involved in making decisions after
considering a number of variables/controlling factors. The decisions made by
employees of this class can substantially affect the financial, physical, and
emotional well-being of clients and the economic and development environments
in Montgomery County. Work is usually accomplished in an office environment
and is primarily sedentary. The work involves exposure to aggressive and unpredictable
client behavior and to noxious and obnoxious odors and contagious diseases.
The works requires long periods of standing/sitting in one position, considerable
bending and stooping, and lifting heavy to moderately heavy equipment, supplies,
and materials.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Assists clients to define service needs and to identify appropriate and acceptable
courses of action. Assistance is provided by telephone and face-to-face contact,
through electronic access, and through correspondence.
Assures that appropriate referrals are made to ensure service delivery.
Provides special information/interpretations related to construction practices,
zoning requirements, permitting processes, and procedures for the appeal of
regulatory decisions.
Selects the client-intervention strategy most appropriate to the client's expression
of need, after considering a wide range of strategic options.
Creates, accesses, and maintains databases designed to aggregate permit information,
issue permits and regulatory notices, and track and respond to complaints.
Researches paper and computer files to obtain information to assist clients,
facilitate service delivery, and prepare cases for appellate consideration,
often in response to subpoenas.
Creates new forms and recommends changes to existing procedures/protocols to
improve service delivery.
Reviews construction and site plans for procedural completeness and to determine
design adequacy and zoning compliance. Design-adequacy determinations involve
paraprofessional review of structures such as fences, decks, and small accessory
buildings.
Consults with engineering, plan-review, investigatory, and inspectional staff
to resolve technical problems related to client needs.
Prepares correspondence and otherwise ensures that clients are correctly apprised
of the statuses of their permit applications and of regulatory decisions.
Works to minimize client frustration and agitation by educating clients about
regulatory requirements
and by maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor.
Trains entry-level technicians in job requirements.
Oversees and leads the work of interns/volunteers.
Facilitates the maintenance, order, and availability of paper and electronic
files.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Three years of experience in client-advocacy work in a regulatory
environment, at least two years of which must have been in a building-permit
or land-development setting.
Education: Graduation from high school or High School Certificate of
completion recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the procedures for the processing, issuing and releasing of building,
electrical, and sign permits and use-and-occupancy certificates, including the
procedures of other agencies involved related to land development, land use,
and construction related activities.
Knowledge of the procedures and requirements for the inspection of any and all
activities related to land disturbance.
Knowledge of building-code and zoning requirements for the construction of fences,
decks, accessory buildings, and similar structures.
Knowledge of basic plan-review techniques.
Knowledge of the procedures and requirements for the inspection of commercial
and residential structures.
Knowledge of the procedures for filing and processing building and zoning complaints.
Knowledge of word-processing, complaint-tracking, permit-processing or similar
computer systems.
Skill in basic mathematical applications.
Skill in dealing with people in emotionally-charged circumstances.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, supervisors,
the general public, and personnel of other agencies.
Ability to work effectively under time constraints and conflicting priorities.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to attend meetings and perform other assignments at locations outside
the office.
TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
The Department of Permitting Services maintains a listing of current Department-required
training/certifications required of employees classified at this level.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed to this class will be required to serve a probationary
period of six months, during which their performance will be carefully evaluated.
Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of
the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core Exam
Class Established: January, 1997
Revised: March, 2001
April, 2010
ADDENDUM TO PERMIT TECHNICIAN SERIES CLASS SPECIFICATIONS
Required Training to be Completed Prior to Proficiency Advancement to Permit Technician II
(This list is subject to change by DPS management)
(This list is subject to change by DPS management)