Job Details

Senior Permit Technician

The City of Novato is recruiting for Senior Permit Technician Promotional Opportunity - Internal Recruitment Only. Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. For those internal candidates interested, an informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at noon in the Womack Conference Room. Details of the position will be highlighted and questions answered.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Definition

To perform the more complex and advanced responsible technical and administrative work in one or more specialized land development areas including Building, Code Enforcement and Planning; to provide information and direction to the public and lesser experienced staff on processes and requirements associated with construction, community development, planning, and building; and to receive, review, route, process and perform minor plan checking of minor applications and permits.

Supervision Received

Receives general supervision from a higher-level supervisor.

Example of Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as a lead contact to internal and external customers on building, planning and code enforcement related issues; provide information and direction to the public related to the permit processes via phone, e-mail and counter work.
• Serve as lead in permit software technology.
• Serve as back up to supervisor as needed.
• Execute fee estimates for customers.
• Advising contractors, developers, engineers, architects and the public on permit process requirements; assisting the public in completing applications for building permits; explaining reasons for routine denial of applications, identifying additional requirements, and explaining the process for reapplying.
• Review, interpret, and provide information and direction to the public regarding applicable local, State and Federal regulations, codes, ordinances, documents, standards and guidelines.
• Perform minor plan checks reviews such as simple room additions, tenant improvements, air conditioners, and pool/spa installations to ensure compliance with building and zoning code regulations; review, log-in and coordinate routing of various plans and permits; calculate land use related fees and provide fee estimates as requested; issue permits when plans are approved.
• Perform plan checking by comparing drawings of proposed improvements against drawings, which illustrate standards applicable to various projects.
• Serving as liaison between building permit applicants and the referral division, department and outside agency; assisting in resolving problems related to the permit review and issuance process.
• Access, enter, and update computerized plan check data entry and tracking systems; provide information to the public relating to the status of projects and permits.
• Confer with and provide information to architects, builders, contractors, engineers and developers regarding fees; prepare reports, memos, and letters pertaining to development review and permitting.
• Making determinations from plans and related documents on building area, occupancy group, etc, and calculating and assessing fees by using or measuring scale plan dimensions, project classification, and schedule of fees; presenting and collecting fees.
• Monitor City Council action regarding modifications to or adoption of new development fees; work with all City development departments to collect fee updates.
• Review commercial and residential plans for plan check approval.
• Coordinate development services related revenue collections with the City's finance department.
• Research, compile and analyze data for special projects and various reports.
• Plan, prioritize and review the work of assigned staff responsible for a variety of permitting activities
• Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Provide and coordinate training for assigned staff; work with assigned staff to correct deficiencies.
• Maintain manuals and update resource materials.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• City permit and plan check procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Maps, construction plans and specifications.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal regulations, building, zoning, engineering and planning codes and regulations related to the permits process.
• Land use planning, design and construction processes.
• Research techniques, resources and sources of information related to land development functions.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Business letter writing and report preparation.
• Modern office equipment and procedures including use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply and explain advanced regulations and standards.
• Understand complex construction plans and specifications.
• Respond to and assist in the resolution of difficult and sensitive development related inquiries and complaints.
• Read and understand construction drawings and blueprints.
• Calculate fees and apply fee formulas to buildings or projects.
• Independently prepare correspondence and memorandums.
• Use independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Learn and operate the permit tracking software and system and records management software.
• Know, understand, interpret and explain department and program policies and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of statistical and administrative reports.
• Prepare correspondence and memorandums.
• Conduct routine analytical studies; problem solve.
• Make accurate mathematical calculations; utilize geometry.
• Operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet, and business software and other office equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective, tactful and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including various cultural and ethnic groups.
• Foster and contribute to a work environment that supports and exhibits honesty, diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Demonstrate teamwork by contributing to the overall success of the organization with flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Provide high quality and fiscally responsible services to the Novato community, while delivering responsive customer service.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
• Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.

Experience and Training: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact, including one (1) year working in community development, building permitting, plan checking, building inspection, construction engineering, or a similar field.

Training:

• Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade, preferably supplemented by college level courses in urban planning, engineering or related field. Associate's degree in urban planning, utility engineering, or related field is desirable.
• Possession of a International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician is required within one year of appointment.

Working Conditions and Environmental Conditions:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Physical Skills: Able to use standard office equipment, including a computer; sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, and maintain sustained posture in a seated or standing position for prolonged periods of time; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone, and to make public presentations; lift and carry up to 10lbs of files, and materials.

Work Environment: Mobility to work in a typical office and/or field setting.

Ability