Central Permitting Technician I

POSITION SUMMARY:
An employee in this position performs technical and clerical work in the issuance of a variety of permits and the application of processes in a centralized permitting and customer service setting for the Development Services Department of Harnett County. This includes: working with citizens, developers, contractors and others at various stages of the development process; acting as a one-stop processing point for obtaining all permits and information necessary to complete a development project; answering questions and advising customers on processes; reviewing applications; using the County's land use ordinances, NC General Statutes and other laws and codes to determine eligibility for project initiation; reading and interpreting deeds, site plans and subdivision plats; compiling reports and data; utilizing internal resources to access maps and documents; explaining use of telephone and web resources; and collecting money for permits and accounting for funds.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Answers public inquiries in person and by phone related to applications, permits, processing, and inspections; schedules inspections; and answers other question or directs inquiries to other staff.
• Responds to incoming email inquiries.
• Questions customers to determine interests and intentions for development or permits; informs the customer of relevant and allocable land use and planning requirements; and documents the customers' intentions through acceptable site plan requirements.
• Advises citizens, developers, contractors, and others involved in the development process on requirements for permits and for development processes; asks questions; conducts research using land records, GIS, ARC, tax system, and other programs to provide information for each customer's different needs.
• Advises on a variety of permit needs such as land use applications, site plans, permit application, residential and commercial construction permits, water and sewer taps and meters, and other development processes.
• Reviews submitted and proposed permits or applications with customers; processes permit applications; issues residential permits.
• Processes commercial applications and permits; issues permits; processes water and sewer taps; and sets up customer accounts.
• Assists customers with preparation or applications for conditional uses, variances, and rezoning permits; explains process involved or directs to proper division.
• Approves permit issuance based upon eligibility standards, administrative codes and procedures and ordinance interpretation; documents actions into permitting/record system.
• Provides training and demonstrates the use of interactive voice response software and equipment, and website tools to assist customers in future interactions with the permitting process.
• Maintains contractor database and corresponds with state licensing board to verify expired licenses.
• Reads and interpret deeds, site plans and subdivision plats to determine appropriate processes to be applied; reads and interprets FEMA Flood Maps, topographical maps, census tract maps, and zoning maps.
• Reviews residential site plans;
• Collects and accounts for applicable fees and prepares deposits as needed; balances cash drawer on a daily basis; and updates daily balance sheets for financial tracking.
• Prepares, types, and distributes correspondences; records; reports directly related operations and permit activity; compiles data; locates files; and retrieves information.
• Schedules inspections and processes re-inspection requests as needed.
• Secures daily deposit in bank deposit bags and/or containers; then transports cash and checks to County depository, i.e., bank.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• No experience required but some experience in a local government or customer service setting desired, preferably in a business, construction, real estate, building trades, or related field;
• Or equivalent education and/or experience;
• Possession of a Public Notary certification (or willingness to obtain within first six (6) months of hire); and
• Obtain a passing score on NC Code Official Qualification Board's Law and Administration Course within two (2) years of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of local codes and ordinances related to zoning, environmental health, construction trades and public utilities.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of correct grammar, vocabulary and spelling usage.
• Knowledge of arithmetic and its applications in general office work.
• Knowledge of other County departments' processes and procedures related to permits and development.
• Skill in using engineering scale and drawing site plans.
• Skill in delivering customer service.
• Ability to read and interpret deeds, ordinances, and maps related to land development.
• Ability to explain complex documents, regulations, and terms in concise language.
• Ability to work with interruptions and function successfully in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to plan and organize administrative support activities and tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff, other employees, builders, developers, and the general public.
• Ability to gather and give basic information and instructions on Department programs.
• Ability to gather and compile data from a variety of sources and maintain files.
• Ability to pay attention to detail.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to perform sedentary work and occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, standing, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to compile and compute data and statistics, operate a computer terminal proofread materials, work with color or depth perception, determine accuracy, do extensive reading, and inspect defects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee works in a centralized permitting and customer service office.Employment Type: Full-Time Regular