Permit Specialist II

The Development Site Team within the Land Use Division of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is seeking well-organized and motivated individuals to be part of our Land Use Permit Specialist Team as a Permit Specialist II. This is a hard-working team who support each other in a fast-paced working environment. This work group is responsible for independently screening Land Use application materials for completeness and review readiness; reviewing, creating, and validating property development sites and addresses within the Geocortex mapping system; researching permit history records; and providing customer service.

Work occurs in a fast paced, highly scheduled, changing, and continuous learning environment. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service, communication, and technology skills; a demonstrated ability to read and interpret information on plans, the ability to understand and review legal descriptions, the ability to problem solve, be comfortable using and learning technology of all kinds, including GIS mapping tools, have superb attention to detail, and be highly adaptable to rapidly changing processes and procedures.

Our Department is committed to the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative and requires a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and culture. We are committed to a relational culture based on inclusion and belonging and we use an anti-racism lens in our work with a commitment to our staff and the communities we serve.Land Use Intake

• Facilitate electronic (e-plan) application intake with land use permit applicants; 

• Independently screens project application materials including plans, surveys, and technical reports, to determine adequacy and completeness with regard to Seattle Land Use Code, Environmentally Critical Areas, and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements, and other land use regulations;

• Independently screens early design guidance proposals and applications for projects subject to Design Review; 

• Create public notice language and maps to assist in the notice process for individual projects; 

• Identify appropriate reviews; 

• Enter detailed project and development site information using Accela and, GeoCortex; 

• Conduct property history research using electronic records, including but not limited to, microfilm, King County records, GIS mapping systems;

Development Site / Addressing

• Review property development site legal descriptions, easements and covenants resulting from platting actions and building permit actions for accuracy; 
• Validate property development sites for construction and land use project proposals; 
• Validate property information including zoning, overlay designations, and development site status; 
• Assign addresses for new and existing development; 
• Resolve complex property development site, legal description, and addressing issues; 
• Coordinate addressing with other City and County agencies and also USPS;
• Work in GeoCortex to establish discrete address points (DAPS);
• Work in GeoCortex to create and edit property development site attributes; 
• Addressing and property development site technical resource for internal and external customers

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of experience as a Permit Specialist I or three years increasingly responsible experience as a Senior Permit Technician or equivalent position for a large permitting agency 

• A two-year degree in Construction Technology, Architecture, or similar field

• OR Other combinations of education, training, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability 

• A demonstrated ability to read and interpret information on plans

Successful candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:

• Provide excellent customer service in person, over the phone, and in writing

• Experience with Accela, GeoCortex, ArcGIS or ArcView mapping technology

• Demonstrated experience in high volume work environments with a strong commitment to customer service

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

• The ability to focus under pressure and work creatively in a distracting environment; 

• Complete work assignments within established timelines

• Work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team

• Ability to problem solve complex permitting and addressing issues individually and as a member of the team

The selection process will include a plan reading and writing exercise.

The full salary range for this position is $40.50 - $47.20 per hour. Current City employee starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

We require a strong commitment to customer service and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.  The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences; people of color, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans