Permit Technician III - Civil

Permit Technician III - Civil

City of Buckeye, AZ

GENERAL PURPOSE: Under general supervision, the Permit Technician III provides leadership and oversight to Permit Technician I and II staff, including mentorship, coaching, quarterly check ins, and the establishment of performance goals to support professional growth. This role oversees the full permitting workflow intake, processing, issuance, and project closeout, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. The Permit Technician III develops, refines, and implements policies and procedures that improve operational effectiveness within the Permitting Division and support broader initiatives across the Development Services Department.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Essential Job Duties:

Leadership, Supervision & Staff Development

• Provide oversight and coordination of Permit Technician staff and daily permitting operations.
• Assign, monitor, and adjust workloads to ensure timely and accurate processing of permit applications.
• Conduct staff meetings, quarterly A.C.E. check ins, and ongoing mentorship and coaching.
• Maintain documentation on staff performance, training, professional development, and areas for improvement.
• Provide guidance and training on permit procedures, permitting systems, customer service, and code requirements.
• Participate in interviewing and hiring new Permit Technician staff.
• Manage schedules to ensure adequate coverage.

Permitting Operations & Technical Oversight

• Supervise the intake, review, and processing of permit applications to ensure compliance with City codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Review complex permit applications or issues requiring supervisory judgement.
• Respond to inquiries regarding review times, discrepancies, technical questions, and escalated customer concerns.
• Support customer service functions, including assisting with applications, documentation, fee verification, and resolving processing issues.
• Monitor accurate data entry, transaction processing, documentation management, and tracking of plans from application through permit issuance.
• Ensure compliance with municipal policies, adopted building codes, and departmental procedures.
• Maintain compliance with the City's records retention schedule for permitting documents.

Process Improvement, Policy Development & Division Support

• Develop, implement, and update policies, procedures, process guides, and standard operating procedures for the Permitting Division.
• Evaluate permitting workflows and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Research and resolve operational issues, coordinating solutions internally and with other City departments.
• Assist with preparation of reports and statistical information related to permitting activity and performance metrics.
• Participate as a member of the Permitting Division team to address division-wide needs, communicate policy decisions, and support departmental initiatives.
• Develop and implement short and long term plans, goals, and objectives for the division.
• Exercise independent judgment and initiative in resolving professional and technical issues.

Interdepartmental & Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Building Officials, Planning, Civil Engineering, Fire, and other departments to ensure consistent permitting practices.
• Participate in internal and external meetings with staff, applicants, contractors, and stakeholders to discuss permitting processes, project coordination, and operational improvements.
• Provide clear communication regarding project status, updates, and problem resolution.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, coworkers, consultants, contractors, business owners, and the public.

Focused Job Duties (Building-Residential):

• Oversee front counter staff and daily front counter operations, including cashiering, public records requests, building permit issuance, extensions, reinstatements, and records retention.
• Supervise the receipt, review, and processing of permits for all residential and minor commercial building projects to ensure compliance with City codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Calculate plan review and permitting fees for residential and minor commercial projects.

Focused Job Duties (Building-Commercial):

• Coordinate permitting activities for City Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), ensuring timely review and processing.
• Collaborate with the Economic Development Department on incoming commercial projects and priority developments.
• Monitor commercial permit submittals received through email and online portals, assigning projects to appropriate staff.
• Participate in meetings with developers and project representatives to discuss commercial permitting timelines, requirements, and expectations.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of commercial user fees and impact fees.
• Assist in updating commercial checklists, procedures, and forms to maintain accuracy and improve efficiency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or GED equivalent, and six (6) years of municipal experience in permitting, customer service and computer experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Municipal experience preferred.

• ICC Permit Technician Certification is required for those positions assigned to Building-Commercial division only

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Expert proficiency in supervisory policies, practices and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of municipal government
• Advanced knowledge of the development process
• City policies and procedures
• Extensive knowledge in Lean Six Sigma Kaizen Process

Skill in:

• ESRI GIS Software
• Leadership
• Problem resolution methods
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software, such as Microsoft Office, Word, Power Point and Excel
• Effective oral and written communication

Ability to:

• Listen and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a diverse group of people
• Maintain confidentiality on personnel matters
• Organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate permitting, and construction challenges and provide practical solutions
• Promote teamwork and continuous improvement
• Delegate and check-in /confirm progress of delegated tasks
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and use good judgment in prioritizing work
• Understand City Code, stipulations, policies and procedures
• Speak on behalf of permitting division in meetings with other city personnel, developers, contractors, and City leadership

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Arizona driver's license
• Six (6) years' experience in project coordination

Special Requirements (Building):

• Advanced knowledge of adopted ICC Codes with six (6) years of industry experience
• Extensive expertise in building projects and their documentation requirements based on project type
• Building terminology, practices and procedures with six (6) years of industry experience
• Read and interpret basic building plans
• Advanced knowledge in development impact fees
• Highly advanced understanding of Planning & Zoning policies, practices and procedures
• Highly advanced understanding of Civil Engineering policies, practices and procedures