Permit Supervisor (Development Services Specialist, Senior)

Position Description

The City of Tacoma, Planning and Development Services' mission is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable, and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Planning and Development Services Department is recruiting for the position of Permit Supervisor (Development Services Specialist, Senior). Under limited direction, the Permit Supervisor will oversee daily operations for the department’s Permit Services Team which handles all aspects of permit processing, primary customer service engagement and internal support. The Permit Supervisor shall plan, direct, and evaluate the team of Permit Specialists.

The ideal candidate possesses a successful work history in permitting and a broad knowledge and technical proficiency in construction and development practices. The Permit Supervisor should have political savvy; the ability to think critically to evaluate policies and processes and make recommendations to enhance customer deliverables; independently assess and address delays in permit processing and reviews; has refined customer service and communication skills; and a high level of accountability and ownership of outcomes. They are proficient at establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships that influence and promote positive outcomes. This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for assisting people, a person who wants to be part of a dynamic team focused on providing excellent public service while delivering professional, quality services to City of Tacoma customers.

Essential Duties:

• This position plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work activities of Permit Specialists and Senior Permit Specialists involved in accepting and issuing permit applications.
• Provides technical support and assistance to staff, applicants and other departments on procedural information, submittal requirements, code interpretations, and solutions to site-specific problems.
• Identifies staff development/training needs; recommends training activities; coordinates training to familiarize personnel with new interpretation, rulings, ordinances, policies, and procedures to maintain consistency and increase staff knowledge.
• Coordinates address assignment and changes with other City and non-City agencies.
• Provides resolution of difficult and complex address and legal description related problems.
• Advises applicants, industrial professionals, community representatives, and residents of code and ordinance requirements and department procedures.
• Responds to customer complaints and inquiries.
• Identifies the need for, participates in the development of, and implements new and revised operational policies and procedures for unit's.
• Participates in the unit's selection process. Prepares various personnel documents and related reports and is responsible for disciplinary and other adverse personnel actions.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned to the most complex customer inquiries and complaints.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Work is performed in an indoor office environment, subject to multiple interruptions by walk-in citizens, employees, telephone calls, and interoffice activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to individuals who are irate, angry or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Position requires operation of computer and office equipment, moving about inside the office to access equipment, counters and desks.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (TRAINING AND EDUCATION):

• Associate's degree in planning, engineering, urban studies or directly related field.

AND

• 4 years of inspection, construction, planning, permit desk/plan review experience including 1 year of prior lead or supervisory experience
  

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

• ICC certifications within one year of hire

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Multilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
Candidates who are fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Korean are desired.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of City ordinances and codes, and International Building Codes.
• Knowledge of site, environmental and right-of-way codes regulations and laws.
• Knowledge of building design, construction and inspection practices.
• Knowledge of land use regulations and laws.
• Broad understanding of multiple permitting review disciplines, and technical proficiency in one or more discipline - land use, site/stormwater, building code.
• Broad knowledge of permitting and process, which allows for anticipation of issues before they arise
• Political awareness.
• Skilled in resolving disputes diplomatically.
• Creative and inquisitive in finding equitable solutions or alternatives for development proposals.
• High level of accountability and takes ownership of outcomes.
• Ability to influence positively outcomes through established professional relationships with internal and external parties.
• Excellent interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to use computer software (Accela and GIS systems) to perform research in the permitting process.
• Technically proficient and able to compare documents for consistency to engineering plans and legal descriptions.
• Adaptive and responsive to feedback.
• Highly organized and able to multi-task and respond to needs of multiple projects concurrently.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

To be considered for this career opportunity:
Please apply online through the City of Tacoma's website and attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your experience, training, motivations, and expertise as it relates to the responsibilities of this position. Individuals must meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process.
This is a competitive selection process. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of education, certifications and related experience. Candidates whose qualifications most closely correspond with the Department's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Those who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on a referral list for review and potential interview selection.

Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background and references check.

When you work for the City of Tacoma, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.
Agency
City of Tacoma

Address
Human Resources Department
747 Market Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Phone

253-591-5400
Website

http://www.cityoftacoma.org

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/27/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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