Salary: See Position Description
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Job Number: TBD PM-1222
Closing: Continuous

Learn more and apply today at Skagit County’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

Manages the Planning department’s Permit Division. Researches, analyzes, and implements methods and procedures to improve process efficiencies within the department. Directly supervises the Permit Technicians, Building Receptionist and Planning Systems Analyst. Manages the team to assure efficient permit functions and superior customer service. Oversees system administrator for the department’s permit tracking software. Represents Skagit County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities.

  • Salary upon hire is $38.73 to $41.48 per hour (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.
  • Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $51.50/hr.). The Permit Manager is Range 29 of the General salary schedule.

 Essential Functions:

  • Manages the daily operations of the Permit Technicians, Building Receptionist and Planning Systems Analyst employees to ensure efficient operations and teamwork between Planning department divisions.
  • Reviews and analyzes department goals and objectives for permit processing and tracking. Supervises the development, implementation, and execution of the new permit software project; ensures scope and schedule of the implementation are established and met. Drafts or revises department policies and procedures related to the development and use of the permitting system.
  • Provides business process analysis and technical support of the County Permitting System.   As manager of the permit management/software system, implements, supports and oversees interfaces between IS department for technical support. Functions as the primary technical liaison between the department and the Information Service (IS) and GIS departments.
  • Develops, plans and leads staff on the testing and implementation of system upgrades and modifications.  Works with Information Services staff and system vendors to identify and implement upgrades, evaluate, report and monitor resolution of issues and migrate to the live production environment
  • Manages the reporting, dashboards and ad hoc reporting of the permitting system. Coordinates and changes to system or custom reports with business process changes or system upgrades.
  • Designs and implements data and reporting solutions.  Manages and maintains Permitting System data warehouse.  Provides permitting data to multiple departments, agencies and for public record requests.
  • Responsible for permitting system data input, monitoring, modification and maintenance to ensure accurate and timely flow of permits and information through the department. Configures the system to improve efficiencies.
  • Monitors the workload of the Permit Technician employees, organizes the scheduling of reviews, and communicating among review teams to assure that the flow of information is not interrupted.
  • Directs, plans, prioritizes, trains employees and manages permit processing and related activities, providing day-to-day work direction for permit processing and technical development regulations with continuous feedback to Permit Technician team.     
  • Provides excellent internal and external customer service by clearly conveying information, explaining procedures and effectively answering questions and addressing concerns of the team and of the customer/public.
  • Provides complex reports to the Planning Director on processing performance, performs a variety of specialized analytical duties in order to identify deficient areas, and implements processes to correct deficiencies and re-assess performance.
  • Provides technical support to Planning & Development Services team. This includes, managing the department’s permitting system, SharePoint database, website and form updates, revenue projections and audits.
  • Responsible for hiring, evaluating, and counseling/discipline of employees within the division.

Supervisory:

  • Directly supervises, manages, evaluates, monitors, and assigns work to Permit Technician, Building Receptionist and Planning Systems Analyst employees.

Other Job Functions:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning, IT or related field.
  • At least 3 years of experience in construction/development and planning; or experience in the public or private sector providing excellent customer service; or experience with pertinent computer software systems.
  • Proficient in use of computers, permit software, GIS mapping software and associated programs and equipment.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position
  • Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a highly collaborative environment.

Requires Knowledge of:

  • Management principles
  • Customer service, office management, personnel and supervision, including planning, staff selection, training, coaching, discipline, scheduling, project coordination and evaluating individuals and processes.
  • Requires excellent analytical ability, consultative, communication, presentation and management skills, strong judgement and ability to work effectively with IS staff and management.
  • Complex systems project management including planning, scheduling, monitoring and problem solving
  • Computer operation and a variety of office software including: Windows, Microsoft Office 2016, SharePoint, permit tracking software (such as Accela Permits Plus), and related software systems (GIS, financial/cashiering).
  • Knowledge of public disclosure laws of Washington.  

Requires the Ability to:

  • Work with people in a kind and courteous manner. Listen attentively and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups in clear, concise language appropriate for the purposes and parties addressed
  • Research, compile and analyze data. Be attentive to detail, maintain a high degree of accuracy, make complex mathematical calculations and recognize, resolve and correct discrepancies in data or information.
  • Handle complex software implementations.
  • Continue training and stay current as technology changes.
  • Diagnose and resolve systems analysis problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound independent decisions. Manage complex computer interfaces and systems.
  • Complete systems analysis and derive excellent, cost-effective solutions.
  • Maintain confidentiality and follow the judicial code of ethics
  • Ability to work collaboratively, in a team environment, across departments, and to work well with a wide variety of people.
  • Use tact, discretion, respect, persuasion, diplomacy and courtesy to gain the cooperation of others and establish and maintain effective teams and working relationships and rapport with all members of the team, co-workers, public officials, department heads, other departments, vendors, and members of the public.

Preferred Licenses and/or Certifications:

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license.
  • Relevant Database Certification.
  • Ability to pass the permit technician accreditation test within one year of hire.   

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Most work is performed in an office environment and the normal hazards contained therein. May be required to sit or stand for long periods of time. May be required to drive a County motor vehicle. May require lifting in excess of 25 pounds. May be required to perform outdoor, on-site inspections.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.

About Skagit County:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.