Job Summary

Make an impact:
The Building and Safety Division is seeking a Permit Specialist or Permit Technician depending on experience (please refer to the minimum qualification listed below). We are looking for an outstanding individual who has a proven record in reviewing and accepting construction plans, specifications, and engineering materials. These documents are submitted in electronic format through our online portal.

This position plays an integral role in the entire permitting process, which ensures the construction of safe buildings and structures within the City of Salem.

Learn and grow: 
We value our employees and their professional development. There are many cross-training opportunities within the department. We encourage continuing education and certification within other disciplines of the trade; structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.      
 
What you will do: 
The Permit Specialist/Technician provides the initial screening and review of applications, plans and documents submitted for review during the building permit process. In addition, this position issues permits, calculates, and accepts fees, informs customers of missing or incomplete information, explains city and State policy and procedures along with building code requirements to customers and staff. The candidate for this role will also respond to inquiries from the public and other city departments.  

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable in submittal requirements with people-oriented skills who can work independently, communicate effectively and professionally, while clearly articulating code requirements with on-site customers, including demonstrating excellent skills in a high-volume work environment and accomplishing daily workload goals while working with walk-in customers. 

Additional information on job responsibilities: 

• Review submitted applications, plans, and documents for completeness.
• Correspond with internal and external customers via email, phone, and in-person.
• Articulate building code requirements to contractors, engineers, and homeowners.
• Works independently in a fast-paced environment with many interruptions.
• Respond to inquiries from the public.

 
 What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• 5% Bilingual incentive for qualifying candidate.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Position schedule is Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Our team follows a hybrid schedule working in-office 555 Liberty St. SE 3 days a week and remotely for the rest with manager approval. This is subject to change based on business needs.

Salary range for Permit Specialist $23-74 - $28.92 hourly
Salary range for Permit Technician: $25.74 - $31.32 hourly

The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.
 
What are the minimum qualifications?
Permit Specialist:

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• High school diploma or equivalent including or supplemented by cash accounting or customer service or related field and two years of experience in customer service work, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.

Permit Technician:

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• For some positions, must have an Oregon Driver license and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
• High school graduate or GED and three years of responsible clerical support experience in a construction, code enforcement, urban development program or related technical field, including practical experience with automated record keeping systems, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
• International Code Council Permit Technician certification required.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

 
Preferred Qualifications (Not required to apply):

• Bilingual skills preferred. 

 
What will you bring along?

• Principles, practices, and terminology of building construction, building plans; applicable local and state codes, regulations, and policies; and of permit/license transactions.
• Computer input and permit tracking data software experience.
• Bluebeam or similar PDF software experience.
• Experience in a high-volume environment that requires multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, officials, and the public.
• Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.

 
About us:
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon, located in the heart Willamette Valley, and is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.


A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
 Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development Department. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The city has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department. using Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Permit Specialist or view by clicking here or search Permit Technician or view by clicking here.
 
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
   
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.
   
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
   
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!
   
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.

Agency City of Salem

Address 295 Church St. Suite 210

Salem, Oregon, 97301

Phone 503-588-6102
hrrecruiting@cityofsalem.net

Website https://www.cityofsalem.net/jobs