Going up the ladder as a permit tech

EmilyPage

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I've been at a few Community Development Departments over the past few years and it always seems like there is a stagnation in the permit tech position. The only growth I've seen has been to become a plans reviewer, but not everyone is interested in Code analysis/compliance. Do other jurisdictions have things like permit tech II, III, or Sr? How does their role/responsibilities change from level I to level II and beyond? What other middle-level positions beyond permit tech do you have in your jurisdictions?
 
Location
Aspen, Colorado, United States
We have Tech I's & II's. The Tech II's create permits for more complicated projects and do some plan review. We also have a Permit Supervisor that oversees the techs. We don't have a Sr Tech position yet but would like to in the future. From my experience, the larger cities have more opportunity for growth in the Tech position as opposed to smaller jurisdictions.
In a previous city I worked in, the permit tech moved her way up the ranks and became the BO.
 
I've been at a few Community Development Departments over the past few years and it always seems like there is a stagnation in the permit tech position. The only growth I've seen has been to become a plans reviewer, but not everyone is interested in Code analysis/compliance. Do other jurisdictions have things like permit tech II, III, or Sr? How does their role/responsibilities change from level I to level II and beyond? What other middle-level positions beyond permit tech do you have in your jurisdictions?
I would recommend speaking to your director and expressing an interest in other areas. I will say, one thing that I did was create career progression. I encouraged everyone, especially my tech's to explore other areas including planning and code enforcement. I would encourage "ride alongs" as well as job shadowing so that they could explore those areas before committing to something. I would also include them in meetings with me on those topics to help them learn about the other areas and get exposure.

For me, I have had several permit techs become amazing planners and environmental / code inspectors. It gives a great solid background basis for growing into those areas.

I would be happy to chat more one on one if you would like. Send me a message here if you are interested!

Dave
 
Office Engineering Technician (OET) here. We don't have an official "permit tech" in the jurisdiction I work at because that's a pretty broad term encompassing Express, Plan Check, and other job titles who work with permits and using the same system to generate/modify permits. I used to work for Express Permits for several years so I was generating and issuing out permits, but my official title was an Admin Clerk. I am now an OET I where I work with Building Plan Check where I am responsible for plan check submittals.

In terms of upward growth as an OET, there are OET I, OET II, and OET III, and to be honest, there is almost zero difference in responsibilities between the OETs -- I am doing the same work as an OET III. However, besides that, the next step from an OET would be to become a Civil Engineer where I would require a degree in Engineering. I feel as an OET, the highest I could become is an OET III and then I'd have to look elsewhere to promote.
 
I work for a smaller jurisdiction and we have three levels for permit staff: Permit Technician, Permit Specialist, and Permit Coordinator. I personally started as a Specialist, asked to be promoted to Coordinator, and am now away from the counter and working as the Permit Manager. Our two permit staff are both Specialists. It just depends on the department. Like BobaChewie mentioned, there is little difference in responsibilities. It's just a way to retain staff and reward people for staying. Plus, the longer you are in a position, the faster you are and chances are you begin taking on more work. So that's why it's important to have levels for staff to promote to. A brand new permit tech shouldn't have the same title and pay as someone who has been with the City for years.
 
In my City, I am the only permit technician. I am hoping for the future to go back to school for more planning and zoning as it seems its really difficult to move towards the plans review/inspector side of things with no hands on field construction experience or a degree.
 
I'm the only permit tech in my jurisdiction, but that's not my title. I'm sort of struggling with the same thing you are, OP. If there's no other me, there's no way for me to move up because who would do my job? There are definite pros and cons.
 
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