Senior Permits Reviewer

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Senior Permits Reviewer

Salary

$32.91 Hourly

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

24-Sr. Permits Reviewer (May)

Department

Public Works

Opening Date

05/03/2024

Closing Date

5/28/2024 8:30 AM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Local 1937

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Nature of Work

Do you have experience in construction inspection or surveying, an eye for detail, strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate technical information? The City of Bellingham is seeking a Sr. Permit Reviewer in our Public Works Department (https://cob.org/gov/dept/pw) .

This position reviews and approves commercial, single family, and multi-family building permit applications for public works permit aspects including water, stormwater and sewer services, driveways, right-of-way use, street obstructions, and utilities installations for work within the City's rights-of-way. Provides customer service for technical information related to infrastructure requirements and processes, permit application and related issues. Reviews Whatcom County building permits involving City utilities. Employees in this position are assigned primary and secondary responsibilities.

This position will start at Step 1 ($32.91 / hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule) and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $32.91 - $40.42. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (https://www.drs.wa.gov/) pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org) (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)

• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Tue. May 28, 2024, 8:30 AM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Permit Review and Compliance

• Reviews and approves City and County commercial, single family, and multi-family building permit applications for compliance with local ordinances, State and federal codes and regulations. Provides input into streamlining and improving processes, including assisting with development of new case types for permit tracking system.

• Prepares Local Improvement District agreements; maintains appropriate records.

• Reviews County short plats which propose to use City utilities to ensure proper service is available; reviews City short plats regarding street pavement and Local Improvement District commitments for compliance with City ordinances and Public Works requirements.

• Compiles information for the Code Enforcement Officer and City Attorney regarding ordinance violations. Prepares responses to appeals for City Council, Planning Commission, or Board of Adjustment as necessary.

• Oversees procedures and assists with processing Latecomer payoffs and estimates.

• Monitors the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of the Development Section's files and records system, including but not limited to Utility Service Zone contracts, Public Works permits, and Latecomer agreements.

Customer Service

• Assists contractors and the general public in ascertaining availability of City utilities, street and main extension requirements.

• Generates public works permits for water and sewer services, driveways, right-of-way use, street obstructions, utilities installations, etc. for work within the City's rights-of-way.

• Calculates water and sewer demand fees for new service applications, and other impact fees.

• Provides information to engineers, architects, contractors, City staff and the general public regarding infrastructure requirements and processes; street, water and sewer locations using GIS and microfilm records; answers questions regarding street vacation applications.

  ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

• Maintains a list of bonded contractors meeting the requirements to work in City right-of-ways.

• Determines needs for backflow assemblies and, as backup for Water Distribution Specialist V, inspects installation of backflow assemblies.

• Copies maps for customer use.

• Provides input and assists with documenting and updating policies and procedures for the development section.

• Performs related work of a similar nature and level.

• Assists in other areas of the Division, as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed in an office setting and requires sitting, standing, working at a counter, or in front of a computer terminal. Makes occasional site visits in the field and follows standard safety practices.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job including:

• correctable visual acuity to read a computer monitor and typeset page

• fine finger dexterity to manipulate computer keyboard and mouse;

• lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds

• standing for prolonged periods.

Experience and Training

• One year of vocational training in engineering technology, or equivalent, required;

AND

• Five years of experience in construction inspection, surveying and/or other related technical engineering work.

A combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices).

• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving records for the past three-years; with biennial submission of driving abstract (Policy ADM 10.03.02.4).

• Ability to gain Washington State Certification as Cross Connection Specialist is required within twelve months of employment.

Selection Process

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Application Review Process:

• Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around May 29, 2024.

• All applicants that pass minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of June 3, 2024.

• Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. Candidates must score a minimum of 60% on the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility register.

  Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available within the Public Works Department. There are currently two full-time vacancies in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.

• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.

• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.

• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section (https://www.cob.org/employment/pages/benefits.aspx) for additional information.

This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/1937-2022-2023-CBA.pdf) .

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website (http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on PERS.

Civil Service Information

This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veteran's Scoring Criteria

Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/COB-Veterans-Scoring-Criteria-Declaration-PDF.pdf) and upload it to your application with your DD214.

01

Do you have a minimum of one year of vocational training in engineering technology, or equivalent?

• Yes

• No

  02

  Do you have a minimum of five years of experience in construction inspection, surveying and/or other related technical engineering work?

• Yes

• No

  03

  Or in place of the above requirements, do you have a combination of relevant education and experience that provides you with the required knowledge, skill and ability to be considered? If yes, please describe and include the dates and positions.

  04

  Do you have a valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one by time of hire and a good driving record? The successful candidate must submit a three-year driving record abstract prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.

• Yes

• No

  05

  Do you have or are you willing to obtain Washington State Certification as a Cross Connection Specialist within twelve months of employment?

• Yes

• No

  06

  Explain your experience preparing technical materials and reports. Please provide a specific example from your work history.

  07

  Explain your level of knowledge related to basic civil engineering for streets, utilities, and/or stormwater facilities.

  08

  If you are requesting Veteran's Preference points, a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration is required along with a copy of your DD214. The required form is in the Selections Process section of the Job Posting. Check "YES" here if you are attaching a Veteran's Declaration form and DD214.

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

City of Bellingham

Address

104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225

Phone

360-778-8228

Website

http://www.cob.org/employment

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