Permit Technician I/II

Job Description:

Permit Technician I/II

Description

The Napa Valley

Napa County is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage.

Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.

The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.

Napa County as an Employer

As an organization, Napa County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. Learn more HERE .

The Position

A Permit Technician performs a variety of technical duties in support of the Planning, Building, & Environmental Services Department, to review and evaluate administrative planning permits, building plans, energy conservation documents, environmental health land use plans, and/or engineering applications or other data for completeness; provides technical information on building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, environmental health and/or engineering codes and local ordinances; conducts counter review of minor permit applications; and responds and explains to public inquiries regarding laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and departmental services.

Qualities of The Ideal Candidate:

• Attention to Detail : Ability to accurately process and review permit applications, ensuring all necessary information is provided and requirements are met. Ability to accurately review and assess permit applications and associated plans, ensuring compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and other relevant requirements.
• Communication : Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact with colleagues, customers, and the public, providing general information, and project status on permit-related matters.
• Customer Service : A strong commitment to providing excellent customer service, including addressing inquiries, providing status updates on plan reviews, assisting applicants in navigating the approval process, resolving issues with all types of customers including upset members of the public and contractors, and maintaining positive relationships with the public, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Organizational Skills : Capacity to manage multiple tasks, prioritize workload effectively, and ensure timely processing of workload while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Problem-Solving Ability: Aptitude to identify, analyze, and resolve routine and non-routine problems related to permit applications and processes, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Adaptability : Willingness and ability to adapt to changing procedures, policies, and regulations within the Planning, Building, & Environmental Services Department.
• Teamwork : Collaborative approach to working with colleagues in the WOW team, building division, and other relevant departments to coordinate plan review activities and ensure consistent application of standards.
• Technical Proficiency : Familiarity with basic technical concepts related to planning, building, and environmental services, with a willingness to learn and apply new knowledge as needed.
• Ethical Conduct : Demonstrated integrity and ethical behavior in handling confidential information, adhering to departmental policies and procedures, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Initiative : Willingness to take initiative in seeking solutions, improving processes, and contributing positively to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of permit processing operations.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience and Education: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Permit Technician I ($ 37.35 - $ 44.34/hour )

Experience: Some experience working at a permit application counter in a public agency, preferably in a building, planning, public works, or environmental health department or equivalent private sector experience dealing with the application and process of construction or development permits through public agencies is desirable.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Course work in building or construction inspection, planning, land use, engineering, environmental health, or closely related field is highly desired.

License or Certificate*: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Permit Technician II ($ 39.19 - $ 46.60/hour )

Experience: One year of experience working at a permit application counter in a public agency, preferably in a building, planning, public works, or environmental health department or one year of private sector experience dealing with application and process of construction or development permit through public agencies.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Course work in building or construction inspection, planning, land use, engineering, environmental health, or closely related field is highly desired.

License or Certificate*:

Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Possession of a Permit Technician certification is required if assigned to the Building Division.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time vacancy which may be filled at either level depending on qualifications. The list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.
Scheduled salary increases and Winter Time Off (WTO):

• 3.5% COLA increase effective 7/01/26
  

• 32.0 hours of paid Winter Time Off (WTO)

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Application Deadline 5:00 pm PST, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 Application Screening and Supplemental Question Scoring Week of September 8, 2025
Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. The most qualified applicants from the supplemental questions review will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview. Oral Panel Interview Tentatively scheduled for the week of September 29, 2025
The most qualified candidates from the Oral Panel Interview will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.

Example of Duties

View the full job description including the example of duties for Permit Technician I HERE and Permit Technician II HERE.

Benefits
Learn more about the benefits package for this position HERE .

ADA Accommodation
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.

Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 3101).

PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES BENEFITS INFORMATION

SALARY -
Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFO -
Click here for additional benefits information forPublic ServicesEmployees:
https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/25886/Benefits-Summary---Public-Service-Employee-PSE

THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP POSITIONS

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

PHYSICAL STANDARDS -
Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

FINGERPRINTING -
All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.

SELECTION PROCESS -

FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.

Closing Date/Time: 9/5/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$77,688.00 - $96,928.00 Annually