Permitting Specialist

Position Information

New Hanover County’s Building Safety Permitting department is looking for customer-focused, computer-savvy Permitting Specialists who enjoy helping people navigate the permitting process. If you’re a strong communicator, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and familiar with building construction and trade permitting, this is an opportunity to make a direct impact on the customer experience and the community.

As a Permitting Specialist, you’ll serve as one of the first points of contact for developers, contractors, homeowners, and other customers working through the County’s permitting process. You’ll help customers understand requirements, track the status of their applications, and connect them with the right resources to keep their projects moving forward.

What You'll Do

• Receive, review, and process building and trade permit applications for completeness.
• Assist developers, contractors, homeowners, and other customers in person, by phone, and by email throughout the permitting process.
• Set up projects, maintain records, schedule inspections, and issue permits using County permitting software.
• Process permit fees and payments and provide customers with information on application and inspection status.
• Connect customers with appropriate technical staff and subject matter experts and perform other related duties.

Why You'll Love This Team

Building Safety - Permitting is focused on making the permitting process effective, efficient, consistent, responsive, and easy to navigate . The department places a strong emphasis on customer experience and delivering quality service at the right time.

Our approach to permitting rules and regulations focuses on compliance rather than enforcement , helping us provide consistent service while supporting customers through the permitting process. We’re committed to making New Hanover County a model of good governance and creating an experience where customers can do business with the County confidently and efficiently.

* * * *

Hours Hours are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday . Must be available to work during emergency situations.

Salary Information The target hiring range for this position is $40,048 - $54,064.50. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $40,048 - $68,081 . Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range.

New Hanover County Offers

• Employer paid 401k contributions;
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options;
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

Please check out our careers page at www.nhcgov.com/careers for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and two years of experience related to customer service and construction permitting and inspections processes OR an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, training, and experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the functions of the role and successfully perform the essential duties.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel and possess the ability to learn new software systems quickly.
• Must have excellent computer skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced customer-friendly office environment.

What Will Make Your Application Stand Out

• Understanding of permitting fee transactions.
• Experience conducting credit card transactions via phone.
• Understanding of the building process.
• Knowledge of permitting and inspection software programs, such as Tyler Technology's EnerGov COAST Permitting Portal.
• Experience working with customers in person and by telephone.
• Bilingual

Other Information

Application Status Applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants referred to the department will receive an email requesting important information pertinent to the position applied for. Please be sure to check your email for this communication so we may proceed with the next step in the recruitment process in a timely manner. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal. New Hanover County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New Hanover County offers a competitive benefits package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity to include

• Employer paid 401k deferred compensation contributions (5% for sworn law enforcement and 2.5% for all other benefits eligible positions);
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
• Medical, dental, vision insurance + many other insurance options;
• Employee assistance program;
• 100% employer paid long term disability;
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center which includes a nurse practitioner and physical therapist;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

Benefit options for eligible positions include medical, dental, elective supplemental insurance options including short-term disability, vision, flexible spending accounts, voluntary term life, cancer, accident, and critical illness policies. Employees who elect medical and dental insurance within the specified timelines provided during on-boarding, will have coverage effective on their date of hire. For more information about New Hanover County benefit options, including our benefit rates, please click here.

Please check out our careers page at www.nhcgov.com/careers for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.

Note: All positions listed as temporary, casual part time, volunteer, and intern are not eligible to receive benefits. P art-time position with fewer than 20 scheduled hours per week will not include benefits. 01

Please indicate your years of experience working with the construction permitting and inspections process.

• No experience working with the construction permitting and inspections process.
• Less than 2 years of experience working with the construction permitting and inspections process.
• 2 years but less than 4 years of experience working with the construction permitting and inspections process.
• More than 4 years of experience working with the construction permitting and inspections process.

02

Do you have experience using permitting and inspections software programs to process permit applications and inspection requests, such as "COAST", ENERGOV or similar program?

• Yes
• No

03

Please indicate your years of work experience maintaining accurate cash receipts and conducting credit card transactions.

• No work experience maintaining accurate cash receipts and conducting credit card transactions.
• Less than 2 years of work experience maintaining accurate cash receipts and conducting credit card transactions.
• 2 years but less than 4 years of work experience maintaining accurate cash receipts and conducting credit card transactions.
• More than 4 years of work experience maintaining accurate cash receipts and conducting credit card transactions.

04

Indicate your years of related administrative experience providing customer service using a multi line telephone and assisting the public via telephone and in person.

• No clerical experience
• Fewer than two years
• 2 years but fewer than 4 years
• 4 years experience or greater

05

Select the Microsoft applications with which you have work experience and are proficient.

• Word
• Excel
• Access
• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• Publisher
• None of the above

06

Please indicate the industries and settings in which you have work experience.

• Retail
• Private sector
• Government/public sector
• Banking
• Legal
• Medical
• Construction Related Industry
• Non-profit
• Other
• Required Question