Permit Technician (Investigations)

Permit Technician (Investigations)

Salary

$21.98 - $23.46 Hourly

Location

Houston

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

39467

Department

Houston Public Works

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Accepting Applications from: All Persons Interested

Service Line/Section: Houston Permitting Center/Code Enforcement & Compliance/Investigations

Reporting Location: 601 Sawyer St., Suite #110*

Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm*

• Subject to change*

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Under the general supervision, preforms a variety of paraprofessional support involved in the acceptance, review, and dissemination of a wide variety of building permit applications and documents. Provides information to customers on building permit requirements, codes, ordinances and inspection procedures.

• Process 311 Cases - City of Houston citizens have the right to report concerns in their

community. The Investigations section investigates 311 reports for possible violations

regarding: Unpermitted construction, Occupancy Violations, Multi Family Habitability

Violations, Unregulated Residential Facilities and Donation Box Violations.

• Prepares and processes administrative documents - Uses knowledge of the

departments operations, policies, procedures, codes, regulations and ordinances. Records, logs, compiles and maintains various permit related files, data, documents, plans and

reports.

• Provide guidance and customer support - respond to inquiries for general information on permitting processes and procedures through email, live chat and over the phone. Assist with the release of holds and other project issues.
• Technical Support - Liaise between IT staff and customers to resolve technical issues with permitting systems and/or facilitate remedies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable most of the time with occasional periods of stooping, bending and/or light lifting of materials up to 10 pounds. Requires the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli within moderately demanding tolerances.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier Ill level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a high school diploma or a GED.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Two years of experience as a Permit Technician Aide or in customer service are required.

An Associate degree may be substituted for the experience requirement.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates that have the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Experience using ILMS/iPermits, ProjectDox, lnfor, or similar electronic permitting, and plan review systems.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• International Code Council (ICC) Permit Technician certification or willing to obtain certification within six months of employment
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal skills
• Experience using live chat or customer experience (CX) software, such as Oracle Service Cloud or Microsoft Dynamics.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, the department may administer a skills assessment evaluation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidates qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 15

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-8085.

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-8085. (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Must be able to pass a criminal background check, obtain and maintain federally mandated security clearances where required.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employment

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individuals sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Less than a High School diploma/GED
• High School diploma/GED
• Associate degree or higher

03

How many verifiable years of experience as a Permit Technician Aide or in customer service do you have?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• No experience

04

Are you an International Code Council (ICC) certified Permit Technician?

• No - I have never been certified
• No - my certification has lapsed or expired
• Yes - my certification is active and valid

05

Describe your experience handling a large volume of customers through multiple service channels (in person, phone, email, and live chat). "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you dont have experience, please type "N/A".

06

How many years of experience do you have working with the software application Integrated Land Management System (ILMS)?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

07

How many years of experience do you have with the Customer Management System Q-Flow?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

08

How many years of experience do you have using Live Chat or customer experience (CX) software, such as Oracle Service Cloud or Microsoft Dynamics?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

09

Please share your professional experience using ILMS/iPermits, ProjectDox, lnfor, or similar electronic permitting and plan review systems. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you dont have experience, please type "N/A".

10

Please select the following application(s) that you are proficient in using. (Check all that apply)

• No experience
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook

11

Which languages do you speak, read and/or write fluently? (Check all that apply)

• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Mandarin
• Arabic
• I do not speak another language

12

Briefly share how your strong communication skills, including written and verbal communication, allowed you to successfully provide service to your internal and external customers. "See resume" is not an accepted answer. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A".

Required Question

Employer City of Houston

Address 901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website https://www.houstontx.gov/