Permitting Program Manager

The Presidio Trust is seeking a Permitting Program Manager in the Planning and Compliance Department. Once an Army Base, the Presidio of San Francisco is now a new kind of national park. The 1,500-acre Presidio is richly layered in history, is a natural oasis for wildlife, plants, and people, and offers iconic views known around the world. In its third decade as a park, public awareness and enjoyment of this exceptional place continues grow.

The Permitting Program Manager provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the Presidio Trust's permitting program. Reporting to the Director of Planning & Compliance, the position administers permitting operations under delegated authority from the Director, who serves as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The position directs and coordinates permit administration, plan review, code compliance, inspections, and customer service functions, ensuring development projects comply with the Trust's adopted building codes, regulations, permitting procedures, and design standards.

The position exercises significant independent judgment in administering permitting operations, interpreting adopted codes and policies, and making technical recommendations. The Permitting Program Manager plays a key leadership role in supporting the Trust's capital improvement program, tenant development, infrastructure projects, and stewardship of the Presidio as a National Historic Landmark District. The position collaborates with internal departments, consultants, regulatory agencies, tenants, and project teams to facilitate efficient project delivery while protecting public health, safety, welfare, historic resources, and the natural environment. The position manages the daily operations of the Permitting Office, including staff supervision, consultant oversight, budgeting, contract administration, permit fee management, performance reporting, and continuous improvement of permitting processes and customer service. The work requires periodic field visits to construction sites and adherence to applicable job site safety practices.

This is a full-time position with benefits and a starting pay range of $172,458 to $188,706, based in the SF Bay Area. The starting base salary is dependent on the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Applications received by August 14, 2026 will receive first consideration.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Trust's permitting program, including permit administration, plan review, inspections, code compliance, and customer service.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, operational standards, and best practices that improve permitting services, efficiency, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish program goals, priorities, performance measures, and work plans that align permitting operations with the Trust's strategic objectives.
• Provide leadership, technical guidance and operational direction to permitting staff, consultants, and project teams to support timely, consistent and high-quality project delivery.
• Foster a customer-focused permitting program that provides timely, consistent, and transparent service while ensuring compliance with adopted codes and regulations.
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and a commitment to public service while fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability, and alignment with the Trust's mission and organizational values.

Permitting & Code Administration

• Administer the Trust's adopted building codes, permitting policies, and related regulations under delegated authority from the Director of Planning & Compliance, ensuring consistent application and effective program delivery.

• Direct and coordinate plan review activities for building, infrastructure, landscape, transportation, utility, and tenant improvement projects.

• Lead the review of permit applications, plans, and supporting documentation for compliance with adopted codes, Trust policies, accessibility requirements, and applicable environmental and historic preservation requirements.

• Coordinate inspections and compliance activities throughout construction to verify adherence to approved plans, permit conditions, and applicable codes and standards.

• Evaluate requests for alternate methods, code modifications, and technical interpretations; develop recommendations and solutions consistent with adopted codes and Trust policies.

• Recommend updates to the Trust's building codes, permitting procedures, and technical policies to improve program effectiveness and incorporate evolving industry standards and best practices.

• Lead the evaluation, implementation and optimization of permitting technologies, electronic plan review systems, and process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer service

• Develop and maintain comprehensive permitting procedures, technical guidance, and training materials that promote consistency, knowledge transfer, and organizational resilience.

• Identify and manage permitting and code compliance risks through sound technical review, documentation, documentation, issue resolution and consistent application of adopted codes and policies.

Project Support & Interagency Coordination

• Provide technical code guidance and permitting expertise throughout project planning, design, construction and occupancy phases.
• Collaborate with Planning, Park Design & Construction, Engineering, Public Safety, Environmental Compliance (NEPA), Historic Preservation, Real Estate, Utilities, Transportation, Legal, and other Trust departments to facilitate successful project delivery.
• Partner closely with the Fire Marshal and Department of Public Safety to coordinate fire and life safety reviews, resolve complex code compliance issues, and support consistent application and enforcement of the Trust's adopted building and fire codes.
• Coordinate with tenants, architects, engineers, contractors, utility providers, and outside agencies regarding permitting requirements, project schedules, and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in interdisciplinary project review teams and provide recommendations regarding code compliance, constructability, occupancy, and permitting requirements.
• Support delivery and construction of major capital improvement projects and tenant development initiatives throughout the Presidio by proactively identifying permitting challenges and facilitating timely resolution.

Financial & Contract Management

• Develop, manage and monitor the annual operating budget for the Permitting Program.
• Administer consultant contracts supporting plan review, inspections, and specialized technical services, including scope development, performance oversight and contract administration.
• Manage permit fee revenue, recommend fee structures or adjustments, and support cost recovery objectives.
• Monitor consultant performance, workload, schedules and contract expenditures to ensure effective, timely and cost-efficient service delivery.

Program Administration & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, implement and monitor key performance indicators for permit intake, plan review, inspections, permit issuance, customer service, and overall program efficiency.
• Prepare reports, analysis and recommendations for the Director of Planning & Compliance regarding program performance, operational improvements, resource needs and emerging issues.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve permitting processes through technology, process improvements, policy updates, and organizational best practices.
• Maintain accurate permitting records and ensure compliance with applicable documentation, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises and mentors up to 1 full-time staff person. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Agency’s policies, directives, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, and mentoring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; fostering continuous improvement and staff development; scheduling time off; rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

Provides technical direction and oversight to consultant architects, engineers, plan reviewers, inspectors, and other specialized professionals supporting the Trust's permitting program

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, planning, public administration, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and progressively responsible professional experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in permitting, building code administration, construction, engineering, architecture, project management, or a closely related field, including experience leading complex programs, supervising staff and consultants, and managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated experience administering permitting, plan review, inspections, building code compliance, or other construction regulatory programs.
• Knowledge of the International Building Code (IBC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), accessibility requirements, and related construction codes and standards.
• Experience managing consultants, budgets, contracts, and multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical information, exercise sound judgment, solve complex problems, and make timely decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively technical information, recommendations and program matters with executive leadership, staff, consultants, contractors, tenants, public agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, project stakeholders, and technical professionals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using electronic permitting and project management and related technology systems.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, one or more applicable International Code Council (ICC) certifications within a reasonable period after appointment.

Desired Qualifications

• ICC Certified Building Official (CBO) certification or equivalent advanced ICC certifications.
• Professional registration as an Architect or Professional Engineer.
• Experience working within a municipal, county, federal, or other public agency permitting program.
• Experience administering permits and building code compliance for historic buildings, adaptive reuse projects, or National Historic Landmark Districts.
• Familiarity with the California Historical Building Code, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other regulatory requirements applicable to historic properties.
• Experience supporting large, complex capital improvement or infrastructure programs.
• Knowledge of public sector budgeting, fee administration, procurement, and contract management.
• Experience leading organizational change, business process improvements, or implementation of electronic permitting systems.
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships, mentor staff, improve organizational performance, and foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams

Background Check
This position is subject to an employment background check which shall consist of a review of applicable county, state and Federal criminal and civil records, state bankruptcy indexes, driver’s license, education, employment history, and professional licenses. An individual’s granting of a background check and resulting report is voluntary. However, employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an employment background check. The Presidio Trust may refuse to hire an individual, may rescind an offer of employment to an individual, or may review and terminate the employment of a current employee not successfully completing the background check.

Financial Disclosure
This position will require the completion of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, both as a New Entrant into the position and annually thereafter. The purpose of the financial disclosure system is to assist employees and their agencies in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.

The Presidio Trust is an equal opportunity employer, offering a competitive benefits package. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov/about/presidio-trust/careers.