Development Service Specialist

We’re looking for a Development Service Specialist who is equal parts problem-solver and people-person. Someone who can keep permits moving, help a contractor at the counter, and explain City requirements clearly without hiding behind jargon. To you, this work isn’t just about processing paperwork, it’s about helping projects move forward, supporting a well-run city, and making the process easier for everyone involved. You’re organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable juggling multiple tasks and interruptions while keeping things accurate and on track. You can read plans, understand regulations, and communicate next steps in a way that makes sense to customers, whether they’re experienced developers or first-time applicants. You work well with others, stay calm under pressure, and look for ways to improve processes along the way.

If you enjoy fast-paced, customer-facing work and want to play a key role in how development happens in Sumner, we'd love to have you join the City of Sumner. 

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This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt position. The regular work schedule for the Development Service Specialist is Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm and Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm. This position is primarily in-person, with a required on-site schedule Monday through Thursday; limited telework on Fridays may be available following successful completion of the probationary period. Attendance at evening meetings or other off-duty events is not anticipated. The incumbent in this position is not a Civil Service employee.

The Development Service Specialist is primarily responsible for the Permit Counter operations including technical and administrative duties. This position, although within Development Services, will be expected to work closely with permit review staff and provide support to other departments as necessary. This position works under the general supervision of the Development Services Engineering Manager or designee. This position will generally not supervise any staff except for occasional interns and/or temporary employees.

Examples of Duties:

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with average proficiency.

Examples of typical duties: 

• Provides customer facing, in person counter coverage to the public Monday through Thursday.
• Provides information and instruction to a variety of clients both internal and external regarding regulations, permit fees and procedures, and other development requirements.
• Manages the progress of a variety of permits through Development Services.
• Serves as the main point of contact for conveying permit status information to applicants.
• Assists with the coordination and use of permit tracking software by permit review staff and inspection staff to ensure consistent and efficient processing of permits.
• Prepares a variety of reports to track the status of development, permits, revenue, and other issues related to permits.
• Receives and monitors complaints from the public regarding violations of City ordinances, conveys information to appropriate department for resolution.
• Reviews all permit applications for completeness with requirements proposed by plan reviewers; provides correction notices to applicants.
• Organizes both paper and electronic permit and plan records in a logical and efficient fashion.
• Coordinates resolution of permit and procedure related conflicts between review staff and departments.
• Prepares correspondence to permit applicants and others regarding the status of various permit applications and proposals.
• Maintains logs and tracking systems including but not limited to: the FOG Control Program, Stormwater Maintenance Agreements, City ponds, recorded documents, Certificate of Insurance, and traffic impact credits. 
• Records Management, and Latecomer Agreements.
• Reviews and processes Street Obstruction Permits for a complete submittal for work in the right-of-way.   
• Works with the public processing permits and submittals, which includes inspection requests, street permit applications, and Health Department Certificates.
• Reviews applications for tank filling and hydrant flow meters.
• Reviews business licenses, obtains bonds and insurance, establishes permit fees and confirms final items.
• Updates and maintains changes to the System Development Charges.
• Coordinates the public notice process for Development Services projects.
• Performs other administrative duties such as processing invoices, preparing correspondence, filing etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience
Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the listed necessary knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

• High School/GED equivalent and two (2) years of college level course work or graduation from an accredited business training program. 
• At least two (2) years of full time experience as a permit specialist or similar position; 
• OR at least three (3) years of full time experience in construction, utility, or civil engineering work directly involving plans, specifications, permits, and related activity of which at least two (2) years involves working directly with customers.
   

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Basic uniform technical codes, utility standards, construction, land use regulation, and related procedures and fees;
• The requirements and basis for the following regulations and be able to provide basic information about their applicability:
  • Zoning
  • Design Guidelines
  • Resource, Wildlife, and Hazard Areas 
  • Building Code
  • Fire Code
  • Stormwater and utilities ordinances; 
• Business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation; 
• Generally accepted office procedures and practices;
• Excellent record keeping, organization, filing systems and practices; 
• Preparation of financial and statistical reports;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; 
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Computer software programs including Microsoft Office product suite.

Ability to:

Understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions;

Read and interpret various maps, legal descriptions, prints, plans, plats, utility drawings, both for conveying information to the public and accepting plan submittals;

Work constructively in a team environment with applicants and other staff to seek solutions;

Initiate procedural and operation improvements to enhance and improve the level of service provided by the Permit Center;

Convey technical information to the public in a clear and concise manner;

Interpret, apply, and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers;

Use of interpersonal skills with tact, patience, and courtesy;

Prioritize and schedule work;

Accurately enter data, maintain records, and generate reports;

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Maintain records, files, and filing systems;

Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, and accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including contractors, engineers, architects, government officials, general public and other staff. This would include in-person, written and oral communications;

Maintain reliable attendance;

Contribute to achieving the City's Mission.

Supplemental Information:

Physical Requirements
Requirements outlined in this job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, mobility, fingering, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting, most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Some positions may require greater periods of walking and/or standing.

Description of Work Environment
Work is performed in a noisy indoor office environment.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.
 
Background checks will include:

• Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
• Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
• Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
• Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
  • The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
  • The time since the conviction.
  • The number (if more than one) of convictions.
  • Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.
    The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:
• Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.
• Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City is an equal employment opportunity employer.  The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law.

Drug Free Workplace 
The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol.