Job Description

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE 60060

Effective Date:	Rev. 12/07A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to supervise the counter permit issuance function of the Construction Permit Section in the Development Services Department or the Utilities Coordination Section, Technical Services Division of the Engineering and Architectural Services Department. Work involves interpreting the City Construction Code, zoning requirements and other City ordinances, and advising and directing the work of Construction Permit Specialists I and II, Customer Service Clerks, Engineering Technicians, and Senior, Chief, and Principal Engineering Technicians. Work includes supervising the review and approval of plans for smaller construction projects; supervising plans for alterations or repairs of buildings and appurtenances; supervising plans submitted by utility companies for projects in the City's right-of-way; coordinating capital improvement projects with all the utilities during design and construction phases; and negotiating various utility agreements and licenses. Duties are performed with considerable technical independence under the general direction of a Deputy Development Services Director or an Engineering Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises and directs the Construction Permit Section or the Utilities Coordination Section through supervision of staff who review plans and specifications of small commercial buildings and appurtenances and plans submitted by utility companies for projects in the City's right-of-way, to approve and process construction and utility permit applications;
• Oversees the plans review of residential buildings, accessory structures, swimming pools, and mobile home parks to assure compliance with approved plans and applicable City codes and ordinances;
• Oversees utility coordination of capital improvement projects (CIP) during design and construction phases, including maintaining the CIP plan tracking database;
• Negotiates utility franchise agreements, telecommunication licenses, and irrigation licenses;
• Advises employees, contractors, homeowners and others on how to resolve difficult code compliance problems relating to zoning and permit application processing problems;
• Reviews the performance of staff and initiates training programs according to demonstrated needs;
• Assists applicants in the modification of plans to achieve proper construction and code conformance;
• Supervises the updating and revision of source data such as quarter section maps, subdivision plats, lot divisions and land area development;
• Ensures that plans near development areas do not conflict with pre-development limitations on construction or that required development approvals are secured;
• Responds to inquiries from staff, other City departments, and customers relating to the Construction Code, Zoning Ordinance and utilities conflicts, and communicates department policies to City staff and the public;
• Estimates the value of construction to determine permit fees and whether additional plans must be filed and/or additional approvals obtained;
• Resolves disputes or complaints from applicants;
• Reads code updates and ordinance changes, and attends seminars to keep current with code changes and new ordinances;
• Reviews and interprets codes and ordinances and recommends changes, additions, and implementation procedures;
• Manages and directs monthly utilities coordination meetings;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision.
• Leadership styles and skills.
• Building and utilities (water/sewer, telecommunications, streets, etc.) construction, materials and methods, and all stages of construction.
• City codes, ordinances and directives, including building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and zoning requirements as applied to residential construction projects and less complex commercial projects, and utilities projects in the right-of-way.
• Fundamentals of design of reinforced concrete, steel, timber and other structures.
• Computer data entry, AutoCAD, presentation and spreadsheet software.

Ability to:

• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Read and accurately interpret plans, specifications, legal descriptions or other pertinent data.
• Work cooperatively with City employees, other governmental entities, contractors, engineers, architects and the general public.
• Communicate in the English language by phone or in person in a one-to-one or group setting.
• Draw or letter charts, schedules, graphs, maps or similar objects.
• Use graphic instructions, such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to the incumbent or others.
• Work outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.

Additional Requirements:

• By the end of probation, must possess a total of five certifications from the following areas:

  Building

  • ICC Residential Building Inspector

  Electrical

  • ICC Residential Electrical Inspector
    OR
    
  • IAEI Electrical 1&2 Family Dwelling

  Mechancial

  • ICC Residential Mechanical Inspector

  Plumbing

  • IAPMO Plumbing Inspector
    OR
    
  • ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector

  Energy

  • ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner

  AND one of the following:

  • ICC CBO Legal/Management
  • ICC CBO Technology Examination

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Two years of experience in reviewing construction plans (including utilities, architectural, and civil), schedules, and other data to ensure conformance with Phoenix building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes and ordinances including experience supervising and training a technical staff (two years at the level of Construction Permit Specialist II or Structural Inspections Field Supervisor or Principal Engineering Technician) supplemented by college-level courses in building construction technology. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.