City Building Inspector Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Salary Range
4,725.00 - 6,042.00Job Summary
With a fabulous waterfront, vibrant downtown, great parks, neighborhoods and public spaces, a commitment to smart growth, excellent service delivery and community engagement, Vancouver, Washington is all grown up, and we need excellent talent to keep us going (and growing) strong!
We're currently recruiting for a Permit Specialist/Senior Permit Specialist. The primary responsibilities for the job are to confer with and advise members of the general public, property owners, architects, engineers, developers, and others regarding City building and planning and other pertinent development policies, procedures and standards; provide and explain requirements of building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, system development charges, and related codes and ordinances. Review applications and construction plans for completeness; issue permits for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and related work; calculate fees. Accept, review, and recommend actions regarding various land use related applications including those related to business licenses and land use permits; verify possession of State license; calculate fees. Accept plan check applications; calculate fees; electronically log plans; report status checks; identify required plan corrections with correct code requirements; route and track for plan review. Perform data entry of essential development review permit information into permit system software program. Follow up on reports, correspondence, emails, and items requiring further notices and permit action. Research and process public disclosure requests and permit information requests. Prepare, maintain, and update department files and records; utilize electronic methods for storage.
This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPEIU union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 4:30pm.
Permit Specialist salary - $4,725 - $6,042
Senior Permit Specialist salary - $5,481 - $7,006
Salary for this position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement with negotiated step increases based on seniority. The starting salary for most candidates will be at the beginning of the listed range, equal to Step 1 of the step cycle for the range. Directly related experience will be considered for step credit at hire, with such credit not to exceed Step 4, the approximate midpoint of the listed range.Job Details
Essential Functions:

• Confer with and advise members of the general public, property owners, architects, engineers, developers, and others regarding City building and planning and other pertinent development policies, procedures and standards; provide and explain requirements of building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, system development charges, and related codes and ordinances
• Coordinate with other staff and departments to ensure correct and complete information is received on submittals for building, fire, grading, engineering, and land use applications
• Accurately enter data into the permitting and electronic plan review system. Review electronic plan review submittals for completeness. Authenticate licensing of contractors. Act as front-line technical support in assisting customer through the electronic plan review process
• Assign reviewers and route submittals to appropriate departments. Ensure accurate reviews are performed and correct timelines are generated. Accurately identify and determine unique project needs and exercise independent judgement to make modifications as needed
• Follow up on reports, correspondence, emails, and items requiring further notices and permit action
• Perform cashiering duties: manage a cash drawer, issue change, receipts, and balance personal drawer daily. Calculate fees, perform refunds, waive fees, and make fee adjustments as warranted. Generate daily and monthly audit reports
• Examine permits at time of issuance, reviewing that accurate fees have been calculated and all contractual conditions have been met. Issue permits and assist with coordination or scheduling of inspections, and support applicant with inspection questions
• Maintain records for permanent retention
• Provide staff coverage as needed
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications
Experience and Education
Permit Specialist

• Two years of responsible clerical experience including public contact, preferably in an active office environment
• Equivalent to a HS Diploma/GED

Senior Permit Specialist

• ICC Permit Technician or Residential Plans Examiner certification.
• Two years of responsible clerical experience including public contact, preferable in an active office environment; AND
• One year of work in a multi-task team-oriented office environment that includes experience with processing building, development, fire, and land use permit; AND
• One year of inspection and code enforcement violations / procedures using web and automated data base resources; AND
• One year of working knowledge and experience with permit software and electronic permit review software; AND
• One year of working knowledge and experience with all data management related software (Access, Excel, etc.)
• Equivalent to a HS Diploma/GED

*Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Computer Skills

• Permit tracking database systems: Workday, Infor, Project Dox, Hummingbird, Clark County GIS
• Intermediate skills in all Microsoft applications
• Intermediate skills in Adobe

Required Licenses and/or Certifications
Ability to obtain:

• Permit Technician Certification

Knowledge

• Construction Plans, construction terminology, construction practices and basic math
• Building trades, methods, terminology, and documentation
• Customer service standards of communication methods and techniques
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing to include electronic records
• Knowledge and procedure of cash handling
• Business letter writing, email communications, and basic report preparation
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws that pertain to: Building Codes, City of Vancouver and other local agency permit processing regulations and procedures
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Learn and apply methods and practices for proficient use of permit system and electronic plan review software.
• Learn, interpret, and apply building codes, development review policies, and procedures.
• Perform general technical and administrative work involving detailed data entry in permit software and electronic plan review software.
• Use of independent judgement, personal initiative and team work.
• Perform cashiering duties and receipt funds for the City of Vancouver.
• Perform research on customer fees such as calculate, adjust, and refund fees as needed.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City of Vancouver and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software.
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver's Operating Principles.
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees.
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times.
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others.
• Consistently provide quality service.
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check and a credit check.
The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!
Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.
Veterans' Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us
Job Posting End Date
August 6, 2026