Entry Level Community Development Jobs in Oregon

Salary : $47,403.40 - $65,627.31 Annually
Location : 85 SE D Street Madras, Oregon 97741, OR
Job Type: Full Time FTE with Benefits
Job Number: 2026_GE90
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Description
Prioritize your health and wellbeing!Work for Jefferson County and take advantage of six month's worth of vacation and sick leave upfront and low-cost family health insurance! Enjoy work-life balance.
Jefferson County is looking to hire a Permit Technician II or III, who would like to expand their skills and serve the community; we provide structured on-the-job training and support your progress toward required certifications.
First Application Review Date 08/28/2026
Annual Salary Range
Permit Technician II, $47,403.40 - $60,588.73
Permit Technician III, $51,345.49 - $65,627.31
Summary
The Permit Technician II is a key public relations position in the Community Development Department, with a key role in creating a positive, welcoming, and productive environment for the public and other staff.
The Permit Technician II assists the public regarding building and development permit processes administered by the Community Development Department, including issuing permits, calculating and receipting fees, coordinating permit applications and issuance of building permits, scheduling inspections, and performing general office duties. The position also supports and assists other department staff under the direction of the Administrative Supervisor. Provides direction to Permit Technician I.
The Permit Technician III is a key public relations position in the Community Development Department, with a key role in creating a positive, welcoming, and productive environment for the public and other staff.
The Permit Technician III assists the public regarding building and development permit processes administered by the Community Development Department, including issuing permits, calculating and receipting fees, coordinating permit applications and issuance of building permits, scheduling inspections, and performing general office duties. The position also supports and assists other department staff under the direction of the Administrative Supervisor. Provides guidance and direction to Permit Technicians I and II.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Permit Technician II works under the general supervision of the Community Development Director and directly under the Community Development Administrative Supervisor. This position processes and maintains County applications and assists customers with septic, building, and planning needs. Permit Technician I is the first step in the Community Development Technician series. Permit Technician II is distinguished from Permit Technician I in that the first level requires only entry-level knowledge of permit application requirements and State and local codes and regulations. The Permit Technician II classification requires the incumbent to be at the journey level with a thorough understanding of permit application requirements and State and local codes and regulations. Permit Technician I and II are flexible staffing classifications. Incumbents are considered to be on continuing training status and expected to work towards the Permit Technician III skill level.
Development Services Technician III is the advanced journey-level class in the Development Services Technician series. Incumbents lead and participate in the work of lower-level technical and administrative personnel and perform the more difficult analysis, permit processing, code compliance, and related technical duties in the assigned unit. Completed work is reviewed in terms of compatibility with requirements, effectiveness, and expected results. Development Services Technician III is distinguished from Development Services Technician II in that incumbents in the former class provide lead direction to other technical support staff, fulfill more complete project management assignments, and perform the most difficult and responsible technician-level work.
Essential Duties
Permit Technician II

• Answer customer questions regarding septic, building, or planning needs.
• Interpret and obtain information from plans and maps for the Community Development Department.
• Receive residential and small commercial applications from customers, review information, and process for approval.
• Accept information regarding complaints of violations and forward it to the appropriate staff member.
• Assist contractors and property owners with questions regarding the construction of septic systems.
• Assist realtors and appraisers with property information and permit history research.
• Receive and route visitors and incoming telephone calls on a multi-line phone system.
• Input application data into the permit system, process payments, review for completeness of permit application, and generate permits.
• Perform routine clerical duties such as sorting and distributing mail, filing, scanning and scheduling inspections.
• Assist in other areas as needed per Community Development Leadership.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment through daily interactions with County staff and the public.
• Actively contribute to a culture of mutual respect and professional growth.

Permit Technician III in addition to above duties

• Advise representatives from developers, architects, engineers, property owners, utilities, other governmental agencies, and contractors on technical matters to verify data, coordinate various stages of work, and explain the County's process, codes, and procedures.
• Accept and respond to complaints of violations.
• May perform simple plan review.
• Provide leadership direction and ensure that Technicians I and II provide high performance.
• Assist in other areas as needed per the Community Development Administrative Supervisor.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.

Qualifications
Knowledge and Skills:
Permit Technician II
Knowledge of basic math, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and using a ten-key calculator accurately. Knowledge of procedures of specialty permit programs and permit processes. Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations relating to the program area. Knowledge of architectural, engineering, construction, and development terminology and symbols applicable to assigned permit-processing responsibilities. Great oral communication skills. Superior cash handling skills.
Abilities:
Must communicate effectively with other employees, jurisdictions, and the general public using tact, courtesy, and good judgment. Ability to work with high accuracy and attention to detail to meet deadlines. Ability to read and interpret information on varied technical documents, maps, and records. Perform detailed work thoroughly, neatly, accurately, and efficiently.
Physical Abilities:
Ability to sit, work at a computer screen, and use rapid finger, hand, and arm movement for extended periods. Ability to stand, bend, stoop, and kneel.
Education and Experience:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Three (3) years of progressively responsible clerical, administrative support, or clerical experience, including directly working with the general public.
Licenses and Certificates:
Technician II must obtain the ICC (International Code Council) Permit Tech Certification within twelve (12) months of employment.
Permit Technician III
Knowledge of basic math, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and using a ten-key calculator accurately. Knowledge of procedures of specialty permit programs and permit processes. Knowledge and ability to apply federal and state laws and regulations relating to the program area. Knowledge of architectural, engineering, construction, and development terminology and symbols applicable to assigned permit-processing responsibilities. Great oral communication skills. Superior cash handling skills.
Abilities
Must communicate effectively with other employees, jurisdictions, and the general public using tact, courtesy, and good judgment. Ability to work with high accuracy and attention to detail to meet deadlines. Ability to read and interpret information on varied technical documents, maps, and records. Perform detailed work thoroughly, neatly, accurately, and efficiently and be able to problem solve.
Physical Abilities
Ability to sit, work at a computer screen, and use rapid finger, hand, and arm movement for extended periods. Ability to stand, bend, stoop, and kneel.
Education and Experience
High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Five (5) years of progressively responsible clerical, administrative support, or clerical experience, including directly working with the general public. Two (2) years of direct experience in building, planning, and/or onsite.
Licenses and Certifications
Must possess an ICC (International Code Council) Permit Tech Certification.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions
Work is performed mainly indoors, where some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of light-to-medium weight yet awkward materials.
Probationary Requirement
This position is based on the successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.

• Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical, with Vision and Dental coverage - low-deductible plan with low premium for employee + family
  • Deductible: $200 single / $600 family
  • Employee monthly premium (Single, Married, or Family coverage) $149.08 (July 2026 - July 2027 rates)
• VEBA HRA Account - $1,000 annual employer contribution
• Vacation Leave - option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date
  Length of ServiceHours per MonthDays per Year (based on 8 hr/day)
  First 2 Years (0-24 Months)9.3414.02 Years (25-48 Months)11.016.54 Years (49-72 Months)12.6719.06 Years (73-96 Months)14.3421.58 years (97-120 Months)16.024.010 Years (121-144 Months)16.6725.012+ Years (145+ Months)17.3426.0
• Sick Leave - 8 hours per month (option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date)
• 11 Paid Holidays, plus Christmas Eve Day holiday when Dec 24th falls on Monday-Thursday
• Oregon PERS Retirement (employer/employee participation varies)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 457(b) Deferred Comp Plans Available
• Supplemental Insurance Plans (Life, Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, Dental, Hospital, and Vision)
• Flexible Spending Plans (FSA) - healthcare and dependent care
• Discounted Air Ambulance membership available
• Life Insurance, up to $40,000 employer paid: $20,000 if enrolled in LIUNA health plan. An additional $20,000 policy from Mutual of Omaha for the 2026 calendar year; continuation of this policy is an annual decision by the Board of County Commissioners.