Permit Assistant Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $5,782.00 - $7,224.00 Monthly
Location : Lakewood City Hall, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00057
Department: Public Works and Planning
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB SUMMARY
Are you seeking an opportunity to work in a collaborative, diverse and dynamic Department focused on improving customer services and processes across several programs and services?
The City of Lakewood's Planning and Public Works Department is a diverse, dynamic and talented team of professionals working to improve the quality of life for all Lakewood residents. The Department is entrusted with a wide range of public services including community planning, building and maintaining transportation and stormwater infrastructure, managing the health of our lakes, building and land use permitting, housing services and rental assistance, economic development and much more!
This position is at the center of the City's permitting operations and serves as a key connection between customers and technical review staff. On a typical day, the Permit Technician will assist customers with permit questions, generate reports, receive and process applications, review submittals for required information, issue permits, schedule inspections, maintain accurate permit records, and help customers navigate online permitting tools and City processes.
Under the direction of the Permit Center Supervisor, the position also works closely with planners, engineers, building staff, inspectors and other subject matter experts to help keep permits moving through the review process. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, comfort with technology, the ability to learn complex processes quickly and a customer-service mindset focused on providing clear information and helping customers understand their next steps. The role also provides opportunities to identify process improvements, reduce unnecessary steps and help make the permitting experience more efficient for both customers and staff.
This is an AFSCME represented position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Administrative and Technical Support
- Assist with receiving permit application submittal packages.
- Verify current State licensing and current City business license and issue permits according to established procedures.
- Assist with tracking expired permits.
- Assist in the coordination of inspection activities.
- Schedule inspections and provide inspection files.
- Route technical inquiries to an appropriate inspector.
- Operate office machines and equipment including a personal computer, printer, calculator, fax machine, and copier.
Records Maintenance
- Input information related to permit applications into the city's computer system.
- Utilize software application to maintain files and records and to produce correspondence and reports.
- Prepare compliance forms, noncompliance forms, notice and orders, and submit to the City Clerk to be recorded.
- Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to permit issuance and routing activities; maintain active permit files, process finalized permit files, and convert or cancel permit files according to established procedures.
Staff and Customer Service Support
- Assist the public and city staff with the routing process for building permits, zoning permits, engineering permits, and business licenses.
- Explain and provide information to the public regarding permit requirements and the permitting process.
- Answer questions related to building inspection processes and requirements.
- Assist the public with basic code enforcement information; receive complaints over the telephone or in person; maintain confidentiality of the complainant and issues; refer questions and complaints to the Code Enforcement Officer and other inspectors as needed.
- Answer incoming telephone lines for the Community Development Department; assist callers as appropriate and take messages or refer to proper personnel as necessary.
- Communicate with City departments and outside organizations to coordinate activities, exchange information, and to resolve issues and concerns.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Attendance
Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Safety
Actively champion a culture of and commitment to workplace safety through everyday actions and leadership.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that would likely provide the candidate with the knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the job will be considered. A typical combination is: graduation from high school or GED equivalent and two years increasingly responsible clerical and customer service experience involving filing and interpretation and application of regulations or technical guidelines.
Bi-lingual ability in Korean or Spanish is highly desirable.
ICC Permit Technician certification highly desired.
Valid Washington State driver's license by date of hire.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Lakewood Municipal Code concepts and terminology.
Building code concepts and terminology.
Basic operations of the Community Development Department.
Basic rules, regulations, and requirements regarding the issuance of development permits.
Operation of a personal computer and related software.
Interpersonal skills including tact, patience, courtesy, and etiquette. Oral and written communication skills.
Record keeping techniques.
ABILITY TO:
Learn, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Provide information to the public regarding permit requirements and procedures.
Issue a variety of permits for the Community Development Department as assigned.
Read and interpret blueprints, maps, and technical drawings.
Maintain records, reports and files. Complete work with many interruptions.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Work independently with little direction.
Operate a variety of office equipment, including computers and related software.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
for
AFSCME MEMBERS
This is a summary of benefits and is not meant to be all inclusive. Please refer to Local 1938, Washington State Council of County and City Employees of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees collective bargaining agreement, City policies and plan booklets for details.
WORK HOURS
The normal work week is five consecutive days of not more than eight hours per day, exclusive of lunch period. City Hall is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where appropriate, alternative work schedules may be established, providing that not more than forty hours are scheduled per work week.
SALARY INCREASES
Step increases are granted annually upon successful completion of a performance evaluation until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
HOLIDAYS
Employees are granted the following paid holidays:
New Year's Day
M.L. King, Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving
the day after Thanksgiving
Christmas day
Employees accrue one floating holiday on their anniversary date, which must be used within the following 12 month period. Holiday pay is pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week.
PAID TIME OFF
Paid time off leave is a benefit granted to employees to continue normal compensation during approved absences. Leave may be accumulated for succeeding years; however, the maximum accrual may not exceed 1,100 hours at the end of the calendar year.
Accrual Rate:
During the 1st year 200 hours of leave per year
After the 1st thru 2nd year 208 hours of leave per year
After the 2nd thru 4th year 216 hours of leave per year
After the 4th thru 9th year 232 hours of leave per year
After the 9th thru 14th year 264 hours of leave per year
After the 14th thru 20th year 296 hours of leave per year
After the 20th thru 29th year 312 hours of leave per year
After the 29th year 320 hours of leave per year
Paid time off leave accrual is pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week.
SHARED LEAVE
If an employee exhausts all paid leave because of medical reasons, they may be eligible to receive donated paid time off leave from other employees.
MILITARY LEAVE
Employees who are members of any federal military reserve unit or the Washington National Guard will receive up to twenty-one working days of paid leave during each year beginning October 1 and ending September 30, while engaged in active training duty or active duty.
The City will maintain continuity of health benefits to employees' families when employees are ordered to involuntary active military duty. Military differential pay is available during active military duty of more than 30 days and for no longer than 24 months.
JURY DUTY LEAVE
Employees will be paid their regular compensation while serving on jury duty provided they forfeit the juror's daily stipend to the City.
RETIREMENT PLAN
Employees and the City make contributions to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3.
Under Social Security's Government Pension Offset, any Social Security spouse's or widow's or widower's benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from the City's retirement plan.
SOCIAL SECURITY REPLACEMENT
In lieu of Social Security, the City provides an alternative plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation. The employee contributes 6.20% and the City contributes 4.77% of the employee's salary. The employee's investment choices range from conservative (low risk) to aggressive (high risk) opportunities. Employees are immediately 100% vested in the plan.
Under Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision, any Social Security retirement or disability benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from this replacement plan.
VOLUNTARY 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan is available to employees through payroll deduction. This is an optional investment program. The City matches an employee's contribution up to 3% of the employee's base monthly pay rate.
VOLUNTARY FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
The Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125) is an optional tax savings program which is offered to employees annually. It allows employees to reduce taxable income by using part of their salary on a pretax basis to pay for out of pocket health care expenses and dependent care costs.
The effective date of health insurance coverage is the first day of the month following hire.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Three medical plans are offered to employees and dependents through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC): the Regence High Deductible Health Plan (with a health savings account), the Regence HealthFirst Plan ($250 deductible), and the Kaiser Permanente Plan ($200 deductible).
Premiums are pro-rated based on FTE status for part-time employees.
Employees may be eligible to opt out of medical insurance coverage to receive $3,600 annually (pro-rated each pay period). Part-time employees may be eligible to opt out to receive an equivalent pro-rated amount.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, confidential resource available to employees, dependents and household members. The EAP provides professional counseling assistance in addressing a variety of concerns ranging from substance abuse to relationship issues. Premiums are paid by the City.
VISION INSURANCE*
The Vision Service Plan (VSP) provides for annual eye examinations for employees and dependents. A $25 deductible benefit is provided for lenses, frames and contact lenses.
DENTAL INSURANCE*
Washington Dental Service (WDS) Plan E insurance is provided through AWC. This is an incentive based plan - 70% to 100% of the cost for Class I and Class II benefits (routine exams, basic cleanings, x-rays, fillings, etc.) is covered. Class III benefits (crowns, inlays and onlays) are paid at 50%. The plan pays a maximum of $2,000 per individual annually for covered benefits. A separate orthodontia plan provides a one time orthodontia benefit of $1,000 for eligible children.
*The City pays the entire premium cost for full-time employees and their dependents. Premiums for part-time employees and their dependents are pro-rated based on the employee's FTE status.
LIFE & LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
The City provides the following insurance coverage for employees through Standard Insurance (a copy of each plan certificate will be provided during orientation). The insurance is effective the first of the month following hire, unless an employee is hired on the first day of the month, in which case the coverage is effective immediately.
SURVIVOR INCOME LIFE INSURANCE
A monthly survivor income benefit is paid to an employee's eligible spouse and children upon the employee's death. Prior to any reduction for Social Security survivor's benefits, a benefit amount equal to 30% of the employee's insured earnings is paid to the spouse or children, and 60% is paid if both s