Career Opportunity

0933 - PERMIT SERVICES MANAGER

Recruitment: RTF0137744-01046023

Published: August 08, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The Department of Building Inspection oversees the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of City building, housing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and disability access codes for San Francisco’s more than 200,000 buildings.  This position is located at 49 South Van Ness Avenue.

Role description

The Permit Services Manager is a permanent exempt position to supplement the work of the Deputy Director for Permit services. This position will be responsible for change management and manages, plans, assigns and directs the activities of the Building Plan Review Services, Specialty Plan Review Services, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Plan Review Services, Permit Coordination Services, and Technical Services sections. It provides technical and managerial oversight and coordinates the construction permitting and engineering review activities for construction projects of considerable size and complexity; and performs highly responsible and complex engineering/architectural and administrative work. For this reason, demonstrable job experience managing plan check staff, or California licensure as a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer or Architect is desired. The position requires sound knowledge of the development planning, design, permitting, and construction, including construction sequencing and construction management. Knowledge of State Building Codes, State law pertaining to government operations, business and professions, and health and safety are necessary to be successful. It also requires the ability to work collaboratively across City agencies and find Citywide solutions for permitting challenges.

Supervision Exercised: Supervises professional and sub-professional engineers, architects, technicians, inspectors and other related personnel by assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work assignments and performance. This high-level manager may manage or oversee the personnel of an entire division or team that includes engineering, architect and/or administrative functions.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

1. Plans, directs and coordinates the plan review activities of the Building, Specialty and Over-the-Counter plan review sections engaged in complex engineering and/or architectural construction projects; reviews and approves plans, alternates to the code, and makes decisions on whether a project qualifies for expedited review for such projects; and advises subordinate personnel on policy and procedural matters relating to work programs and new legislation.

2. Manages the changes that are needed to transform and modernize the Permit Services Division from the use of technology, to formulating and executing new processes and procedures.

3. Establishes, prepares, manages, reviews and monitors organizational budget(s) to ensure that there are sufficient resources to complete programs and projects and takes corrective actions when necessary.

4. Establishes and evaluates organizational goals and objectives, assigns priorities, ensures the use of effective work plans and methods to achieve goals, ensures objectives are met within schedule, monitors progress, ensures the use of effective work plans and methods to achieve goals, evaluates the performance of the organization, and initiates changes in structure, policies, and procedures when needed to increase efficiency, quality, and customer service.

5. Plans, coordinates and directs the activities of professional engineering and/or architectural personnel with those of contractors, subcontractors, state and local agencies, and inspection and construction personnel with a view toward resolving construction problems and assuring that projects are completed in conformance with approved plans.

6. Mentors and supervises subordinate personnel, completes performance appraisals, and participates in the disciplinary process when necessary. Plans and evaluates staff performance, ensures effective use of personnel and resources, develops action plans to improve employee productivity.

7. Establishes plan review standards to serve as a guide for designers and builders; develops key performance indicators for completion of intake, pre-plan review activities, plan review and permit issuance.

8. Develops standards and systems for estimates of construction costs to assure that adequate fees are assessed for the services rendered.

9. Oversees development and approval of code interpretations.

10. Participates in establishing new City programs by proposing legislative changes, planning implementation and communication strategies, engaging in stakeholder meetings, documenting processes, and training staff.

11. Writes policies, procedures, correspondence, and evaluations, and reviews and approves correspondence and, technical reports for accuracy and adherence to the policies of the organization.

12. Confers and coordinates with operating division managers, other departments and state and local agencies on engineering and/or architectural projects and on operational problems; provides advice and consultation; and directs and is responsible for the execution of necessary actions.

13. Makes presentations to boards, organizations, and the public on engineering and/or architectural programs and projects, justifies budget requests, and responds to inquiries.

14. May drive a vehicle to meetings, conferences, project construction sites, and work sites. May be required to manage and direct engineers and inspectors in the field during emergency response times.

15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job-Related and Essential Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Managerial essentials of technical material, soft “human” skills, and high-level conceptual scenarios.  The ideal candidate with have a good balance of the following:

1.  Professional skills: An individual that interprets laws and regulations and exercises independent judgment in the application of defined principles, practices and regulations.

2.  Supervisorial skills: An individual having authority and exercising independent judgment to effectively recommend to hire/promote, discipline, assign, reward or adjust the grievances of other employees.

3.  Managerial skills: An individual in a high level administrative and policy-influencing position who plans, organizes, staffs, leads and controls a major function or effort for the purpose of accomplishing organizational goals.

4.  Knowledge of principles and practices of engineering and/or architecture, including Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, codes, standards, rules, and regulations applicable to the planning and design, construction, operation and maintenance work of individual units; management and administrative techniques; and planning, budgeting and scheduling for a division or department.

5.  Ability to: Plan, coordinate and direct the work of professional, technical, engineering and architectural personnel engaged in the review of related construction projects; meet and consult with professional personnel and officials on complex administrative matters; effectively communicate orally at public hearings and in writing reports and technical recommendations to boards and commissions; represent the department in meetings with management and executive members; and direct the maintenance of important and complex construction records and reports.

How to qualify

EDUCATION: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of verifiable professional experience in engineering, architect and/or administrative function related to building plan reviews or construction permitting, of which three (3) years of experience must include supervising professionals; AND 

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to 4 years of the required education. One year (2,000 hours) of additional qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION: 1) Knowledge of modern engineering and architectural methods and techniques; 2) Possession of a valid California License as a Registered Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical or Traffic Engineer; 3) Additional special engineering licensing and/or work experience in Construction Management, Structural Design, Fire Protection, Geo-technical Engineering, and/or Environmental.

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates’ qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. 

What else should I know?

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Job class: 0933 - Permit Services Manager
Starting salary range: $167,908 - $214,344
Role type: Permanent Exempt What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time

Information about the Hiring Process: click here

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Yvonne Lin, by email at yvonne.lin@sfgov.org. 

Filing Deadline: Interested Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement may close on September 9, 2023.

General Information concerning City and County of San Francisco Employment Policies and Procedures:
Important Employment Information for the City and County of San Francisco can be obtained at http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=20 or hard copy at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.