Career Opportunity

Private Sector Permits Manager-Public Works (0932)(156482)

Recruitment: RTF0156475-01088398

Published: June 16, 2025

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

About:

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.  

Application Opening:  Monday, June 16, 2025
Application Deadline:  Monday, June 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST
*The application filing will be open at least through Monday, June 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST and will close at any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $164,034 to $209,300 annually
*Effective July 1, 2025, Range A compensation for this classification is between $167,336 and $213,512
Recruitment ID: PBT-0932-156482, RTF0156475-01088398
Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service 

The current position is located at the San Francisco Department of Public Works. The eligible list resulting from this examination may be utilized for future positions in this class in other City departments. 

San Francisco Public Works (SF Public Works) is recruiting to fill the position of Private Sector Permits Manager (0932)

San Francisco Public Works has a far-reaching portfolio with a $453 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings; manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.

Please visit the “About Us” section of our website at https://www.sfpublicworks.org about to learn more about the department’s core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more.

Role description

Job Description
As the Manager of the Private Sector Permits Team, you will oversee the operations of a high-performing team responsible for reviewing and issuing permits for private sector activities in the public right-of-way. This includes ensuring compliance with City standards, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and representing the department in public forums.

This leadership position requires strong organizational, interpersonal, and technical skills to manage staff, streamline permitting processes, and effectively collaborate across City agencies to maintain a safe and accessible urban environment.

Important and Essential duties:

Leadership & Team Management 

• Plan, assign, monitor, and evaluate the work of the team engaged in permit application review and issuance. 

• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to team members, fostering professional development and growth. 

• Determine staffing levels, address recruitment and retention challenges, and conduct regular performance appraisals to maintain operational efficiency. 

Permit Review & Issuance Oversight 

• Oversee permitting operations at San Francisco’s Permit Center, ensuring a seamless partnership with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). 

• Review and approve the first "addendum" to building permits, including grading, site excavation, and shoring plans, ensuring compliance with City codes, ADA regulations, and California Title 24. 

• Develop, implement, and maintain standards, policies, and procedures for permit reviews to improve process transparency and efficiency. 

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Act as a primary point of contact for Public Works divisions, City agencies, contractors, and the public regarding private sector permits. 

• Work closely with the Manager of Public Project Permits to ensure consistency and equitable resource allocation between the two (2) permitting teams. 

• Represent Public Works at public hearings, Board of Supervisors meetings, legal proceedings, and other forums, advocating for permitting policies and procedures. 

Strategic Planning & Policy Development 

• Assist senior leadership in revising programs, goals, and objectives to align with the department’s strategic priorities. 

• Evaluate current permitting processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead efforts to implement changes. 

• Monitor service levels and permit metrics to ensure operational goals are met, providing regular updates to senior leadership. 

Public Engagement & Outreach 

• Address public inquiries, concerns, and disputes regarding private sector permits. 

• Participate in citywide initiatives to activate shared public spaces and support businesses through equitable permitting practices. 

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications 

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Experience: Six (6) years of verifiable professional experience in implementing agency programs, policies and procedures related to permit review and issuance related to street and/or construction permitting.  Qualifying experience must include a minimum of three (3) years supervising professionals performing relevant construction permitting duties.

Education Substitution: Additional qualifying experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to the maximum of two (2) years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year. 

Experience Substitution:  Possession of a Juris Doctorate (J.D.), Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Engineering, Architecture or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required professional experience; possession of civil/structural engineering licensure may substitute for one (1) year of the required professional experience.

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Construction Management or a related field  

• Experience working in a public agency or municipal government. 

• Knowledge of San Francisco’s Permit Center operations. 

• Familiarity with San Francisco’s public right-of-way regulations and permitting processes. 

• Professional experience developing and implementing process improvements. 

Verification:
Please make sure your application is complete and demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. 

Note: Any misrepresentation or 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.

What else should I know?

SELECTION PROCEDURE/EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Management Test Battery (Weight 100%):
Candidates deemed qualified will be invited to participate in a computer-based examination designed to measure competencies in job-related areas which may include but not be limited to: Problem Solving; Leadership; Decision Making; Interpersonal skill; Human Resources Management; Team Building; Communication; Conflict Management and Process Improvement. For more information about this Management Test (and a suggested reading list), please click here. A passing score must be achieved on the Management Test Battery to continue in the selection process.

This is a standardized examination and, therefore, test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.

Scores attained on the Management Test Battery will be valid and 'banked' for three years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year time period, you will not be required to take the Management Test Battery. The Management Test Battery may be used for many other classes; therefore, your test score may be applied to one or more of these classes if you choose to apply to future recruitments. If the selection process for the future announcement is held within one year of the date of this examination and it includes the Management Test Battery, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the Management Test Battery. Re-testing is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which the Management Test Battery is used. Please note that, should you re-test, your re-test score would become your official score since it is the most recent.

Note: Candidates must achieve a passing score on the Management Test Battery exam in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

Eligible List/Score Report:
Once you pass the exam, you will be placed on an eligible list and given a score and a rank. The duration of the eligible list will be six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification:
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this exam will be the “Rule of the List”.

Post-Eligible List:
Candidates will be invited to interview based on test scores and experience that most closely matches the responsibilities of the position determined from a review of the application materials.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional information

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or the application process, please contact Raquel Knighten at raquel.knighten@sfdpw.org

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.