What does a permit specialist do?
A permit specialist's job is to process applications for building permits or construction projects. The specialist's task is to make sure that the plans follow all of the code regulations before approving the permit. They need to have a considerable understanding of building codes, be it local or state, to be able to identify if there are any issues in the blueprints and also to be able to give applicants the correct information in case they have questions.
Permit specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real permit specialist resumes:
- Manage coordination, implementation and installation of next generation telemarketing system, an nt-base, client server environment.
- Compile folders, documents, drawings, structural calculations, RF reports and applications for zoning and building submittals.
- Work closely with FINRA and NFA to ensure proper licensing and registration requirements are meet at a firm level.
- Inspect certifications for authenticity and adherence to FAA regulations.
- Request documentation from agents to satisfy FINRA and compliance requirements.
- Fulfill with all company policies/procedures, safety requirements, GMP regulations and customer requirements.
- Monitor manufacturing processes for compliance with quality and current GMP requirements for product integrity.
- Support compliance initiatives including audit readiness program, execution of CAPA investigation process, and quality improvement plans.
- Investigate audit findings with regulatory implications, prepare comprehensive report for senior leadership, and develop targeted CAPA.
- Participate in audits of departments to evaluate ISO compliance, accuracy and reliability of documents, and identify areas of improvement.
- Assist project manager in obtaining necessary project deliverable approvals as per PMO guidelines.
Permit specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Permit Specialists are proficient in GIS, Construction Drawings, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Permit Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GIS, 11%
Mentored and managed the MSW Section GIS intern.
- Construction Drawings, 8%
Review construction drawings for compliance with jurisdictional requirements for construction and completion of site modifications.
- Data Entry, 8%
Entered registrant's information by data entry, and by phone.
- PowerPoint, 8%
Analyzed business results data and communicated the results using Word documents and PowerPoint presentations for many programs within the organization.
- CAD, 6%
Draw deck templates and CAD drawings for final drawings to be submitted for permit approval.
- Phone Calls, 5%
Answer incoming telephone calls, respond to inquirers, and or routes caller to appropriate person or department.
"gis," "construction drawings," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that permit specialists use at work. You can find even more permit specialist responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a permit specialist to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a permit specialist resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "perform tceq customer services such as answering information inquiries by phone calls or e-mails. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform permit specialist duties is listening skills. Permit specialists responsibilities require that "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Permit specialists also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with city officials to obtain permit approvals. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for permit specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how permit specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a permit specialist: "researched and resolved customer complaints and ensured accurate communication between all parties. ".
Speaking skills. For certain permit specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a permit specialist rely on this skill, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what permit specialists do: "triaged incoming phone calls accordingly in a call center and addressed patients concerns, requests, and questions. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a permit specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what permit specialists relies on this skill, since "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." How this skill relates to permit specialist duties can be seen in an example from a permit specialist resume snippet: "provided accurate data reporting for quality assurance/treatment and monitoring needs to include report writing and other administrative tasks. "
The three companies that hire the most permit specialists are:
- Kinder Morgan6 permit specialists jobs
- Wsp USA Buildings Inc.6 permit specialists jobs
- Jacobs Engineering Group
5 permit specialists jobs
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Compare different permit specialists
Permit specialist vs. Business developer
A business developer specializes in conducting in-depth business analysis and crafting various strategies that would not just help a business grow, but also strengthen client base and brand awareness. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around identifying areas in need of improvement. They come up with new services that will boost customer satisfaction, examining the potential for revenue and figuring out new opportunities from trends or other pre-existing programs within the company. All of this is conducted according to the vision, mission, and policies of the organization.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, permit specialist responsibilities require skills like "gis," "construction drawings," "data entry," and "powerpoint." Meanwhile a typical business developer has skills in areas such as "healthcare," "crm," "work ethic," and "excellent presentation." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Business developers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $118,082. Comparatively, permit specialists tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $64,332.business developers tend to reach similar levels of education than permit specialists. In fact, business developers are 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Permit specialist vs. Operations coordinator
An operations coordinator's role is to oversee the progress of various departments in a company or organization, ensuring that all operations meet the set goals and adhere to the company's policies and regulations. An operations coordinator may also be responsible for supervising the procurement of supplies, contract negotiations, sales monitoring, and even maintenance operations within the company. Furthermore, they can also perform administrative duties such as communicating with clients through telephone and email, arranging schedules and appointments, producing reports and evaluations, training new employees, and serving as the bridge of information between different departments.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that permit specialist responsibilities requires skills like "gis," "construction drawings," "cad," and "phone calls." But an operations coordinator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "logistics," "excellent organizational," "patients," and "payroll."
On average, operations coordinators earn a lower salary than permit specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, operations coordinators earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $43,723. Whereas permit specialists have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $64,332.operations coordinators earn similar levels of education than permit specialists in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Permit specialist vs. Operations internship
Operations interns learn the management techniques on how to lead and supervise others. Interns usually gain experience by being an unpaid employee in the operational department. They should possess skills like attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong phone presence. The operations internship objectives include career path exploration, work experience, skills development and refinement, and confidence buildup. The majority of the activities interns are absorbed by the company where they serve an internship.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from permit specialist resumes include skills like "gis," "construction drawings," "powerpoint," and "phone calls," whereas an operations internship is more likely to list skills in "operations intern," "work ethic," "patients," and "project management. "
Operations interns earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $40,232. Permit specialists earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $64,332.operations interns typically earn similar educational levels compared to permit specialists. Specifically, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Permit specialist vs. Operations associate
An operations associate is responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks to support the organization's daily operations. An operations associate must have excellent organizational skills to perform various duties for different business functions under the supervision of an operations manager. Operations associates respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, prepare meeting reports, schedule appointments, assisting on payroll release, update employees' information on the database, process contract agreements, and help the senior management to identify business opportunities that would generate revenues.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between permit specialists and operations associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a permit specialist might have more use for skills like "gis," "construction drawings," "cad," and "phone calls." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of operations associates require skills like "sales floor," "basic math," "portfolio," and "work ethic. "
Operations associates reach similar levels of education compared to permit specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of permit specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
