Permit Technician II

SALARY RANGE: $32.96–$43.40 per hour (2026 wages)

CLOSING DATE: November 18, 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: Interviews are scheduled for November 23, 2026. Only candidates selected to advance in the recruitment process will be invited to participate.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The City is seeking candidates for the Permit Technician II role who can work well on a multidisciplinary team and independently conduct permit processing functions for the City of Ridgefield’s Community Development Department. The general responsibilities include:

1. Receive, log, and distribute land use, engineering, and building development plans and payments; check permit applications and supporting documents for proper form, sufficiency of information, and conformance with legal standards; and issue permits as authorized;
2. Review plot plans and architectural elevations for residential construction to verify codified requirements are met;
3. Assist the public seeking general information relating to zoning, development review, and building codes;
4. Serve as the clerk to the Planning Commission and at land use hearings;
5. Serve as the system administrator for the department’s permitting software;
6. Maintain records and timelines relating to permits in accordance with City policy;
7. Assign addresses to new developments and buildings, coordinate the transfer of addressing data, and update Clark County GIS situs address records;
8. Oversee the completeness and accuracy of the department’s Development Activity Map, application forms, and pages on the City’s website.

Ridgefield is a fast-growing community with a current population of approximately 17,000 and anticipated growth to more than 27,000 people by 2045. As a result, the work environment is busy, with ongoing submissions of residential and commercial permit applications and the construction of significant development projects. This is an exciting position for someone who enjoys working with a diverse group of people in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, and aspires to bring innovative solutions to process improvement.

The Permit Technician II is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position. The position is covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between Teamsters Local 58 and the City of Ridgefield.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the level of required knowledge and abilities may be considered.

The City is seeking an experienced and professional Permit Technician II with:

1. An associate’s degree or equivalent from a technical school, preferably with coursework in building, urban planning, public administration, or a related field;
2. Four years of related experience involving significant interaction with the general public, including experience as a permit technician or in a similar role and experience with SmartGov or other permitting software; and
3. ICC Permit Technician Certification is strongly preferred or encouraged to obtain within one year of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Office procedures and protocols.
• Basic municipal government knowledge, including codes, regulations, permitting process, and acronyms.
• Land use, engineering, and building review processes.
• Online permitting systems.

Skill in:

• Providing high-level customer service.
• Solving problems and communicating outcomes.
• Reviewing plot plans for adherence to applicable regulations.
• Using computer software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint) and web-based applications.
• Organization, attention to detail, and time management.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, employing discretion, tact, and professionalism with customers and coworkers.
• Work independently on multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and cope with interruptions effectively.
• Research issues and analyze data.

All employees are expected to work in a manner consistent with the City of Ridgefield’s Team Philosophy: work diligently to provide quality service and make a better community with accountability, reliability, and integrity; be innovative, efficient, proactive, and adaptive; work as a cohesive team with compassion, leadership, and professionalism; and know how to have fun.

The final candidate will be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The City of Ridgefield currently provides medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents. Employees contribute 10% of the medical premium which is now $179.48 per month (2026). The City also provides life insurance at two times your annual salary, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account options and an Employee Assistance Program.

Other benefits include an Employee Wellness program, voluntary life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave. Leave benefits currently include vacation accrual up to 80 hours during your first year of employment, 11 paid holidays per year, 3 additional paid floating holidays, and 8 hours accrued sick leave each month.

The City encourages and supports continued professional development for all employees. Such as career-based tuition reimbursement, degree and certification incentives, and membership fees for professional organizations. Enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund is automatic.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates must submit the following materials:

1. A completed Application for Employment.
2. A resume
3. A cover letter explaining why the candidate is interested in the job position, strengths and weaknesses in the job, and a short summary of why the candidate is qualified for the position.

More information about the Community Development Department is available on the City’s website at www.ridgefieldwa.us or by calling Human Resources at .

The City of Ridgefield is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining a diverse mix of talented people who want to come, grow, and do their best work here. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming and that provides the best possible services for our community.

This announcement is intended only as a general descriptive recruitment guide. It does not constitute an express or implied contract and is not a complete description of the job.