Permit Services Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

PERMIT SERVICES SUPERVISOR

Why This Role Matters:

The Permit Services Supervisor provides day‑to‑day oversight, and operational direction for CPL’s city/client permitting functions. This role supervises Permit Technicians, ensuring consistent, high‑quality service delivery to applicants, contractors, developers, and members of the public. The Supervisor is responsible for making intermediate‑ to advanced‑level decisions related to permit administration, process workflow, staff workload distribution, and the resolution of complex permitting issues. The Permit Services Supervisor coordinates permitting activities with planning, engineering, building, and code enforcement teams. The role evaluates processes, implements improvements, and ensures compliance with municipal ordinances, state regulations, and internal policies. This position requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to mentor and guide permitting staff in a fast‑paced environment. This position is based in CPL’s Client (City) location.

What You'll Do:

Supervision

• Provide direct supervision to Permit Technicians, including daily work direction, mentoring, performance management, and training.
• Assign and monitor workload to ensure timely and accurate processing of permit applications, inquiries, and public service requests.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate updates, resolve workflow challenges, and reinforce consistent standards and procedures.
• Support staff with complex permitting cases, offering guidance and authoritative decisions as the escalation point for difficult or unusual applications.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, evaluations, disciplinary actions, and professional development planning.

Operational Oversight & Decision‑Making

• Oversee the intake, review, routing, and issuance of permit applications, ensuring compliance with zoning, building codes, and city processes.
• Interpret and apply municipal codes, ordinances, policies, and state requirements to permitting decisions.
• Approve or deny routine and semi‑complex permits within delegated authority; recommend approval for complex permits requiring higher‑level review.
• Analyze workflow efficiency and recommend operational improvements, technology enhancements, staffing strategies, and updated procedures.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of electronic permitting records, project tracking, and data reporting systems.
• Resolve customer service issues, applicant disputes, or discrepancies in submitted documentation.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a higher‑level liaison between applicants, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, code professionals, and internal departments.
• Provide expert guidance on application requirements, submittal standards, development processes, fees, timelines, and regulatory expectations.
• Represent the permitting department in interdepartmental meetings, pre‑application conferences, and process improvement initiatives.
• Deliver clear, consistent information to the public through written communication, phone consultation, and in‑person interaction.

Program Administration

• Maintain and improve permitting forms, checklists, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
• Ensure proper archiving, scanning, digital conversion, and retention of records in accordance with records management policies.
• Support implementation and optimization of permitting software systems; assist with user support and training.

What You Bring:

• High School diploma, 2 or 4 year degree preferred
• Minimum of Seven (7) years of permitting or municipal experience, including two (2) or more years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Permit Technician (ICC) certification preferred, additional ICC certifications a plus.
• Experience working with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and municipal review staff strongly desired.
• Advanced knowledge of permitting processes, zoning regulations, building codes, and municipal development procedures.
• Strong decision‑making skills with the ability to interpret technical documents and apply regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including supervising, training, or mentoring staff.
• Excellent customer service and conflict‑resolution skills, particularly in handling complex or sensitive issues.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally through written and verbal channels.
• High attention to detail, organization, and workflow management in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and permitting or enterprise record‑keeping software systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to implement practical improvements.

What We Offer: CPL cares about your future with us! That’s why we offer the following benefits to you and your family:

• Internal Mobility & Career Advancement
• Healthcare for you and your family including spouse coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision & Prescription insurances. Single Plans with 100% paid premium
• Flexible Time Off + 8 Holidays a year
• Retirement Savings Plan - Contribution from CPL to grow your retirement funds.
• Tuition Assistance: You may be eligible for continuing education assistance.
• Student Loan Assistance Program: CPL will contribute up to a maximum of $100 a month for 5 years ($6,000 total) towards student loan debt. 
• Licensure Assistance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance Company/team member premium sharing
• Flexible Spending Account $5,000 dependent childcare annually paid 100% by team member pre-taxes. 
• FREE Life Insurance and AD+D Insurance 
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WORKING HERE? We believe that building a strong community is about establishing a prevailing sense of fellowship among our team members, friends, and neighbors.

• Collaboration – working with others towards the best solution, placing great emphasis on the collective wisdom of our internal teams.
• Family – celebrating others’ successes, genuinely caring about the happiness and well-being of our team members and recognizing their own families as extensions of the CPL family.
• Fun – not taking oneself too seriously, fully understanding that fun at work is conducive to productivity.
• Inspiration – contributing to an uplifting workplace that facilitates growth and success by maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude.
• Integrity – doing what is ethically right and providing reliable follow-through on commitments.
• Ingenuity – seeking new opportunities and consistently identifying unexpected and practical ways to solve problems.

The rate for this position generally ranges between $60-76k annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the New York Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful New York applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in New York or perform the position from New York. Similar positions located outside of New York will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by New York Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employees already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee's pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

CPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, citizenship, military or veteran status, gender expression and/or identity, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CPL does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting professionals or agencies, nor do we accept resumes from any source that does not reference a specific, open position. CPL will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resumes submitted by recruiting professionals or agencies that do not have a current placement fee agreement with CPL. All initial communication with recruiting professionals or agencies must go through our Talent Acquisition Team.