HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment Services AssistantUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Development Services Assistant
Department: Neighborhood & Development Services
Division: Development Services
Supervisor: Senior Building Inspector
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 4
Job Number: 0419
Job Summary
Performs general and specialized clerical, permitting, and office management duties in support
of functions and programs of the Development Services Division. Understands basic
construction components and practices associated with building construction and the land
development process. Assists other divisions as needed.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Assists the general public in answering inquiries, listening to complaints or referring to
appropriate personnel.
• Provides information and assistance to other staff, contractors, developers and the
general public.
• Maintains records and inventories; monitors use of supplies and equipment and orders
supplies and materials as necessary for the department.
• Assists with managing procurement card for certain department purchases.
• Processes accounts payable and accounts receivable; creates daily revenue summary
report and makes daily deposits.
• Operates and provides maintenance for a variety of office equipment.
• Compiles and distributes packets for NDS boards and commissions when needed;
distributes public meeting notices to press and individuals as requested; posts packet
information to website.
• Reviews and applies applicable construction and zoning codes for the issuance of
permits.
• Collects fees for licenses, applications, permits and other departmental activities.
• Monitors and creates department website content and completes periodic updates.
• Maintains general policies and procedures, rules, regulations, handbooks and planning
documents for departmental access.
• Assists in scheduling inspections for multiple Development Services staff using software
system.
• Reviews case files for final completion and issues Certificates of Occupancy.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Monitors expiring permits and applications and corresponds with applicant to meet
deadlines.
• Produces monthly and yearly building permit statistics and reports.
• Establishes and maintains computerized records; ensures files are maintained in good
working order and easily retrievable.
• Troubleshoots issues with permit software and assists applicants in navigating the online
permit process.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school education or G.E.D. and seven to twelve months of related experience or
training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in areas of
office management, writing, legal issues and/or public relations.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school diploma or G.E.D. and one year of related experience or training; or
equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in specialized area of
building, zoning, or community development.
• Certification by the International Code Council (ICC) as Permit Technician (T6).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole
numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to be detail oriented, able to effectively manage one’s time, solve problems and
exercise sound judgement in a multi-tasking environment.
• Ability to complete a variety of written reports.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to
customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment.
• Ability to read, understand, apply and enforce applicable codes and policies in the
issuance of permits.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Knowledge of general office policies and procedures.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director (4/2024)
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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