POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Position: Permit & License Specialist
Department: Planning & Development
Starting Salary: $16.38-$17.00/hour
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Posting Date: Oct. 9, 2025
Closing Date: Oct. 23, 2025
Job Summary:
This position assists the Department Director in enforcing provisions of Business License Code, to include- Business Occupation Tax and Regulations, Adult Entertainment Establishments, Malt Beverages and Wine, Distilled Spirits, Door to Door Solicitation, Hotel/Motel Regulations, Fortune Telling, and Depository Financial Institutions. Assists computing and collecting taxes on where applicable and certifies that all county businesses are in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and ordinances. Ensures proper assessment and collection of appropriate fees and taxes.
Major Duties:
· Works closely with the Director to determine compliance with business and alcohol license requirements.
· Reviews occupancy permits, zoning requirements, rules, regulations, and ordinances as they may relate to business or alcohol licenses.
· Processes business and alcoholic beverage license applications, assists the public with general information regarding licensing and applications, and issues business and alcohol licenses.
· Inputs application information, and maintains records of application requests.
· Issues building, electrical, heating and air, gas, plumbing, mobile home, building relocation, fireplace/stove, demolition.
· Calculates, collects, and deposits business and alcohol license fees, permits fees, and all other fees collected by the department.
· Assists in scheduling appointments and inspections with contractors and/or homeowners.
· Provides information to contractors and/or homeowners concerning permit and inspection requirements; explains and interprets building regulations.
· Verifies that each applicant has received a 911 number for mapping purposes.
· Verifies that all state licensed contractors are current and up-to-date.
· Verifies that mobile home installers have current licenses.
· Copies and forwards all permits issued to Tax Assessor on a monthly basis.
· Oversees the issuance of plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and gas permits; collects appropriate fees.
· Issues Certificate of Occupancy for Residential Building Permits, Mobile Home Permits, and Commercial Permits.
· Answers general questions about the inspection process and schedules daily inspections.
· Greets walk-in customers, answers phone calls, and relays messages; screens calls; directs customers to appropriate staff.
· Provides licensing information to assist individuals or groups interested in starting new businesses or renewing current licenses. Refers licensing applicants to proper state or Federal agencies if additional regulatory licensing or other information is required.
· Works closely with other departments to ensure necessary permits are obtained prior to licenses being issued.
· Researches records in Clerks Office, Tax Commissioner, Secretary of State Regulatory Licensing, corporation registrations, and criminal cases. Ascertains charges and disposition of cases.
· Contacts unlicensed businesses and businesses with expired licenses for proper compliance with licensing ordinance by phone or mail; prepares and issues notices for delinquent, unlicensed businesses and renewal licenses for businesses; follows through with necessary collection procedures, including coordination with Code Enforcement office for citations for violations.
· Discusses problem areas and customer complaints with appropriate individuals, to assist in the resolution of problems; assists in determining when to request legal advice, refers problems to the Code Enforcement office, and follows up for resolutions.
· May be required to appear as a witness in court; may represent Habersham County at various meetings, hearings, court appearances, etc., regarding business licensing processes.
· Establishes and maintains all files and plans for each structure through all phases of construction; maintains all files pertaining to master building permits.
· Maintains permit and inspection checklist files for all building permits issued.
· Properly identifies, classifies, indexes, and labels documents and records for physical storage; prepares indices to expedite the retrieval of documents or records.
· Stays informed of current local, state, and federal licensing regulations to provide recommendations for needed changes to ordinances, policies, and procedures.
· Maintains adequate stock of office supplies; keeps updated copies of all forms, customer brochures, and handouts adequately stocked for public access.
· May serve as lead worker to subordinate staff performing routine clerical functions to include assigning, reviewing and assisting with work.
· Performs other related duties as required for the efficient operations of the department.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
· One year of complex office experience.
· Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the minimum level of qualifications stated above.
· Ability to become a Notary Public within six (6) months of hire date.
The successful candidate must complete a Background/Reference Check and Pre-Employment Drug Screening prior to the start of employment.
To Apply: All applicants must complete a Habersham County employment application. Applications can be found online at www.habershamga.com. Applications and a detailed job description can be picked up at the Habersham County Human Resources Department, Administration Building located at 130 Jacob’s Way, Clarkesville, GA 30523 in room 303. For more information please call (706) 839-0214.
Habersham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.
Do you have what it takes?