Should I Become a Permit Expeditor?
Permit expeditors secure building permits for construction companies or architectural firms. They coordinate the approval process by reviewing blueprints and documents, ensuring zoning and building code compliance, filing for approvals, and performing other essential functions of the job. Many work hours might be spent sitting at a desk.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Associate's degree, certificate, or bachelor's degree |
| Degree Field | Construction management, urban planning, or related field |
| Experience | 1 to 3 years |
| Key Skills | Strong communication and leadership skills; abilities to multitask, solve problems, meet deadlines, and make presentations; knowledge of base architectural systems and schedules, structural systems, electrical systems, local building codes, and construction laws and regulations; ability to read blueprints; comfortable using database, spreadsheet, word processing, and industry-related software, such as Oracle Primavera, Contract Manager 13, and AutoCAD |
| Salary (2020)* | $49,640 (Median annual salary of production, planning, and expediting clerks, which include permit expeditors) |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Online job postings (January 2013)
What steps do I need to take to become a permit expeditor?
Step 1: Earn a Degree or Certificate
Although some employers accept candidates with a high school diplomas or GEDs, many prefer those with associate's degrees or technical school certificates in construction management, urban planning, or a similar field. An associate's degree program in construction management may include coursework in safety, building construction practices, residential code review, financial accounting, and other construction supervision topics. An urban or regional planning certificate program may include coursework in land use planning and law, computers in urban design, and urban community development, depending on the chosen focus.
Some employers may prefer candidates with bachelor's degrees in construction management, urban planning, or a similar field of study. A bachelor's degree program in construction management may provide students with knowledge in a variety of topics, such as design, construction technologies, estimating, contracts and specifications, project management, and quality assurance. Depending on the chosen degree, specialization coursework might include surveying and mapping, transportation engineering, highway design, building energy systems, and other topics.
Step 2: Gain Work Experience
Most employers require one to three years of experience performing construction document reviews, filing for permit approvals, and researching property status. An entry-level position in a construction or building department environment can provide the skills needed for a permit expeditor position.
Step 3: Seek Career Advancement
Once candidates gain the required experience, they can seek higher level positions as permit expeditors. Such jobs might include clerical positions in planning or zoning offices.
Permit expeditors secure building permits for construction companies or architectural firms. They have postsecondary training or education, knowledge of local laws and building codes, and expertise with general office and industry-related software. And, they earn a median annual salary of $49,640.
