Plans Examiner III

Position Title:

Plans Examiner III (May be under filled)

Job Description:

As a Plans Examiner you will perform technical review of residential or other construction plans to ensure compliance with municipal building or zoning codes, and review complex plans of new construction and alterations/repairs of existing structures within City limits.

About the Position:

This role will review building or zoning plans for completeness, accuracy and conformance to applicable building codes, ordinances, zoning regulations and national standards. You will act as a consultant to inspectors in the field on extraordinary problems.

This position requires strategic thinking, clear communication of city construction codes and propriety of building plans beyond the obvious, utilizing data to support alternative approaches.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field plus zero to four years of construction or plan review experience. A combination of education and work experience may be substituted one for the other on a year-for-year basis. Candidates who have certifications from the International Code Council (ICC) as a Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, or other construction area are preferred.

About the Team:

Our team of 8 Plans Examiners reviews and approves about 4,000 building permits per year. We pride ourselves in excellent service to our permit applicants, a collaborative approach to resolving code interpretation issues, and our commitment to training and individual growth.

The Plans Examiner team benefits from our work alongside the Building Inspectors team and the Fire Protection Engineers. Together, these teams include several Master Code Professionals and a dozen Combination Inspectors. Weekly in-house, ICC Preferred Provider trainings are provided by our team members and invited guests.

Work Schedule:

The Plans Examiners are currently working a hybrid schedule, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with 3 days working from home and 2 days in office. Additional office attendance may be required based on operational needs.

Position Salary Range:

This position offers an attractive incentive for those seeking secure and rewarding employment opportunities. This position may be filled at a level I, II, or III based on the selected candidates’ credentials. The rates below will be increased by 4% for fiscal year 2026.

Plans Examiner I

Entry: $31.24/hr.

2 Year: $33.08/hr.

4 Year: $34.91/hr.

6 Year: $38.68/hr.

Plans Examiner II

Entry: $32.79/hr.

2 Year: $34.73/hr.

4 Year: $36.65/hr.

6 Year: $40.61/hr.

Plans Examiner III

Entry: $34.44/hr.

2 Year: $36.44/hr.

4 Year: $38.48/hr.

6 Year: $40.61/hr.

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:

Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)

Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

Paid vacation and personal leave

Six weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment

Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)

A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually

Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will remain open until filled and may close at any time without notice.

Key Responsibilities:

Reviews and examines plans, designs and specifications of complex buildings and other structures, and related mechanical building equipment such as air conditioning systems, boilers, and elevators, as well as plumbing and electrical systems to determine if they comply with city building and construction codes.

Makes necessary field inspections to determine structural soundness and proper installation of the more complex structures. Makes suggestions for correction of defects or inadequacies found. Directs corrections to be made to meet city codes and engineering standards.

Holds pre-plan approval conferences with contractors, architects, and engineers to cover relevant code issues involved in the plan review process.

Devises and supervises tests to determine the suitability of materials and methods of construction or installation. Evaluates and maintains records of laboratory tests of soil bearing values and load tests of buildings and structures.

Uses engineering computations to analyze foundations, beam girders and supports damaged due to fire, earthquake or other potential structural disturbances. Makes a recommendation to mediate dangers.

Answers questions over the phone and at the City Development Review counter regarding city construction codes and propriety of plans. Meets with the general public to settle disputes with inspectors regarding enforcement of building plans.

Performs other duties as assigned.

At the highest level, performs a variety of complex or specialized plan review assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Plans Examiner I

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related field and zero to two (0-2) years of construction or plan review experience. Education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis.

Possession of two certifications from the International Code Council (ICC) as a Plans Examiner, Building Inspector or other construction area or ability to obtain within six months of employment.

Plans Examiner II

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related field and two (2) years of construction or plan review experience. Education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis.

Certification as a Combination (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing for both residential and commercial) Plans Examiner or Inspector or Certified Building Official (CBO) from the International Code Council (ICC).

Plans Examiner III

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related field and four (4) years of construction or plan review experience. Education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis.

Certification as a Combination (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing for both residential and commercial) Plans Examiner or Inspector or Certified Building Official (CBO) from the International Code Council (ICC), plus four additional ICC or LEED certifications associated with the construction field.

Required for all levels:

Possession of a valid driver's license or driving privilege card required to visit various construction sites.

Considerable knowledge of all types of building construction including building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as structural, mechanical and electrical engineering concepts and practices as applied to building construction.

Ability to make accurate engineering and mathematical computations and create well written documents.

Working Conditions:

Frequent movement from office to construction site locations and exposure to various weather conditions. Frequent exposure to vehicular traffic and hazardous construction sites in the performance of field reviews.

Intermittent, intense exposure to stress as a result of human behavior and construction deadlines.

Occasional non-traditional working hours, particularly during peak construction seasons.

Career Ladder:

Movement between levels is contingent on individual time-in-service, training, and successful completion of testing requirements. To be eligible for advancement, incumbents must demonstrate satisfactory job performance in addition to meeting all established minimum job qualifications. Position changes are subject to availability of funds, Department Director approval and concurrence of the Human Resources Department.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law. Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify a candidate from City employment.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

DEPARTMENT

Community and Neighborhoods

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40

---