Plans Examiner

Job Overview

Act as a technical expert and perform and coordinate work involving the review and examination of building construction, improvement and repair plans and specifications for compliance with non-structural and structural requirements and applicable codes and regulations.

• Review and examine construction documents for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Confer with homeowners, business owners, builders, engineers and architects to give information and interpret building codes and regulations.
• Recommend necessary changes to obtain compliance with applicable codes and regulations. Review corrected plans for conformity with requirements.
• Make occasional onsite construction inspections to confirm that construction complies with approved plans and specifications. Initiate appropriate action to enforce code compliance.
• Prepare correspondence to architects, engineers, contractors and others related to the correction of plans and engineering detail.
• Advise building inspectors on structural and other building related problems arising in the field during construction.
• Coordinate construction plans examination processes with other City departments and units.
• Monitor changes and new legislation pertaining to assigned work. Investigate new materials and substitute materials and new methods of structural design. Recommend appropriate changes in the building codes and regulations.
• Perform public counter duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties which may be assigned.

Equivalent to an Associate Degree in engineering, construction technology or a related field and two (2) years of experience equivalent to the City's class of Plans Examiner.

• Current Driver’s License.
• Must possess and maintain ICBO or ICC Plans Examiner Certificate at time of application for the position.
• Must possess and maintain an ICC Combination Plans Examiner Certificate or a Combination Inspector with Plans Examiner Certificate within one (1) year of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain Incident Command System (ICS) 100/200 within six (6) months of hire andICS 300 as soon as available.

• Plans examination techniques and methods.
• Techniques, materials and practices in the structural, plumbing, electrical and related construction fields.
• Residential, commercial and industrial construction materials, methods and equipment.
• Applicable codes, regulations and ordinances governing housing and building construction, rehabilitation and alteration, health, safety and fire prevention.
• Appropriate health and safety and fire prevention construction and building methods.
• Perform detailed analysis and examination of building and construction designs, specifications and plans.
• Apply fundamental engineering and architectural principles and techniques to the solution of residential, commercial and industrial construction problems and objectives.
• Analyze and evaluate building plans, data and reports and reach sound conclusions.
• Organize own work and set priorities.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment with established guidelinesli>
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with the public, City staff, agencies, homeowners, builders, engineering firms, contractors, developers, manufacturers and others.
• Principles and practices of emergency management.
• Assist with post emergency damage assessment.
• Train others in work procedures.
• Computer applications and software related to the work including Microsoft Office.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during work.

Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.