Supervising Plans Examiner

Supervising Plans Examiner

City of Santa Cruz – Planning Department. The current vacancy is for Supervising Plans Examiner. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Supervising Plans Examiner vacancies during the life of the list. The list is valid up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

The mission of the Planning and Community Development Department is to enhance quality of life, safety, and civic pride for our community by providing land use and development guidance through responsive, respectful, and efficient public service. Learn more at Planning and Community Development Department.

Possibility of incentive pay of up to 8% for additional approved professional certifications over required base certifications.

• Applications close Thursday, 01/29/26. All materials must reach Human Resources by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. Submit: online application only; RESUMES are not acceptable substitutes.
• Response to supplemental questions is a primary tool in evaluating qualifications. Include all work experience both in the application and supplemental questions.
• Week of 02/02/26:
  Competitive screening based on minimum qualifications. Notification of status by 02/13/26.
• Week of 02/16 and/or 02/23/26:
  Interviews tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The process may include an interview and a written and/or performance exercise.

Under general direction, the officer is responsible for supervising plan review and public counter functions in the inspection services division. Duties include complex plan review services, assisting the building official, conducting field inspections for compliance with codes, and performing related functions.

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Plans Examiner by increased and broadened skills and duties: greater complexity and scope, supervising staff, and providing training. It is also distinguished from the Deputy Building Official, which manages daily operations and provides administrative support to the Chief Building Official.

• Supervise plan review/public counter function, organize staffing, coordinate with consultants, maintain timely service delivery.
• Check plans of all types, including complex construction and development projects, using current building standards and other codes.
• Coordinate with applicants and check plans for compliance with the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Program; train, public outreach, and develop the program.
• Assist applicants with non-conforming plans to achieve code compliance.
• Resolve project challenges and customer concerns.
• Review plan review policies and SOPs; recommend improvements.
• Assist inspectors, maintain consistent application of code provisions, advise on work assignments.
• Maintain technical manuals, records, and forms.
• Provide administrative support to other city departments for building and energy projects.
• Provide technical information to the public on code and design requirements.
• Review initial plan compliance, prepare reports, coordinate with departments, designers, and applicants.
• Monitor and coordinate plan review services from application to issuance.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, estimate specialized costs.
• Provide public counter support for permit applications, reviews, and issuance.
• Perform field inspections for all construction types, including complex commercial, industrial, and essential facilities.
• Assist in court actions involving building and related violations.
• Input, access, and analyze data in the computer; use the city permit tracking system.
• Assist Building Official in division operations as assigned.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Perform other related duties as reasonably expected.

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and stooping. Work may occur on uneven surfaces and in all weather. Requires repetitive hand movements, fine coordination, near and far vision, and acute hearing. May perform work outdoors.…