Building Plans Examiner I​/II

Come Join Our Team! THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING FOR BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER I/II

Position offered will be based on experience and training

This recruitment remains open and ongoing until filled

First Review Final date to receive applications: 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025

Under direction, reviews plans and specifications for proposed construction or alteration of buildings and structures to ensure compliance with California building codes, statutes and local codes and ordinances, including conventional construction fire and life safety, and accessibility compliance; inspects buildings being constructed, altered, or repaired to determine conformance with codes and approved plans and specifications as required; and performs related work as assigned.

The City of Novato is looking for a self-motivated individual that thrives in problem solving. Candidates must be proficient in written and verbal communication. The ideal candidate for this position will possess working knowledge and experience with the California Building Code Standards and working with the public.

One of the Bay Area's premier communities, Novato is located in Marin County 29 miles north of San Francisco. The second largest city in the County, Novato has a current population of about 56,000 and covers 28 square miles. Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational, recreational, retail, and business opportunities. The residents are actively involved in important local decisions about quality of life issues and the future direction of their city as the City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are vigorously debated and discussed.

The community fosters a small town atmosphere due to its low population density, high amount of open space and parks, vibrant downtown, and engaged community members.

Building Plans Examiner I – This is the entry-level in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks. The class of Building Plans Examiner I is considered to be in a training status, and assignments are performed within the procedural framework established by higher-level employees. However, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing responsibility and is expected to be performing at the II or journey level within the prescribed time frame.

Building Plans Examiner II – This is the journey-level class in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Plans Examiner I, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience performing all aspects of building plans examiner responsibilities. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee consistently performs the full range of duties assigned for the class and meet the class's qualification standards.

Work in this class is distinguished from the Building Plans Examiner I by the higher level of discretion and independent judgment required in performing the full range of routine to complex plans examining duties.

Building Plans Examiner I – Receives immediate supervision from the Chief Building Official.

Building Plans Examiner II – Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official. May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.

• Reviews and evaluates plans, structural engineering calculations, soil analysis reports, and other reports for residential and commercial, industrial projects to ascertain conformance to Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes, and pertinent provisions of City, State, and County health and environmental codes, laws and regulations.
• Prepares plan check reports indicating deficiencies in plans, structural engineering calculations, soil analysis reports, and other reports, and ensures that requisite corrections are met.
• Approves plans that comply; issues permits for…