PLANS EXAMINER

About the role

Join our dynamic team as a Plans Examiner where you'll play a vital role in ensuring the safety, compliance, and quality of construction projects within our communities. As a meticulous and detail-oriented professional, you will conduct thorough reviews of building and construction plans ensuring compliance with relevant building codes, ordinances, and regulations. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of construction methods, materials, and structural design principles. The Plans Examiner will play a crucial role in maintaining safety standards and ensuring that all construction projects meet established codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Review building plans, specifications, and permit applications for compliance with applicable building codes, zoning regulations, and other ordinances.
• Conduct thorough examinations of construction plans to verify structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to address code deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Provide technical guidance and assistance to staff, contractors, and the public regarding code requirements and construction practices.
• Assist in the training of new plans examiners as needed.
• Represent the department and interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders, fostering positive and cooperative working relationships and promoting a culture of compliance and safety.
• Perform field inspections as needed to verify compliance during various stages of construction.
• Document findings and prepare detailed reports of plan reviews and inspections.
• Stay current with developments in building codes, regulations, and industry standards.
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and workshops related to building codes and plan review processes.
• Issue permits for work to be performed.
• Perform assigned duties within the supported agency’s guidance, culture, and approach.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.
• A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be equivalent to graduation from high school and previous experience in plan reading, plan development, building inspection, construction trades, construction management, or related field preferred.
• ICC Certification as a Plans Examiner (or ability to obtain certification within a specified period).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience in building plan review and code compliance, preferably in a municipal or county government setting.
• Strong knowledge of building codes such as International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and other local, state, and national building codes, regulations, and standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills to interact professionally with stakeholders and convey technical information clearly.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in using computer software for drafting, modeling, and plan review (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to inspection sites as required.

Physical demands and working environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Must have the ability to walk short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials.
• Sedentary work.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Repetitive motion.
• Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; visually inspect work in progress.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.