Senior Plans Examiner

About the role

The City of Bellevue is seeking a Senior Building Plans Examiner with experience reviewing complex commercial and residential plans. Development Services provides a one‑stop shop for general information and permits needed for development activity in Bellevue. The team includes code compliance officers, engineers, finance analysts, inspectors, planners, plans examiners, permit technicians, and support staff from Development Services, Fire, Transportation, and Utilities departments. The Senior Building Plans Examiner reviews and evaluates building plans and specifications to ensure compliance with local, state, and national building, accessibility, energy, and related codes.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate a full range of construction plans—from routine to complex—ensuring compliance with building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, environmental, flood hazard, design, energy, landscape, clearing, grading, filling, and related codes.
• Assist and support the training and mentoring of other review staff to improve consistency in code interpretation, ordinance application, policies, procedures, and customer service expectations.
• Apply valuations and permit costs to new projects based on codes, regulations, and policies.
• Coordinate activities with building officials, inspectors, planners, engineers, fire inspectors, and other agency staff.
• Provide project management for larger projects that include multiple permits across Development Services divisions, and may manage projects where they are not the primary reviewer.
• Deliver customer service to the public regarding general code and permitting requirements.
• Research codes and ordinances as assigned, evaluate and recommend improvements.
• Investigate problems and complaints concerning commercial and residential buildings, construction, and code compliance.
• Respond to complex and sensitive building and customer service issues.
• Maintain records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions.
• Coordinate plan reviews, inspections, and enforcement actions.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of approved plans.

Supervision

Works under the general supervision of the Review & Inspection Supervisor. May supervise staff as assigned.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of building, accessibility, energy, and other construction codes adopted by the City of Bellevue and Washington State.
• Skill in applying national, state, and local construction codes.
• Understanding of other City divisions and how their processes relate to construction permits and project design.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public.
• Ability to read and understand complicated construction plans.
• Excellent customer service skills focused on expedited, simplified solutions while adhering to city code requirements and discretionary authority.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two‑year college or university.
• Minimum of three years of experience performing plan review for a jurisdiction, enforcement agency, or similar entity.
• Three or more years of professional related experience in the construction industry or related areas.
• ICC Plans Examiner certification required (or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities).
• Valid Washington State driver’s license may be required.

Physical Demands

The position requires walking, talking, hearing, and using hands to handle objects, tools, or controls, as well as reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities needed include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment. The employee may need to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 20 pounds. The office environment is moderately quiet; field work may be moderately loud. Periodic climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling may be required. Work may occur in outside weather conditions, wet or humid environments, at heights, near moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, or where there is risk of electrical shock or vibration.

Flexible/Hybrid Working

A hybrid work schedule is available after an orientation period. Remote work is subject to departmental operational needs and will be discussed with candidates; full‑time remote work is not available. Employees must reside in Washington State and be within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall. This is a full‑time, union position represented by Teamsters Local 763.

Hiring Process

The City evaluates candidates based solely on the online application; resumes and cover letters are not accepted during the initial anonymous screening. Applicants should complete the online form fully and answer any supplemental questions. Candidates advancing to later stages may be asked to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

Conditions of Employment

All candidates must establish employment authorization and identity at hire; the City does not sponsor work visas. Positions require reference checks (including at least one prior supervisor) and may require a criminal background check, a commercial driver’s license, other licensures, or additional certifications. The City of Bellevue is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.