Plans Examiner Supervisor

City of Austin

2d•$75,930 - $96,430•Onsite

About The Position

The Plans Examiner Supervisor, under managerial supervision, supervises subordinate staff engaged in the review, examination and interpretation of building plans to ensure compliance with applicable building codes, policies and precedents. Austin Development Services, Commercial Plan Review is seeking a Plans Examiner Supervisor that provides leadership, technical oversight, and administrative direction for the City’s plans examination and development review functions. This position supervises plans examiners and related staff responsible for reviewing building plans, site plans, construction documents, and permit applications for compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, adopted standards, and City policies.

Requirements

Knowledge in the use of building codes and related state and local regulations with regard to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes.
Knowledge expertise in the terminology and techniques for one or more of the following professional disciplines: Architecture; Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Plumbing, Mechanical and/or Electrical Services or Engineering; Zoning aspects of land planning.
Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles and practices.
Knowledge of construction practices.
Knowledge of architectural drawing practices, symbols and abbreviations.
Knowledge of leadership and management principles.
Knowledge of various phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
Skill in reading and interpreting complex architectural and engineering plans and specifications, including shop drawings.
Skill in the use of common computer software programs, including productivity software, computer aided design software, and data entry for databases.
Skill in performing complex analyses including skill in interpreting code provisions in order to determine compliance with or deviation from applicable codes, including the analysis of alternate methods of compliance or performance-based designs.
Skill in communicating code requirements orally and in writing to city plan review and inspections staff, architects, contractors, developers and the general public.
Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other employees, customers and the general public.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
Ability to communicate with and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
Ability to maintain records.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture or other field related to design or construction and four (4) years of related technical or professional experience.
The Plans Examiner Supervisor position requires a minimum of one (1) year of the related experience involved supervisory or lead experience, or completion of formal training in basic supervisory skills.
Plans Examiner Supervisor shall meet the requirements of a Plans Examiner C plus an additional certification in a related field by ICC, IAPMO, AICP, NFPA or other recognized authority; or a Master State issued license with one (1) State issued license endorsement.

Nice To Haves

Certain positions require recognized expertise in zoning regulations and the ability to research the City of Austin’s zoning regulations.
Experience successfully training staff, coordinating a fast paced and complicated work process, and communicating complex technical construction or code issues to a wide variety of staff and members of the public in a manner that all will understand the issues when needed.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills with the ability to communicate effectively across departments and/or various technical disciplines.
Experience providing excellent customer service, equitable solutions, and conflict resolution.
Experience motivating team members and creating strategies to boost productivity.
Relevant work experience with technical codes including building design, reviewing plans for compliance with building codes, building inspections, building construction, or construction administration.
Experience working in a complex governmental or regulatory environment with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.
ICC B3 Building Plans Examiner certification

Responsibilities

Manage the review of complex technical code issues relating to building, zoning (residential), mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and energy codes, update and maintain program records and generate monthly performance data for programs.
Organize, call and chair meetings dealing with issues affecting special projects and develop and administer new programs such as Registered Industrial Plant and Special Inspections.
Consult with contractors, engineers, architects and other City staff to identify and resolve issues and problems, and designate projects for Special Inspections program.
Develop and implement specific strategies for achieving department’s goals and objectives as they affect special projects, and communicate with engineer, owner, general contractor, and testing lab to resolve Special Inspections problems.
Interact with and advise inspectors concerning unusual projects and alternative methods and approve alternate methods of code compliance and mediate code related problems with customers and Plans Examiners.
Track plans and review history of buildings.
Prepare rejection comment lists.
Develops code amendment language for ordinances adopting related codes, and coordinate work of Plans Examiners on overlapping code issues and coordinate with other programs or divisions for problem resolution.
Answer code related questions from customers, City management and other divisions, and speak to public groups on code issues.
Coordinate with other divisions for planning, zoning, environmental protection and inspections.
Provide field inspection assistance for Special Inspections problem resolution.
Leads and trains plans examiner staff. The Plans Examiner Supervisor has supervisory responsibility including employee development and evaluation of employee performance using the City of Austin SSPR process.