Plans Examiner

City of Airway Heights • Airway Heights, WA

1d • $82,706 - $98,755 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Plans Examiner performs plan review and building inspection for residential and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with municipal and State building codes. Responsibilities include plan review for building code compliance, processing building permit applications, advising the general public on matters relating to construction and other code requirements, providing technical information to architects, engineers, contractors and others, including customer service responsibilities and technical assistance advice, receiving of funds, organizing files, preparing reports, responding to public records requests and other duties as assigned. Performance requires review of submitted documents and plans, proposed material evaluations, research, proper interpretation to ensure compliance with and application of adopted International Codes as well as other applicable city, state, federal codes, and standards. The duties are performed in an office environment and through onsite field visits.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, procedures, materials, and standard practices of building construction.
• Knowledge of City, state, federal codes and development regulations, policies and procedures, protocols, and standards governing plan review.
• Knowledge of principals of structural design, engineering mathematics, and records management.
• Knowledge of plans examination and review procedures for residential and commercial projects.
• Knowledge of inspection of residential and commercial projects.
• Knowledge of permitting systems, processes, plan review and inspection.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electronic media, plan review, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, establish, and maintain working relationships with staff, general public, contractors, applicants, and other interested parties, including during difficult and sometimes adversarial circumstances.
• Ability to understand and review all aspects of construction including engineering, structural reports and design, test data from special inspections, interpreting and applying codes and regulations, providing review and evaluation as well as preparation of applicable documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret complex construction plans, blueprints, designs, maps, diagrams, and related documents, with the ability to identify deficiencies, code violations or deviations during the review process.
• Ability to provide recommendations regarding interpretations of city, state, and federal standards, ordinances, specifications, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and perform tasks, meeting established deadlines.
• Ability to prepare reports and/or correspondence as required.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle to the job site.
• Ability to maintain plan review documents, correspondence, and related files and records.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate with others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with speed and accuracy under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Specialized training or experience in the building construction trades, building technology, building inspection, engineering, architecture, or construction management related field including for a public agency desirable.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in building or fire code permitting, plan review, construction, or inspection; including a minimum of two (2) years of both residential and commercial plan review and inspection experience; or Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and a driving record free from serious or frequent traffic violations.
• ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification and Building Plans Examiner Certification required at time of hire.
• ICC Commercial Combination Inspection Certification and the Residential Combination Inspection Certification required at time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized training or experience in the building construction trades, building technology, building inspection, engineering, architecture, or construction management related field including for a public agency desirable.
• Based on future needs of the City, additional ICC certifications may be required.

Responsibilities

• Performs plan review of building projects to assure compliance with all applicable codes, standards, specifications, and scheduling timelines.
• Provides written documentation concerning plan review comments, corrections, and code interpretations.
• Inspects buildings during construction to ensure compliance with adopted building codes and other applicable municipal codes and ordinances, including reviewing plans for non-structural code compliance including life-safety, conventional framing, plumbing, mechanical and accessibility.
• Provides written documentation concerning inspection comments, corrections, and code interpretation.
• Attends Pre-Application Conferences and coordinates with other City staff in responses for Pre-Application Conferences.
• A resource to contractors, general public, design professionals and other interested parties on matters relating to code requirements, construction practices, plan deficiencies, and permitting processes.
• Prems duties of the Building Official including approval of building permits, preforms reviews of site to determine non-compliance under municipal and State building code, issues compliance notices and letters, assist Code Compliance Officer with inspections and determinations of non-compliance.
• Determines matters to be resolved independently or need referral to the Director; responds to complaints or inquiries by telephone or in writing as directed.
• Prepares and produces varied correspondence, technical and statistical reports, and public records.
• Maintains timely and regular attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides administrative support for permitting, including determination of completeness, application processing, plan review, fee assessment and collection, and permit issuance.
• Schedules building inspections for commercial and residential projects.
• Maintains and updates project documentation and project files, updates permitting information in the tracking database.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment including copiers, scanners, facsimile machines, and computers to input and retrieve data, text, graphics, as well as perform research.
• Creates and updates public handouts for building code information.
• Performs the duties of a building inspector as qualified and required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision with City contribution towards premium
• Retirement through WA State Department of Retirement (DRS)
• HRA VEBA Contribution
• Group Life Insurance
• PTO including vacation and sick time accrual, paid holidays (13), and personal holidays (4)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED