Plans Review Specialist Series

City of Chattanooga•Chattanooga, TN

3d•$19 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Chattanooga’s Public Works Department is hiring for its three-level Plans Review Specialist series in the Land Development Office. The role facilitates plan submissions and reviews residential permits and commercial plans at entry, intermediate, or complex levels to ensure compliance with relevant codes and regulations. It provides technical support to City officials, design professionals, permitting-system users, and the public, and maintains paper and electronic information systems, including permitting and GIS data. The work requires limited supervision and independent judgment. Specialists examine and review building, site, sewer, and construction plans; verify submittal completeness and code compliance; conduct research and, as needed, site visits; document and maintain review records; and communicate with applicants and other stakeholders. Higher levels include coordinating reviews, approving permits, providing technical guidance, and leading lower-level staff. The position is based at the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time; hours may vary due to assignments or projects. This is a non-exempt position. Pre-employment screening includes a background check, drug screening, and a 50-pound lift test.

Requirements

Plans Review Specialist 1: Four years of combined relevant education, training, or experience sufficient to perform the essential duties; relevant education may include an associate degree with engineering or architecture coursework. Relevant experience may include construction or building industry work, familiarity with computer programs, and customer service.
Plans Review Specialist 2: Associate degree emphasizing civil engineering or building construction and two years of supplemental experience involving building construction, architecture, civil engineering, or zoning/building-code enforcement, including blueprint and building-code interpretation; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted with specified Land Development Office approval.
Plans Review Specialist 3: Construction education or background supplemented by four years of experience involving building construction, architecture, civil engineering, or code enforcement; experience should include interpreting blueprints and building codes and reviewing plans or permits, or an equivalent combination approved by the specified officials.
Valid driver's license for all levels.
Specialist 2 certification: Residential Building Inspector (B1) or TDEC EPSC Level 1 Certification.
Specialist 3 certification: Building Inspector Certification (B2) or TDEC EPSC Level 1 Certification, CPMSM, TDEC SCM Inspection and Maintenance, or TDEC Level 2.
Knowledge of relevant engineering or architectural principles, GIS and database systems, construction practices, terminology, customer service, and applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, processes, and procedures.
Skills using computers and related software, providing customer service, interpreting and applying codes, creating and editing GIS database layers, reviewing engineering plans, conducting research, and communicating technical information to nontechnical audiences.
Specialist 3: Skills in records maintenance and prioritizing and assigning work.
Ability to communicate and maintain interpersonal relationships with coworkers, supervisors, managers, staff, and the public.
Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation and meet regular attendance requirements.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions; the listed work environment includes lifting or moving objects up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Responsibilities

Examine residential applications and commercial building, sewer, and site plans submitted for permits.
Verify that civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, gas, and plumbing drawings are complete and meet applicable requirements; route plans for review or approval as appropriate.
Enter plans, permitting data, and related information into applicable databases.
Respond to and assist City officials, internal departments, individuals, external organizations, and other interested parties regarding permitting processes, codes, and requirements.
Research and validate parcel details, service availability, easements, setbacks, zoning requirements, and other applicable information.
Review commercial and residential submittal packages for compliance with zoning, health, safety, welfare, and other applicable codes before issuing permits.
Review plans for new buildings, structures, and remodeling projects for conformance with codes, specifications, and approved construction plans.
Interpret and enforce applicable federal, state, and local codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; initiate action to correct deviations or violations.
Provide technical information and assistance on code requirements; discuss issues with stakeholders, recommend solutions, and respond to questions or complaints about code violations.
Conduct site visits as needed to obtain project information and verify code compliance; observe areas surrounding variance application sites.
Prepare, complete, process, forward, and retain forms, reports, correspondence, plans, maps, minutes, and other records; maintain logs of reviews and approvals.
Meet with architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and the public to discuss codes and compliance issues; attend pre-submittal meetings.
Coordinate review of site, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and flood requirements, and coordinate 311 responses for the division as assigned.
At Specialist 3 level, lead and direct lower-level staff, assign and monitor work, train staff, provide technical guidance, review complex plans, and approve commercial and residential building permits.
Maintain regular attendance, effective working relationships, and timely completion of essential duties; perform other duties as assigned.