Senior Plans Examiner

City of Hemet•Hemet, CA

About The Position

The Senior Plans Examiner performs advanced and highly complex professional and technical work reviewing building plans, specifications, engineering calculations, technical reports, and other construction documents for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and adopted standards. The position conducts complex plan examinations, identifies deficiencies and code conflicts, prepares detailed review comments, and reviews revised submissions to help projects proceed through the permitting process. The role provides technical and functional direction, guidance, and training to plans examiners, building technicians, inspectors, and other staff. It coordinates reviews involving City departments, outside agencies, consultants, and applicants; reviews outside consultants’ work; advises design professionals and the public on construction requirements; and provides technical assistance and recommendations to the Chief Building Official and other City staff. The position may participate in development review, complex field reviews and inspections, policy and procedure development, code interpretation, quality control, and improvements to permitting and electronic plan review systems. Work is primarily indoors in a clean, climate-controlled office with frequent interaction with staff and the public. Periodic travel to construction sites and City facilities may be required. Field work can involve construction-related hazards and varying weather conditions. The position involves prolonged sitting and computer use, and may require walking, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs or ladders, and occasionally handling materials or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, supplemented by college-level coursework or specialized training in architecture, civil or structural engineering, construction technology, building inspection, or a related field.
Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in building plan review, plan checking, building code enforcement, or a closely related function, including review of complex construction projects.
Possess a valid California driver’s license.
Possess an International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner Certification.
Submit a Class C Driver's License and ICC Building Plans Examiner Certification with the application; required documents must remain current throughout the selection process.
Ability to perform advanced plan reviews, interpret and apply applicable codes and regulations, analyze construction documents and engineering calculations, and make sound decisions with considerable independence.
Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, grading, and other construction drawings and specifications.
Ability to prepare clear, technically accurate review comments, reports, correspondence, recommendations, and presentations.
Ability to provide technical direction and training, coordinate complex projects, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
Ability to communicate technical and regulatory requirements effectively and professionally with people of varying technical backgrounds.
Ability to work independently with general direction and exercise sound professional judgment.
Ability to safely perform field reviews and inspections at active construction sites and work around uneven surfaces, noise, dust, equipment, traffic, weather, and other potential hazards.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including prolonged sitting and computer use; walking, standing, reaching, bending, twisting, kneeling, crouching, and climbing stairs or ladders as needed; adequate vision, hearing, and speech; and occasional handling of items weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

An associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, building construction technology, or a closely related field.
Experience providing technical direction, training, or lead responsibilities to plans examination, building inspection, permit, or related staff.
Experience with municipal building and safety operations.
Certification in additional ICC examination categories, including Building, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing.
Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Certification issued by the Division of the State Architect.

Responsibilities

Review complex building plans, construction documents, specifications, engineering and structural calculations, technical reports, energy calculations, and development-related submittals for compliance with applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
Identify deficiencies, required corrections, potential code conflicts, and compliance issues; prepare detailed review comments, correction notices, correspondence, and reports; and review revised plans and supporting documents.
Review structural designs, calculations, materials, construction methods, civil engineering documents, grading and drainage plans, hydrology and hydraulic studies, utility plans, accessibility features, and related technical materials.
Review assigned plans for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, accessibility, energy, zoning, fire and life-safety, grading, drainage, and other applicable requirements.
Provide technical and functional direction, guidance, training, and assistance to plans examiners, building technicians, inspectors, and other staff.
Coordinate complex plan reviews involving City departments, outside agencies, consultants, and regulatory organizations; identify conflicts or delays and work to resolve them.
Review outside plan review consultants’ and engineers’ work for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with City requirements.
Consult with applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, property owners, homeowners, and the public about projects, review comments, codes, permits, and compliance options.
Respond to complex questions and complaints about codes, construction requirements, review decisions, permits, and City procedures; research issues and provide technical explanations and recommendations.
Assist applicants and the public at the customer service counter by reviewing plans and explaining code requirements, deficiencies, and permit processes.
Participate in preliminary design and development reviews, including interdepartmental committees; review development plans and provide technical comments and recommendations.
Coordinate development and plan review projects with Planning, Engineering, Public Works, Fire, other City departments, agencies, and consultants.
Assist inspectors with complex or unusual construction conditions, structural questions, alternate materials or methods, and interpretation of approved documents; participate in field reviews and inspections as necessary.
Research changes in laws, regulations, codes, standards, and industry practices; evaluate effects on City operations and recommend changes to policies, procedures, forms, standards, and work practices.
Help develop and implement plan review policies, procedures, work standards, checklists, and quality-control processes.
Monitor workloads, project status, processing times, and operational information; prepare reports and recommend improvements to procedures, staffing, technology, and service delivery.
Participate in developing and delivering staff training on codes, regulations, policies, procedures, construction practices, and technical issues.
Maintain records, logs, files, permit information, review comments, and project status information in electronic permitting and related computer systems.
Assist with evaluation and implementation of electronic plan review and permitting systems and identify opportunities to improve workflows, information management, and customer service.
Assist with review and calculation of development, plan review, permit, and other applicable fees; prepare or verify project cost estimates as assigned.
Represent Building and Safety at meetings with applicants, developers, professionals, contractors, City departments, outside agencies, and community or professional organizations.
Provide technical assistance to the Chief Building Official and management on complex code interpretations, projects, construction issues, procedures, and proposed regulatory changes.
Prepare technical reports, memoranda, correspondence, presentations, procedures, code interpretations, and other plan review and compliance materials.
Participate in code development and recommend changes to ordinances, policies, procedures, standards, and plan review practices.
May participate in recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation, and development of assigned staff.
Perform other duties as assigned.