Job Descriptions

To perform plan review and examine construction documents for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and alteration to determine compliance with structural calculation standards and building and related codes and regulations. This classification is assigned to the miscellaneous bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

This is the journey level class in the Plans Examiner series. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Plans Examiner I, or, when filled from the outside, require prior plan review work experience. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class requiring a complete knowledge of department policies and procedures and meet the qualification standards for the class. A Plans Examiner II is expected to perform the entire range of moderately difficult plan reviews (building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) for a variety of residential, commercial and industrial construction and be able to assist with inspection of most routine (non-structural) building systems. Incumbents are eligible for consideration to promote to the higher level of Senior Plans Examiner after completing a minimum of five years of journey level experience. Promotion to the Senior level is based on possession of minimum qualifications and ICBO/CALBO certifications as required for that classification, and fully demonstrating the ability to perform advanced journey level assignments in all aspects of municipal building plan review activities as assessed by the department manager and the appointing authority.

General supervision is provided by the Chief Building Official or Senior Plans Examiner. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by higher level Plans Examiner personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Monitor and perform the plan review; examine construction documents for residential, commercial and industrial building construction and alterations.
• Develop and administer systems and procedures that ensure that plans, structural calculations, and specifications comply with building and related codes and regulations.
• Confer with homeowners, builders, engineers and architects to give and obtain information and interpret building codes and regulations; recommend necessary changes to obtain compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Make difficult on-site inspections as required as follow-up to plan check activities.
• Check the stability of soils and footing systems.
• May perform routine building inspection assignments in support of inspection staff.
• Prepare correspondence to architects, engineers and contractors relating to the correction of plans and engineering detail.
• Advise building inspectors on structural and other building related problems arising in the field during construction.
• Work closely with others to coordinate planning, establishing project monitoring systems, timetables and records.

Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practices of structural construction and engineering.
• Residential, commercial and industrial construction materials, methods and equipment.
• Federal, state and municipal codes and regulations governing housing and building construction, rehabilitation, alteration, use and occupancy.
• Appropriate safety and fire prevention construction and building methods.

Ability To:

• Perform detailed analysis and examination of building and construction designs, specifications and plans.
• Apply engineering and architectural principles and techniques.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Any combination of experience and training that would be likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

3 years plan checking experience (combination model building codes) with increasing responsibility in nonresidential reviews.

Education:

Thirty college units with major course work in Building Technology, Construction Management or a related field such as Architecture or Civil Engineering, or fifteen continuing education units from, ICC, CAlBO or accredited training.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession of a Code Certification issued by the International Code Conference (ICC) or California Building Officials (CALBO) as a Residential Plans Examiner and at least one of the following: Commercial Plans Examiner, Residential or Commercial Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical Inspector Certification. Or registration as an Architect or Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California (For an Architect or Engineer, certification by the ICC and or CALBO as a Residential and Commercial Building Plans Examiner is required within 12 months of employment). Possession of a valid California Driver's License at the time of appointment and must be maintained thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to read, write, make observations, view computer screen, read gauges and other instrumentation as well as operate a motor vehicle; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person; use hands and fingers well enough to use computer keyboard, write, file and answer telephones; bodily mobility to walk on uneven surfaces or slopped surface such as construction sites and roofs, bend, stand, climb on scaffolding and ladders, and be able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperatures while performing inspections or other duties.