Summary
The Plans Examiner I is an essential position within the organization, primarily responsible for reviewing and examining residential building project plans and specifications. This role ensures that proposed constructions comply with adopted model codes, local ordinances, and state and federal regulations to ensure requirements for life, health, safety, and welfare of building occupants and the public are met.
Salary Range: $22.20 - $28.79 (Depending on qualifications and experience)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.
Perform commercial and residential building and mechanical plan review.
Conduct thorough reviews of new single-family, duplex, and townhome residential building permit applications, residential accessory buildings and structures, alternative energy systems (solar, generators), site plans, engineering reports, and supplemental permit documents to ensure compliance with adopted codes, city ordinances, and related state laws.
This includes assessing life safety issues and overall building and systems construction design.
Review applications and supporting documentation for temporary structures, tents, and special events.
Development review representative for single-family, duplex, and single family attached (townhome) projects.
Use computerized permit tracking system and digital plan review software to review and mark-up plans and provide review comments and permit information to customers.
Provide consultation and/or respond to concerns and inquiries from citizens, contractors, builders, engineers, and other entities on all aspects of building inspection procedures, department policies, and the adopted building codes and city ordinances.
Translate and communicate technical requirements to customers of varying technical knowledge/ability.
Respond to phone calls and e-mails; manage a variety of tasks effectively and timely in a fast-paced organization.
Demonstrate a respectful attitude towards customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service.
On occasion, review basic commercial and commercial accessory plans and projects as part of a training plan.
Create and maintain building code informational handouts, related to residential construction, for use by city staff and the public.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
Two (2) years of experience as a Permit Technician III (performing basic plan reviews) or building inspector in a municipal setting.
Two (2) years of higher education in construction management, engineering, architecture, or four (4) years of construction/trades experience may substitute for this experience.
Other related experience may be considered in meeting these qualifications.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Competent technical knowledge and application of residential codes and related state and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Advanced beginner technical knowledge and application of commercial codes.
Competent skills and knowledge of residential building construction and its materials, methods, and practices in all trades.
Proficient ability in effective oral and written communications, including the ability to communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
Proficient customer service skills including the ability to find alternative code solutions for customer challenges.
Competent skills and ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical specifications, installation manuals and other technical documents.
Competent skills and ability to interpret code requirements and ordinances and within the parameters of code and ordinance requirements, seek alternative solutions.
Competent skills and ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; ability to utilize principles of fractions; ability to interpret graphs.
Competent skills and ability to use permitting software and software to perform digital plan review and input/retrieve data.
Competent skills and ability to use internet, Microsoft Office 365, and general office equipment.
Advanced beginner knowledge of the principles and practices of residential land development.
Licenses and Certifications
International Code Council (ICC)
Certification as a Residential Plans Examiner and Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner or equivalent or legacy certifications.
ICC Building Plans Examiner within 18 months of hire
Valid Class C Texas driver's license
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
The incumbent will work primarily an office environment although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 30 pounds. Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.