Plans Examiner

City of Foster City
Estero Municipal Improvement District
Job Specification
 
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of the Chief Building Official, the Plans Examiner supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for plan checking, permit processing, and inspection activities; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. The Plans Examiner provides day-to-day oversight of the Building Inspectors, Building Permit Technician and Building counter operations. This position reviews and approves large-scale building and development plans in the preliminary and final stages of the plan check, and answers questions and imparts information pertaining to building codes, regulations, standards and City policies to contractors, engineers, architects and the public. The Plans Examiner acts as the Chief Building Official in his/her absence; assists and supervises the Building Inspectors’ daily duties; participates in the training of the Building Inspectors and the Permit Technicians; and performs other related duties as required.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, FEATURES, REQUIREMENTS:
This full-time, non-exempt classification requires advanced-level technical expertise and excellent customer service skills. It involves significant interaction and coordination with clients, contractors and other City employees. This position establishes schedules and methods for providing plan checking services; advises building inspectors, field inspectors, and others regarding potential field inspection problems; performs on-site inspections to help resolve difficult problems as necessary; review needs with appropriate management staff; coordinate plan checking activities with other Departments; transmit plans and specifications to appropriate Departments, divisions or outside consultants; transmit other department comments to applicants as necessary; performs the most technical and complex tasks of the Building Division; provides information and assistance to the public, contractors, and architects involving the Chief Building Official’s interpretation of construction codes, ordinances and zoning regulations and recommends necessary changes to plans to obtain compliance with applicable codes.; provide customer service at the front counter; respond to citizen questions and inquiries; attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends in code development; incorporate new state laws and regulations as appropriate into programs; and perform related duties as required.
 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:
Reports to and receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official who reports to the Community Development Director on the division’s activities. This classification serves as the principal lead worker of the Building Division and directs the work activities of assigned personnel.
 
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
  • Assigns, supervises and coordinates the work of field and/or counter Building Inspectors engaged in the enforcement of building codes, housing codes, etc.
  • Assists with supporting the Code Enforcement program and directing the investigation of complaints regarding violations of the California Building Standards and associated requirements.
  • Cross trains Building Division staff in state regulations to ensure that staff is in compliance with California Building Standards and state laws in their plan check reviews.
  • Assists with fulfilling State of California mandates imposed on Building Departments, such as permitting Accessory or Secondary Dwelling Units and Certified Access Specialists to review and inspect disability access requirements.
  • Complies with reporting requirements for decks and balconies at buildings comprised of three or more multifamily dwelling units and apartment buildings that are converted to condominiums.
  • Checks permits, plans and specifications for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances relating to building construction and conservation.
  • Coordinates the Building Division’s activities with those of the Planning Division, the Building counter operations, and other organizational elements of the Community Development Department Supervises and participates in major and complex inspections.
  • Supervises the Building Inspection Division in the absence of the Chief Building Official.
 
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES:
Ability to physically perform site inspections in varying construction conditions, requiring physical agility and stamina, stooping, walking, sitting and reaching for considerable periods of time.
 
JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Federal, state and municipal codes, ordinances, and regulations related to zoning, building construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections; building construction, materials and accepted safety standards; inspection methods and procedures; and elements of effective personnel supervision.
 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way would be:
Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent. A desired course of additional education would include two (2) years of college course work in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Inspection, or completion of an Apprenticeship Program in a building construction related field.
Experience: Six (6) years of experience including a minimum of two (2) years of full-time plan check experience and four (4) years of progressively increasing responsibility in a variety of municipal building inspection work.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications; perform complex building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections; interpret and apply provisions of pertinent codes and regulations; prepare accurate and concise reports; acquire and demonstrate skill supervising and managing the work of others; learn administrative techniques, methods and procedures of personnel management and other skills required to assist in the management of Division operations; establish and assist in developing improvements to computerized Division operations; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with engineers, architects, contractors and the public; attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.
 
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATION:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License, the International Code Council (I.C.C.) Plans Examiner Certificate, and Full Combination Building Inspector Certificate
are required. Possession of a Certified Building Official Certificate from the I.C.C are desirable. Within one year of hire, through training, the Plans Examiner will be able to attain the Access Specialist Certificate from the California Division of State Architect (CASp) certification; within two years of hiring the Plans Examiner will be able to attain the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Plan Checks certifications.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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