PLANS EXAMINER

Job Summary

Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, conducts comprehensive building plan reviews by checking plans, specifications, and drawings for completeness and compliance examination on new construction, alterations, and repairs to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. Assists Permit Specialists with customer questions concerning permits or plan reviews. Consults with and assists architects, engineers, builders, and owners regarding methods of design and construction and other matters relating to the plan review process, related codes and City ordinances or to help find solutions to intricate plan details or discuss building design prior to plan submittal. Drafts detailed plan review comments and discrepancies into the data management system for each project reviewed. Reviews and maintains all standard plan review comments in the data system for accuracy, code compliance and currency with the most recent adopted codes and standards. Conducts field inspections, occupancy inspections, and onsite evaluation of construction projects as needed to understand complex designs or to assist other department staff. Attends building code related continuing education classes to maintain the credit hours required for state licensure and certification renewals.

Essential Functions

• Conduct Plan Reviews: Complete building code compliance reviews for submitted plans and documents for construction projects to be located within the City of Greenville. Maintain a working knowledge of the adopted building codes and related standards to accurately apply them during reviews, and communicate their requirements to customers, and suggest alternate design methods when necessary. Under limited supervision, using various reports and data systems, ensure reviews are consistently completed within the established review time set by the City. Conduct onsite inspections as needed during plan review or during the inspection process when needed to assist the Building Inspectors, verify onsite conditions or to find alternate design solutions.
• 55%
• Perform Field Inspections: Inspect building projects to ensure construction proceeds in accordance with approved building design. Interpret adopted codes, technical manuals, drawings, instructions, specifications as related to construction projects. Clearly notify contractor of code violations with written compliance report at the time of inspection. Offer suggestions to contractors for resolving problems encountered in the field. Enter inspections and results into the Buildings, Codes & Property Maintenance Department data management system, maintaining accurate records of permits and daily inspections. Examine plans, specifications, and other materials to ensure code compliance prior to permitting and during construction. Produce and provide appropriate written or verbal feedback to contractors and other customers as needed to communicate code violations, code interpretations, or responses to any other code related inquiries. Maintain all trade specific personal certifications and licenses required for the job classification employed.
• 15%
• Provide Customer Service: Assist customers in person or through various electronic formats with any code or review-related inquiries. Work with the Permit Specialist and the Plans Routing Specialist to identify proper occupancy classifications, establishing building occupant loads and assist with any permitting or plan routing issues that may arise. Assist Building Inspection team with specific plan searches, design guidelines and other complex issues. Assist other City departments with permit application or plan review inquiries and maintain open lines of communication across departments.
• 10%
• Perform Data Management: Create and maintain accurate building plan review data files for all new and existing projects. Review and update all standard comments within the data management system so that they are current with the most recently adopted codes and standards. Review all permit applications for proper type and occupancy.
• 10%
• Conduct Development Meetings: Conduct meetings with designers, architects, engineers, owners, etc. to assist with conceptual plans and building designs before, after and during plan submittal for construction projects to help clarify any code specifications or identify design deficiencies. Attend and actively participate in the Development Review Committee and assist the Permit Coordinator with facilitating the meetings as needed.
• 10%
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, building sciences, construction management or other building related field or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job may be considered.
• Over four (4) years of experience as a building inspector, building plans examiner, or other building construction associated field.
• Must have the International Code Council (ICC) certification for Building Plans Examiner.
• Must be eligible to obtain a South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Building Plans Examiner license at the time of employment.

Driver's License Requirements

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Performance Requirements

Knowledge of:

• State and local construction laws and regulations.
• Construction processes, materials, specifications, symbols, terminology, and codes as it relates to required inspections.
• Procedures and process for permitting, plan review, and data management.
• Best practices and procedures for conducting building inspections.

Ability to:

• Interpret relevant ordinances, laws, and policies as well as communicate them both orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and tactful manner.
• Analyze problems and identify alternative solutions.
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper plan review techniques, and detect deviations from model codes, regulations and standard construction practices.
• Learn and perform plan reviews in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent and efficient work as a Plans Examiner.
• Determine that construction systems conform to City code requirements.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted during the course of work.
• Observe conditions, determine compliance, and firmly but tactfully enforce regulations.
• Identify unsafe installations and life safety violations.
• Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes.
• Write reports, prepare business letters, summaries, and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.
• Drive City vehicles between facilities and job sites.
• Utilize a flashlight, calculator, architectural and engineering scales, and applicable safety equipment.
• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Utilize specialized software and systems to include permit tracking system.

Working Conditions

Primary Work Location: Office environment with occasional job site visits.

Protective Equipment Required: Hardhat, steel-toe shoes/boots, and safety glasses.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors: Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work. Monthly exposure to respiratory hazards, noise and vibration, and physical hazards. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperature and wetness and/or humidity.

Physical Demands: Constantly requires vision and hearing. Frequently requires fine dexterity, walking, kneeling, foot controls, bending, crouching and stooping, twisting, and talking. Occasionally requires standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, and handling/grasping. Light strength demands include exerting up to 10-20 pounds occasionally, exerting up to 10 pounds frequently, or negligible amounts constantly and/or walking or standing to a significant degree.

Mental Demands: Frequently requires time pressures, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and working closely with others as part of a team. Occasionally requires frequent change of tasks and tedious or exacting work.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.