PLANS EXAMINER

Job Function:

The purpose of this position is to enforce the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

Career Path: Plans Examiner I, II, III, IV

Essential Duties:

1. Performs plan review in connection with the regulation of building construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas installations to be in compliance with the Florida Building Codes, FS 553, and the codes and standards referenced within these documents as adopted by the State of Florida.
2. Performs plan review in connection with the regulation of fire prevention to be in compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, FS 633 and the codes and standards referenced within these documents as adopted by the State of Florida.
3. Performs activities in connection with the regulation of construction as to be in compliance with the applicable codes and Ordinances of the City of Mount Dora.
4. Develop policies, methods, practices and procedures, and reviews programs for compliance consistent with the Florida Building Code, Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Statutes and the applicable Ordinances adopted by the City of Mount Dora.
5. Reviews construction drawings and related documents to determine compliance with building, fire and land development codes related to building construction.
6. Provide technical assistance and support to Building Officials, inspectors, or other individuals in matters related to permitting and plan review.
7. Consults with and establishes a satisfactory working relationship with architects, engineers, contractors, homeowners, customers, and other individuals that require assistance in matters related to building codes, fire codes, permitting and/or plans review.
8. Establish policies and procedures that enhance plan review functions in order to provide efficiency and consistency in departmental operations.
9. Perform Field inspections as required.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Provide a high degree of Customer service.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and fellow employees.
• Interact with customers, builders and developers while presenting oneself in a professional manner.
• Read and interpret, legal documents, development plans, building plans, and site plans.
• Coordinate and participate in the assembly and presentation of special research projects and reports.
• Interpret building and fire codes in a professional manner.

Qualification Requirements:


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Certification:

Requirements include but are not limited to:

• High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required
• Five (5) years of experience as a licensed architect, engineer, building contractor, Standard Building Inspector, Standard Plans Examiner.
• Obtain Standard Plans Examiner Certification as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical Inspector, as the position may require
• Certified Floodplain Manager certification
• Fire Safety Inspector I certification
• Valid Florida Driver's License
• Sufficient education and/or experience to apply for certification as a Plans Examiner by the State of Florida under Florida Statute 468. Must be capable of obtaining a provisional certification as a Plans Examiner from the State of Florida and final certification from the State of Florida under Florida Statute 468 within one (1) year from the date of hire.
• Complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within 6 months of completion of probationary period.

Essential Physical Skills:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit; stand; walk; talk; hear; and, use hands.
• The employee is frequently required to reach.
• The employee is occasionally required to: climb ladders; stoop; kneel; crouch; and, crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close-up; distance; peripheral; color perception; depth perception; and, focusing.
• The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential duties.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform his/her essential duties.
• Must be able to operate computer systems and components, communication equipment, verification and test equipment, motor vehicle, and general office equipment.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, reports, blue prints and building plans. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards and the City Council.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts as required.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of all types of building construction materials and methods and of stages in construction when possible violations and defects may most easily be observed and corrected. Knowledge of building codes and other related laws and ordinances. Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to detect structural and other faults and to appraise for compliance with applicable codes.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and blueprints quickly and accurately, and to compare them with construction in process.
• Ability to consult with building owners, contractors and the general public. Ability to enforce regulations with firmness and tact.

Environmental Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and may occasionally be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with existing ADA requirements for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.)

Note: Job Descriptions are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. E-Verify Works for Everyone For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.

The City of Mount Dora is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Mount Dora will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Mount Dora is a drug-free, smoke-free, EOE.