Plans Examiner

Job Title: Plans Examiner

Department: Building and Planning

Reports to: Director of Building and Planning

Status: Non-Exempt - Union Full Time

Hours: M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (40 hrs), flex hours possible

Compensation: 2026 Salary Schedule; $82,706 - $98,755 Annually

JOB PURPOSE

The Plans Examiner performs plan review and building inspection for residential and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with municipal and State building codes. Responsibilities include plan review for building code compliance, processing building permit applications, advising the general public on matters relating to construction and other code requirements, providing technical information to architects, engineers, contractors and others, including customer service responsibilities and technical assistance advice, receiving of funds, organizing files, preparing reports, responding to public records requests and other duties as assigned. Performance requires review of submitted documents and plans, proposed material evaluations, research, proper interpretation to ensure compliance with and application of adopted International Codes as well as other applicable city, state, federal codes, and standards. The duties are performed in an office environment and through onsite field visits.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Performs plan review of building projects to assure compliance with all applicable codes, standards, specifications, and scheduling timelines.
• Provides written documentation concerning plan review comments, corrections, and code interpretations.

• Inspects buildings during construction to ensure compliance with adopted building codes and other applicable municipal codes and ordinances, including reviewing plans for non-structural code compliance including life-safety, conventional framing, plumbing, mechanical and accessibility.
• Provides written documentation concerning inspection comments, corrections, and code interpretation.

• Attends Pre-Application Conferences and coordinates with other City staff in responses for Pre-Application Conferences.
• A resource to contractors, general public, design professionals and other interested parties on matters relating to code requirements, construction practices, plan deficiencies, and permitting processes.
• Preforms duties of the Building Official including approval of building permits, preforms reviews of site to determine non-compliance under municipal and State building code, issues compliance notices and letters, assist Code Compliance Officer with inspections and determinations of non-compliance.
• Determines matters to be resolved independently or need referral to the Director; responds to complaints or inquiries by telephone or in writing as directed.
• Prepares and produces varied correspondence, technical and statistical reports, and public records.
• Maintains timely and regular attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Provides administrative support for permitting, including determination of completeness, application processing, plan review, fee assessment and collection, and permit issuance.
• Schedules building inspections for commercial and residential projects.
• Maintains and updates project documentation and project files, updates permitting information in the tracking database.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment including copiers, scanners, facsimile machines, and computers to input and retrieve data, text, graphics, as well as perform research.
• Creates and updates public handouts for building code information.
• Performs the duties of a building inspector as qualified and required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, materials, and standard practices of building construction.
• City, state, federal codes and development regulations, policies and procedures, protocols, and standards governing plan review.
• Principals of structural design, engineering mathematics, and records management.
• Plans examination and review procedures for residential and commercial projects.
• Inspection of residential and commercial projects.
• Permitting systems, processes, plan review and inspection.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electronic media, plan review, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Office practices, procedures, and equipment.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, establish, and maintain working relationships with staff, general public, contractors, applicants, and other interested parties, including during difficult and sometimes adversarial circumstances.
• Understand and review all aspects of construction including engineering, structural reports and design, test data from special inspections, interpreting and applying codes and regulations, providing review and evaluation as well as preparation of applicable documentation.
• Read and interpret complex construction plans, blueprints, designs, maps, diagrams, and related documents, with the ability to identify deficiencies, code violations or deviations during the review process.
• Provide recommendations regarding interpretations of city, state, and federal standards, ordinances, specifications, policies, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, and perform tasks, meeting established deadlines.
• Prepare reports and/or correspondence as required.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Drive a motor vehicle to the job site.
• Maintain plan review documents, correspondence, and related files and records.
• Work independently as well as collaborate with others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with speed and accuracy under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
• Specialized training or experience in the building construction trades, building technology, building inspection, engineering, architecture, or construction management related field including for a public agency desirable.

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in building or fire code permitting, plan review, construction, or inspection; including a minimum of two (2) years of both residential and commercial plan review and inspection experience; or

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and a driving record free from serious or frequent traffic violations.
• ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification and Building Plans Examiner Certification required at time of hire.
• ICC Commercial Combination Inspection Certification and the Residential Combination Inspection Certification required at time of hire.
• Based on future needs of the City, additional ICC certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively with others in person and by telephone;
• Sufficient visual acuity, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, technical documents, review plans and diagrams, in the office and field environment.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer and calculator;
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, and agility to work in an office environment that requires sitting for extended periods of time as well as perform field inspections at building sites in adverse weather conditions.
• Sufficient ability to stop, bend, walk, crawl, push, pull, lift and carry up to 20 pounds, work indoors and outdoors in inclement weather, work in confined spaces that may be noisy. Exposure to hazards is commonplace. Employee will be exposed to direct sunlight, dust, pollen, pesticides, insecticides, insect stings, noxious odors, fumes or chemicals and smoke.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, Vision with City contribution towards premium
• Retirement through WA State Department of Retirement (DRS)
• HRA VEBA Contribution
• Group Life Insurance
• PTO including vacation and sick time accrual, paid holidays (13), and personal holidays (4)

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Airway Heights will provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees if requested. Please notify Human Resources if a reasonable accommodation is needed.