Building Plans Examiner I, 205, Building Development & Review

Salary: $18.93 Hourly
Location : Laredo, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: A262120-1
Department: Planning and Zoning (21)
Division: Building Development & Review
Opening Date: 03/16/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Description


Ensures code and ordinance compliance in the building environment.

Essential Functions/ Job Competencies/ Physical Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Reviews building plans/applications for building code and ordinance compliance.
• Issues building permits.
• Conducts pre-permit inspections, post-permit inspections, and pre-co inspections.
• Assists in maintaining good communication between staff, visitors and other business contacts.
• Must follow all rules of telephone courtesy in all telephone communications.
• Identifies deficiencies and prepares written correction notices.
• Reviews applications/plans for Land Development Code compliance.
• Evaluates permit applications for completeness prior to acceptance for review.
• Coordinates with permit technicians regarding application intake requirements.
• Assists in determining permit types and applicable fees.
• Reviews revisions to approved plans for compliance.
• Routes plans to appropriate departments for review (Planning, Fire, Engineering, Utilities, Environmental, etc.)
• Coordinates review comments and consolidates feedback for applicants.
• Participates in project meetings, workshops, townhall, open houses, or related type meetings with staff, the public, stakeholders, or elected official etc. as needed.
• Provides technical assistance to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and the public regarding code requirements and permitting procedures.
• Explains correction comment and review findings.
• Assists customers at the permit counter, by phone, and electronically.
• May prepare and/or assist in the development of ordinance
  amendments/reports/PowerPoint presentations; conduct research and analysis of federal, state, and local codes and regulations; assist with coordination of departmental programs and initiatives; and/or prepare monthly, annual and special reports as required.
• May prepare and give public presentations.
• May require work after hours or on the weekends.
• Performs related work as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read and understand architectural renderings building plans and construction drawings.
• Ability to read, understands, interpret, apply, and implement building code and all relevant state and local code.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
• Ability to maintain valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English and Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment Locations Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
Never

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Confined space
• Warehouse environment

Seldom

• Outdoor environment
• Construction site

Sometimes

• Vehicles

Often

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Never

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate

Travel Position will require the employee to travel

Never:

• National travel
• International travel

Seldom:

• Regional travel

Sometimes:

• Local travel

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or 60 college hours from an accredited* college or university in Building Science, Architecture, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or related field

*Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)
Valid Licenses and Certifications
Valid Licenses or Certifications

Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.


Required Education and Experience

• ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification must be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment.**

**Continued employment is contingent on successfully obtaining required certification(s) and/or license(s) within the specified period of time indicated above from time of hire.
As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.
City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.
The City of Laredo provides a benefit compensation package that includes the following for all Full-time regular employees:

• 10 days of paid vacation per year
• 6 1/2 days sick leave per year
• Pension plan
• 16 paid Holidays
• Paid health *
• Dental plan *
• Life insurance *

*30 day waiting period

For a full description of our benefits, please visit our website at: under Employee Benefits
01


Are you a current regular full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee?

• I am a full-time City of Laredo employee
• I am a part-time City of Laredo
• I am not a full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee

02


What is your highest level of education?

• Some High School
• High School Diploma or G.E.D. recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency
• 30 completed college hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 60 completed college hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
• PhD from an accredited college or university
• Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university
• Other Post Graduate Degree from an accredited college or university
• None of the above

03


If you hold an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Juris Doctor, or Post Graduate Degree, please provide your major/minor:
04


Do you have at least five (5) years of experience in Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or related field?

• Yes
• No

05


From the experience you provided on your application, list the name of the agencies you performed Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or related field with: Note: Do not answer this question with "See Resume" or "See Application". Doing so will automatically disqualify your application from the process. )
06


I understand that failure to complete ALL sections of my application, including the "Driver License" (if appicable), "Education", "Work Experience", "Certifications and Licenses" (if applicable), "Agency-Wide Questions", and "Job Specific Supplemental Questions" will result in my application not being processed.

• I have read and understood the above information.
• I have read and do not understand the above information. I will contact the Human Resources Department for further explanation.

Required Question