PLANS EXAMINER

Salary: $81,702.40 - $106,246.40 Annually
Location : Reno, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 60002112 (09/2026)
Department: Community Services Department
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Position Information
Please click here for the Total Compensation Package for this job classification which includes county paid employee health benefits after 30 days of employment, county paid retirement benefits, vacation accruals, etc. The Total Compensation Package outlines the various benefits offered by Washoe County and the annual earnings based on the entry level salary for the job classification.
Under general supervision, reviews construction plans and specifications for completeness and compliance with building codes, state laws, and local ordinances; and performs related work as required.
This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in the Community Services Department. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at

Minimum Qualifications
Two years of experience as a building inspector; OR one year of experience as a plans examiner; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

License Or Certificate

• A valid driver's license is required at the time of application and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.

• Must possess the following International Code Council (ICC) certifications or recognized equivalent certifications at the time of application and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification:
  • Building Plans Examiner (B3) OR Residential Plans Examiner (R3)

• Must obtain the following International Code Council (ICC) certifications or recognized equivalent certifications within 12 months of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification:
  • Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)
  • Residential Mechanical Inspector (M1)
  • Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)
  • Either the Building Plans Examiner (B3) or the Residential Plans Examiner (R3), whichever has not been obtained at the time of application.

The ideal candidate is a customer-service-oriented professional who demonstrates sound judgment, strong technical aptitude, and the ability to apply building codes consistently and fairly. They possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and are able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with homeowners, contractors, design professionals, colleagues, and the public.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex plans, identify code compliance issues, and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain technical code requirements to a variety of audiences.
• A commitment to exceptional customer service while maintaining the County's responsibility to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a timely manner while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Sound decision-making skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• A collaborative approach to problem-solving and the ability to work effectively with other divisions, departments, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to efficiently review plans and meet established timelines.
• Proficiency in interpreting construction documents, technical specifications, adopted codes, and regulatory requirements.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• The ability to be adaptable, solution-oriented, and capable of balancing regulatory compliance with responsive and professional public service in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of Employment
The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Non-Supervisory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covers the Plans Examiner position.

Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective October 1, 2026, the $40.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.

Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.

Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.
What Happens Next
1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications. Written appeals should be submitted via email to the assigned Human Resources Business Partner using the contact information listed on this job announcement.
2. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive an email invitation to take the Professional Level online exam administered remotely; notices will be delivered within 1 week from the closing of the recruitment.
This exam link will tentatively be delivered via email the week of October 19, 2026, and qualified candidates will have a time limit to complete the exam, within 4 calendar days. **You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score within 1 week following the closing date of the recruitment.
The exam will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Reading Comprehension
• Written Communication
• Analytical Ability
• Business Math
• Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills

Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates. Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.
3. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.
4. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.
5. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and select:

• "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment.
• "Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment
• "Account" to update your contact information. Please note to update your phone number on previously submitted applications you must contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link:
Questions: Veronica North


View email address on click.appcast.io
View phone number on click.appcast.io
Veteran Point
Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.
Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.

Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.

• Nevada PERS Retirement - Washoe County pays 100% of the PERS contribution for each benefit eligible employee.
• Health, Dental, Life and Vision Insurance - Washoe County contributes 100% of the premium for each employee. Washoe County also contributes 50% of the premium for dependent coverage. Note: New employees are automatically enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account. Washoe County contributes up to $2,500 annually (based on benefit effective date and coverage tier) into the employee's Health Savings Account (HSA). Newly hired employees become eligible for health benefits after 30 days of employment. Benefits Link -
• Deferred Compensation plans available
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Accrual (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Sick Leave (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Longevity Pay
• Merit Increases - Full-time employees eligible to receive an annual merit increase of 5% until the position classification's maximum salary is reached.
• Cost-of living adjustments - historical annual COLA increases for 2017-2026 have ranged from 2.5% - 5.0%
• There are no Social Security deductions (although a 1.45% deduction for Medicare is required)
• Nevada does not have state or local income tax*

01


Do you possess a valid ICC Building Plans Examiner (B3) certification?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a valid ICC Plans Examiner (R3) certification?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess at least two years of experience as a Building Inspector?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess at least one year of experience working as a Plans Examiner?

• Yes
• No

Required Question