Plans Examiner, Lead

Why Its a Great Opportunity: In this role with the Development Services division of Planning and Public Works (PPW) you will lead a team of Plans Examiners in our Building Division. You and your team will be responsible for conducting complex commercial and residential plan reviews serving as the point of contact for executive priority permits and renewing or extending permits and applications based upon current policies and practices. You will also develop strong relationships with a diverse group of customers coordinate your teams workload and provide guidance to plan reviewers. Plans Examiners support many exciting and unique projects from all spectrums of building construction including but not limited to new school campuses apartment complexes industrial warehouses and retirement communities throughout the county. Plan reviews are electronically and in compliance with state and locally adopted building plumbing mechanical and energy codes. Your efforts here will support your team and the safe growth of Pierce County.

Why Its a Great Department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people infrastructure systems and policies. PPWs team has more than 800 members that collaborate innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems sewer systems airports ferries building permits environmental review sustainability community planning and code enforcement - just to name a few!
Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be Successful in the Role: Your success will come from your strong leadership and communication skills for your team and for the customers served. Your ability to foster teamwork and cultivate an environment of respect trust and fairness will be key. Your experience in utilizing various building codes in delivering high-quality services and expertise to the citizens of Pierce County will ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Reviews commercial and residential blueprints and construction plans for conformance with various County codes.
• Identifies plan discrepancies with established building codes and regulations.
• Provides information to architects engineers and the public regarding code compliance and plan corrections.
• Participates in customer meetings as required.
• Assists in implementation of policy and procedure improvements.

• Additional education and/or related experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• Associate of Arts degree in Building Technology Engineering Architecture or related field AND
• Four or more years experience in building/fire inspection plans examining.
• Current I.C.C. Plans Examiner Mechanical and Plumbing certification is required.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

As a condition of employment the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting APPLY above or visiting you have questions about this opportunity email the Recruitment Team at and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices: This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position . Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience skills knowledge and writing style.

During the interview process you may be asked to demonstrate your skills including writing and subject knowledge and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the Countys needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps which may include assessments phone screens or interviews.

Upon offer compensation is based on a range of job-related factors including the requirements of the role your skills and experience and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported respected and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executives Forward Together mission Pierce County works to build communities that are safe welcoming and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit develop and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.