Plans Examiner (1) or (2)

Plans Examiner

This position is being posted as a Plans Examiner (1 -2). The successful candidate will be hired into the position at a level that is commensurate with their individual qualifications and level of experience.

Purpose Of Position: The Plans Examiner 1, under continuing supervision, conducts preliminary reviews of building plans and specifications to ensure compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, codes, and standards. The Plans Examiner 1 will focus primarily on residential buildings, alterations, and repairs, verifying that plans meet required structural and building system standards. This role also involves providing technical assistance to customers through various channels, including in-person and electronic communication. This position will also perform on site building inspections as needed.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Plans Examiner 1 is considered the entry level in the professional Plans Examiner series. This position performs preliminary reviews of application plans and documents to ensure completeness, accuracy, and addresses issues prior to the acceptance of the application. This position is different from the Plans Examiner 2, which conducts thorough reviews of construction documents and plans for residential and commercial buildings. The Plans Examiner II position is a Journey Level Class in the Plans Examiner series. This position performs residential and commercial plan reviews ranging in complexity from easy to moderately difficult for compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, energy, accessibility and fire code requirements.

Plans Examiner 1 Essential Functions: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

• Reviews permit applications and plans to ensure completeness, conformance, and compliance with department requirements, Building Codes, and local ordinances, resulting in accurate and timely permit issuance.
• Performs preliminary plan checks for small construction projects, such as fences, walls, and room additions, to ensure code compliance and issue permits efficiently.
• Reviews architectural drawings, structural calculations, and specifications submitted with permit applications to verify code compliance and identifies potential issues, ensuring that construction projects meet safety and regulatory standards.
• Reviews building plans and identifies and communicates code deficiencies and required corrections to builders and contractors, ensuring that construction projects are brought into compliance with regulatory standards.
• Prepares and distributes correspondence to applicants, architects, engineers, and contractors, providing clear and timely feedback on plan corrections and engineering details, and ensuring that projects are completed to code.
• Conducts site inspections at various stages of construction to verify compliance with building codes and safety standards, identifying and addressing potential issues before they become major problems, and ensuring public safety.
• Provides information and guidance to the public on County Building Codes, ordinances, and construction-related issues, promoting compliance and educating customers on regulatory requirements.
• Advises building inspectors on structural and other building-related problems during construction to ensure that construction projects are completed safely and in compliance with regulations.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to coordinate planning, establish project monitoring systems, and maintain accurate records, ensuring that projects are managed efficiently and effectively.
• Research construction products and techniques to determine code approval, to help ensure that the County's standards are aligned with best practices.
• Resolves complaints and answers questions from architects, contractors, builders, and members of the public, providing excellent customer service and facilitating successful project outcomes.
• Enforces compliance with building codes and regulations, issuing warnings or stop work orders as necessary, and initiating law enforcement procedures when public health or safety is at risk, maintaining a safe and compliant built environment.
• Take on office projects such as designing/updating customer handouts and office forms.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which are related to this position in the Building Department.

Plans Examiner 2 Essential Functions: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

• Reviews construction documents and building plans for new residential and commercial buildings, as well as alterations, to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations, resulting in safe and compliant construction projects.
• Reviews blueprints and calculates structural loads and spans as well examines aspects of commercial buildings such as fire systems, exits, and accessibility.
• Conducts site inspections at various stages of construction to verify compliance with building codes and safety standards, identifying and addressing potential issues before they become major problems, and ensuring public safety.
• Develops and implements systems and procedures that ensure plans, structural calculations, and specifications meet regulatory requirements, promoting consistency and efficiency in the plan review process.
• Communicates with stakeholders, including homeowners, builders, engineers, and architects, to provide guidance on building codes and regulations, and recommends necessary changes to achieve compliance, facilitating successful project outcomes.
• Prepares and distributes correspondence to applicants, architects, engineers, and contractors, providing clear and timely feedback on plan corrections and engineering details, and ensuring that projects are completed to code.
• Advises building inspectors on structural and other building-related problems during construction to ensure that construction projects are completed safely and in compliance with regulations.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to coordinate planning, establish project monitoring systems, and maintain accurate records, ensuring that projects are managed efficiently and effectively.
• Enforces compliance with building codes and regulations, issuing warnings or stop work orders as necessary, and initiating law enforcement procedures when public health or safety is at risk, maintaining a safe and compliant built environment.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of projects under permitting, tracking changes and updates to plans, specifications, and other relevant documents, and ensuring that all project information is readily available.
• Supports the inspection staff by providing technical expertise on building and code-related questions, helping them to resolve problems and ensure that construction projects are completed to code.
• Take on office projects such as designing/updating customer handouts and office forms.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which are related to this position in the Building Department.

Education, Experience, and Licensing

Plans Examiner 1:

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in construction or building inspection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialized training in architecture, engineering, plan review, construction inspections, or related field.

Licenses:

• Obtain ICC Certification as a Residential Plan Examiner within one year of hire.

Plans Examiner 2:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Practical experience in plan review and/or building inspection required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in construction management, or other similar field.
• International Code Council (ICC) certifications for Residential Plans Examiner or Building Inspector.
• Professional and practical experience in construction and/or the building permit review and inspection field.

Licenses:

• ICC Certified Commercial Plans Examiner
• One other related ICC certification or equivalent.

Other Requirements (Plans Examiner 1 & 2):

• Valid WA State Driver's License
• Maintain insurability under the County's vehicle insurance policy, including providing an acceptable driving abstract.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions

Working Conditions And Environment:

• Work is performed both indoors in an office environment, and outdoors at construction sites, which will subject the incumbent to extreme temperatures with exposure to sun, precipitation, wind, and/or snow.
• Occasional travel for fieldwork, offsite meetings, and overnight training purposes.
• Fieldwork may include irregular walking surfaces, trip and fall hazards, climbing on the roof of a building, and crawling beneath buildings and structures.

Physical Requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit, walk, and stand for extended periods of time.
• Regularly views computers screens and utilizes keyboards for prolonged periods of time to complete work tasks.
• Regularly views and utilizes hand-held devices for prolonged periods