Plans Examiner

Salary : $101,664.00 - $123,504.00 Annually
Location : City of Monterey, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-1701
Department: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Division: BUILDING & SAFETY
Opening Date: 06/11/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: GEM


Description
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Plans Examiner position is a full-time position in the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. Working under the direction of the Building Official, this position is primarily office work with occasional field work as needed.

The Building and Safety Division is responsible for implementing and enforcing local, State, and Federal building and environmental codes, and other related code requirements. The Division enforces the City of Monterey's local building, fire, accessibility, and energy codes by providing plan checking, permit issuance, and inspection services. These services include processing applications, records management, and compliance inspections. The Division has a high customer service orientation.
ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:

Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its own conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.


WHAT SETS US APART?

At the City of Monterey, we believe in creating a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. We offer a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems.
Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligibility list. The eligibility list is active for 12-months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions determined to have similar duties and requirements.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the position has been filled. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Monterey provides outstanding servicesto the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

SUMMARY: Under direction, to review both residential and commercial plans and applications for conformance to all applicable State and City building codes; including structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire/life safety, State of California Energy Regulations and the physically disabled access laws. As additional support to the inspection staff, performs the inspection of buildings and structures to see that construction or alteration work is being done according to approved plans and in accordance with all applicable State and City buildings codes, and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a journey level class where incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties with minimal supervision. The Plans Examiner independently reviews and examines plans for all types and sizes of building projects; routinely acts as a code and ordinance consultant; may perform building inspections in areas of expertise; has substantial expertise in two or more of the following areas: plumbing, building, grading, electrical, mechanical, building inspection, structural engineering, or accessibility regulations; assists in training, coordinating and directing the work of subordinate clerical, technical and professional staff. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Building Official/Chief of Permit and Inspection Services in that the latter performs more technical and complex duties as well as budgetary, supervisory and management responsibilities.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review, check and approve building construction plans to verify compliance with all applicable State and City building codes.
• Calculate building valuations and permit fees. Issue building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits.
• Coordinates with and routes plans to various City and outside agency departments
• Answer the telephone and other public inquiries regarding building and plan check questions.
• Perform regular public counter functions and meet with interested individuals to discuss and review plans and related questions.
• Conduct inspections of existing buildings to determine hazardous conditions.
• Prepare written reports and miscellaneous correspondence.
• Inspects the construction or alteration of buildings and structures for compliance with applicable State building codes and City ordinances, primarily as a backup to the full-time inspectors.
• Inspect construction sites for compliance with State and City storm water protection regulations
• May act for the building Official in their absence, as assigned.
• Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Perform other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:


Education: Completion from high school or GED equivalent. A Bachelor of Science degree in a related field is desirable.


Experience: Four (4) years of responsible experience in, plans examining, architecture, engineering and/or building inspection fields.


An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.


LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Must possess a valid certification from the International Code Council (ICC) in one or more of the plans examiner categories. Commercial certification is highly desirable.
• A CASp or QSP/QSD certification is desired but not required.

Supplemental Info
Knowledge of:

• Building codes, plan checking principles and building inspection.

Skill in :

• Reading and interpreting building plans and specifications and enforcing their application in building construction.
• Working at a centralized public counter and work with a diverse group of people.
• Using computer hardware, software, and tablets for an automated permitting and inspection system.
• Preparing clear written reports and correspondence.
• Dealing effectively with and secure the cooperation of persons within the building trades.

This is a summary of benefits for employees holding classification in the General Employees' of Monterey (GEM) bargaining unit. This summary is for information purposes only. More specific details regarding these benefits can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and GEM
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Retirement: The City provides CalPERS 2.7 % @ 55 with highest year formula for "classic members", as defined by CalPERS, which includes current City of Monterey non-sworn miscellaneous employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 or new employees who are currently active or have been active within six months of the date of hire in the CalPERS or reciprocal retirement system. These Classic employees are responsible for paying the full 8.0% member contribution rate in addition to cost-sharing 3.0% of the employer contribution resulting in a total employee contribution of 11.0%, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis.

The City provides CalPERS 2% @ 62 with highest three year formula for "new members" as defined by CalPERS, which includes new non-sworn miscellaneous employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been previously employed by the City of Monterey or who were employed by a reciprocal agency but had a break in service greater than six months. New employees are responsible for contributing fifty percent (50%) of the total "normal cost" rate. The "normal cost" rate is subject to change on a fiscal year basis as determined by CalPERS.


The City participates in the Medicare portion of Social Security.

Flexible Benefit Plan: For plan year 2026, the City shall make a non-elective employer contribution to the flexible benefits plan on behalf of each active employee in this unit for use for health insurance, dependent dental insurance, and additional life insurance, in the following amounts:

Employee Only = $1,086.89

Employee + 1 = $2,223.60

Employee + 2= $2,872.83

Cash in lieu of benefits = $300.00

Dental: Fully paid employee premium by the City.

Vision: Fully paid premium for employee and eligible dependents by the City.

Life Insurance : $20,000 policy paid by the City, with an option to purchase additional coverage up to five times your annual base salary, up to a maximum of $350,000.

Short Term / Long Term Disability Plan : The City provides a Short Term/Long Term Disability Plan.

Deferred Compensation: City will match employee paid contributions to a maximum of $150.00 per month. Participants may contribute up to the maximum annual limit as specified by IRS guidelines.

Education Incentive Program Pay : If you have a college degree, you may qualify for 5% premium pay on base salary (for a Baccalaureate degree) or 7.5% premium pay on base salary (for a Master's degree) upon completion of probation. Employees are not eligible for this premium pay if their classification requires a Baccalaureate degree or higher.

Flexible Spending Account: The Section 125 Plan provides for an employee to set pre-tax dollars aside, through a payroll deduction, for reimbursement of health care and dependent care expenses.

Group Legal: Subject to provider limitations, the City will continue to provide a Group Legal Services Plan for employees represented by GEM through an employee-paid premium. Participation in the program shall be voluntary and consistent with the provider's requirements that the potential pool of participants must include a minimum of 200 employees.

Tuition Reimbursement: Subject to department approval,employees may be eligible for an allowance of $2,000 per fiscal year, per employee for reimbursement for costs incurred for job-related course textbooks, seminars, conferences, and other accredited courses.

Fitness Pass: Fitness Pass Program available to use the City of Monterey Sports Center.

Fitness Activity Plan: Employees are eligible to participate in a Fitness Activity Plan, allowing them to work out off-duty in exchange for leave time accrued in a Fitness Leave Bank. Employees may accrue up to 40 hours per year (10 hours per quarter), with a maximum of 80 hours allowed in the bank. The Fitness Leave Bank has no cash value, and accrued time does not expire.

City Recreation Program Fees: Resident Rates for City Recreation classes and programs for employees and immediate family household members.
Employee Assistance Program : Fully-paid confidential counseling and referral service for employee and eligible dependents.

Voluntary Unpaid Leave : With advance approval, an employee may take up to forty (40) hours of unpaid leave per calendar year.

Commuter Bicycle Program : Members may be reimbursed up to $20 per qualifying month for some of their bicycle commuting expenses.

Holidays : 14 paid days annually plus 1 floating holiday.

Sick Leave : 12 days per year.

Vacation : 1-5 years/10 days; 6-10 years/15 days; 11-15 years/ 17 days; 15+ years/20 days; 20+ years/23 days per year.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Candidate selected will serve up to one-year probationary period.
• Candidates who pass the testing process will be placed on an eligibility list. This list may be used to fill additional positions (including subordinate positions) that become available during the life of the list.
• This bulletin is for informational purposes only and does not supersede rules regulations, ordinances and resolutions currently in effect.
• Pursuant to the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, employees must show proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
• The City of Monterey is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
01


Please indicate your highest level of education in a related field.

• Master's degree or higher in related field
• Master's degree or higher in non-related field
• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Bachelor's degree in non-related field
• Associate's degree in related field
• Associate's degree in non-related field
• High School Diploma or GED
• No High School Diploma or GED

02


Please select the option that best describes your experience in plans examining, architecture, engineering and/or building inspection fields.

• 8 years or more
• 6 - 7 years or more
• 4 - 5 years or more
• Less than 3 years

03


Do you possess a valid certification from the international Code Council (ICC) in one or more of the plans examiner categories? If yes, you must attach proof of certificaiton.

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a CASp or QSP/QSD certification? If yes, you must attach proof of certification.

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a certification as a residential or commercial building inspector? If yes, you must attach proof of certification. Please note: certification within one (1) year of employment is required.

• Yes
• No

06


In 250 words or less, please answer the following supplemental question to the best of your ability. "See Resume" it not an acceptable response and will result in a disqualification. Note: The text box below does NOT provide you with the word count. It is your responsibility to track your usage and stay within the 250-word limit. Copy and pasting your response into a Microsoft Word Document is recommended for obtaining your word count. Please provide an example of a challenging plan review you personally completed. What were the challenges you faced and how was it resolved?
07


In 250 words or less, please answer the following supplemental question to the best of your ability. "See Resume" it not an acceptable response and will result in a disqualification. Note: The text box below does NOT provide you with the word count. It is your responsibility to track your usage and stay within the 250-word limit. Copy and pasting your response into a Microsoft Word Document is recommended for obtaining your word count. Failure to stay within the above stated word limit may result in your disqualification from this recruitment process. Please describe your experience in each of the areas below. Include the job positions you held in your response. 1) Plans Examining2) Building Inspection Fields3) Architecture/Engineering
Required Question