Residential Plan Reviewer

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for residential construction and design? Do you have a strong understanding of building codes, regulations, and construction processes? If you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and contribute to the successful development of residential communities.


Performs difficult skilled technical work in the examination of building construction and renovation plans to ensure compliance with local and state building codes. Work involves the review of building construction blueprints, plot plans, surveys, and sketches to determine whether such plans meet code requirements. The employee will exercise considerable independence of action and judgment for making decisions on the interpretation of established codes, regulations, and technical guidelines. Work normally flows to the employee automatically but may be assigned by an administrative and/or technical superior.  Work is performed under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Permitting and Inspections.

• Examines residential building plans, specifications, surveys, and sketches for compliance with codes and regulations governing building construction, alterations, and repairs of buildings and structures;
• Recommends changes to plans as needed for compliance; rejects plans not meeting minimum code requirements; authorizes a continuance of construction plans by affixing a signature on the plans representing an official approval and compliance with the North Carolina State Building Codes;
• Verifies permit applications, descriptions of work, and submitted plans and specifications are in compliance with each other; 
• Makes site visits to construction sites to validate plans review decisions, or amend actions taken;
• Meets with and/or corresponds with building contractors, architects, engineers, property owners, and other interested parties to provide or receive information, explain and interpret building codes and regulations, and provides guidelines on the application and/or appeals process;
• Prepares and maintains official records and documents including reports of activities;
• Identifies, develops, implements, and maintains processes and practices that encourage, support, and promote effective, comprehensive, and meaningful citizen engagement;
• Attends various meetings and training sessions to stay abreast of professional developments and to maintain current certifications;

• Conduct routine construction inspections as required by NC Administrative Code 107.1;
• May assist with commercial building plan review depending on qualifications;
• Assist with code enforcement cases for properties with violations through property research of historical permit records, tax records and GIS data;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Associate’s degree in building construction, building design, or related field and at least three (3) years of code enforcement and/or plan review experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements outlined in law or regulation.

• Thorough knowledge of the materials, methods, and practices as well as systems, elements, and components used in building construction including those structural, architectural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical; 
• Considerable of the North Carolina State Building Codes, and North Carolina General Statutes; 
• Knowledge of communication techniques required for the nature of the work performed;
• Ability to set and follow effective work priorities and procedures and coordinate deadlines;

• Ability to train and coach staff, as needed;
• Ability to function independently or as a member of a cross-disciplinary team in the inspection processes;
• Ability to identify and resolve problems related to the nature of the work performed;
• Ability to serve as a technical or procedural resource in the plans examination process;
• Ability to interpret and analyze plan discrepancies and recommend alternatives for compliance that meet objectives of plan presenters and Chatham County regulations;
• Ability to research, summarize, and report on narrative and statistical data;
• Ability to schedule and coordinate a variety of appointments, meetings, and conferences;
• Ability to draft correspondence or reports for public review;
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret construction plans, plot plans and specifications, surveys and sketches;
• Ability to interpret, explain, and enforce codes and regulations;
• Ability to present ideas and decisions clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion when communicating with building contractors, engineers, property owners, and other interested parties in the plans examination process;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, elected officials, engineers, architects, contractors, and the general public.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling or feeling, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting, smelling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visually inspecting small defects and/or small parts, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements
Must possess or obtain a minimum of a Level I standard certificate issued by the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board. 
 
 Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Salary : $63,283 - $80,684