Associate Plan Check Engineer

The City of Buena Park is looking for an experienced Associate Plan Check Engineer with a strong commercial background to join the Community Development Building Team.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, administers and participates in plan checking activities; responsible for reviewing construction drawings, engineering reports and calculations for conformance to building standards for commercial, residential, and industrial construction and equipment installation, conducts related field inspections, and provides assistance to the public at the counter; attends pre-submittal design review meetings and assesses feasibility of proposed designs and construction projects; performs a variety of complex and difficult professional plan check duties; manages plan check consultants and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Associate Plan Check Engineer reports to the Building & Safety Manager or Principal Plan Check Engineer and may exercise technical guidance over plan check consultants in completing assignments and projects. The incumbent is responsible for the review and approval of development plans and specifications, and other building plan check related assignments. The Associate Plan Check Engineer is a journey level professional plan check position in the Community and Economic Development Department. The Associate Plan Check Engineer’s responsibility is to perform complex plan check tasks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Performs complex plan checking duties related to structural design and drawings for commercial and industrial construction including earthquake and wind load stress determination, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical requirements.
2. Checks and performs complex engineering calculations; prepares construction agreements with developers, under the guidance of engineering management, and participates in the review and approval of plans submitted by consultants.
3. Interacts with representatives of other City Departments and Divisions, outside agencies, local community groups and the general public. 
4. Represents the City in meetings with planning agencies, bodies, and public and private representatives.
5. Prepares plan correction lists and reevaluates plans which require correction.
6. Ensures plan compliance with applicable structural engineering requirements and a variety of codes including State energy code requirements.
7. Participates in the development and implementation of division/department goals, objectives, priorities, and the budget.
8. Assists in developing new plan checking procedures/policies and oversees their implementation.
9. Responds to inquiries from architects, builders, contractors, engineers, realtors, and the public regarding the interpretation of technical code requirements and City building standards.
10. Interacts and provides information to the public at the building public counter, on the phone, and via e-mail.
11. Evaluates construction plans for the issuance of permits and collection of applicable fees.
12. May lead, coordinate, or supervise administrative and technical staff as required. 
13. Provides assistance at a public counter as needed.
14. Utilizes software and database applications to make calculations and prepares a variety of specialized engineering reports. 
15. Conducts field inspections to ensure conformance with project and material specifications. 
16. Performs other projects/tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:

Ability to:

Interpret and apply laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, policies, guidelines and procedures related to area assigned; read and interpret building plans, blueprints and specifications; organize, coordinate and perform major plan check tasks; research, compile and analyze a variety of complex data, ordinances, procedures and related material; make complex engineering computations related to building construction; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; understand and carry out oral and written instructions and use independent judgment and initiative; establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; meet the public with courtesy and tact; operate a personal computer and use applicable software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, contractors, consultants, public and private representatives, general public, and others in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this class, employees are frequently required to sit, stand and walk; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. Employees occasionally lift and move records and documents weighing up to 20 pounds.  

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, management, vendors, contractors, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees typically work in office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet, at or below 85 decibels levels. The employee occasionally attends meetings, conventions, city events, and other functions on behalf of the city, including evening and weekend hours. The employee frequently drives to various city sites to inspect work and projects and encounters variable weather conditions, traffic, dust, moisture, debris and occasional loud construction noise.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture or a closely related field is required. Three years of professional engineering experience involving analyzing, interpreting and checking a variety of complex technical plans for structural engineering design, disabled accessibility, life and safety issues, specifications, mathematical computations or studies of a specialized nature for compliance with state and local building, and safety codes and ordinances is required.

A valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

Registration in the State of California by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists as a Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer or a California licensed architect is required. 

Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Certification as a Plans Examiner is required within one year of appointment to this classification. 

Ability to work extended hours in order to complete projects, attend meetings, and accommodate city needs.

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner. 

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans with Disabilities: 

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources.  If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting:

Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination:  

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

Salary : $112,008 - $135,678