Demo

Plans Examiner

City of Duluth Minnesota
Duluth, MN Full Time
POSTED ON 3/3/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/1/2025

Job Posting Information

SUMMARY/PURPOSE
Under the authority of Minnesota State Statute and the City of Duluth Building Official, protect the community, first responders, and property from hazard, injury, and destruction by overseeing design of construction in the City of Duluth through review of applications and construction documents for all construction work, ensuring compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code. Provide code-related professional and technical expertise to the Construction Services & Inspections team, contractors, architects, engineers, drafters, and others.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The supervisor provides continuing or individual assignments by indicating generally what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines, and priority of assignments. The supervisor provides additional, specific instructions for new, difficult, or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods or advice on source material available.

SUPERVISION GIVEN
Does not supervise.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

1. Review all types of construction documents (such as site, civil, architectural, and structural plans, geotechnical reports, specifications, and calculations) prepared by architects, engineers, contractors, and owners to ensure compliance with building codes, ordinances, statutes, and life safety regulations.
2. Identify aspects of plans that do not comply with the required codes and standards, and communicate code requirements to architects, engineers, contractors, and owners for correction.
3. Compose plan review comment letters documenting non-compliances, requesting corrections, and obtaining all necessary information for a complete, accurate, compliant set of construction documents to be used for construction.
4. Compile complete construction documents to be used by inspectors to ensure construction complies with codes and standards.
5. Interpret and explain code requirements to inspectors and provide them with technical support to resolve field related code issues.
6. Perform field inspections to observe site conditions and provide guidance to inspectors, contractors, architects, engineers, and others in problem-solving during construction.
7. Advise design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors, etc.) developers, contractors, drafters, inspectors, homeowners, and others regarding how designs comply with applicable codes and standards.
8. Accurately identify deficiencies in critical aspects of the life safety requirements in buildings of all construction types, heights, areas, and occupancies, and any combination thereof, and verify that engineers and architects have used appropriate criteria for building design.
9. Serve as a technical expert, conduct presentations, and provide information to other City divisions, contractors, engineers, architects, and the public regarding codes, ordinances, and proper methods governing building design and construction work.
10. Assist homeowners, designers, and contractors in mitigating risk at the work site by advising them of precautionary, safety, and fire prevention methods that may be employed during the construction phase of the work, and compile informational handouts on commonly asked questions regarding building codes and ordinances and plan submittal requirements.
11. Research regulations, codes, and standards, and construction methods and materials to determine code compliance and for consideration by the Building Official as permitted alternate materials, methods, and modifications.
12. Interpret, explain, and enforce provisions of the building code, fire code, and other laws and regulations related to the construction of buildings.
13. Communicate effectively to explain complex technical requirements to constituents with all levels of experience, translating code language to common language.
14. Organize and lead pre-plan-review meetings with architects, engineers, developers, and others to discuss projects in the design phase and provide preliminary feedback.
15. Through discussion and research, ascertain existing and/or proposed use, purpose, existing conditions, and occupancy classification of buildings and spaces to determine code requirements.
16. Maintain complete and accurate files, paper or digital, of plan reviews, approvals, meeting notes and correspondence in CSI division records, including permitting and plan review software.
17. Perform math computations to determine code requirements for structural and other components of construction, and determine whether designs comply with applicable regulations.
18. Review plans for buildings and structures which incorporate routine to complex architectural and structural concepts in their design.
19. Review new legislation regarding building codes, ordinances, and regulations, and attend and participate in workshops, meetings, seminars, and/or training opportunities regarding certification, to acquire current industry knowledge, and to maintain current knowledge.
20. Coordinate approval process of building or remodeling plan review with appropriate inspection units including construction, electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation.
21. As a delegate of the Building Official, regularly exercise thoughtful independent judgment and decision-making in keeping with Building Official policy and interpretation.
22. Perform public outreach in the form of targeted events that serve to educate design professionals, contractors, and/or the general public about various building code topics, as well as permitting and review processes geared towards facilitating successful building projects.
23. Be an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines.
24. Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience Requirements
A. A minimum of six (6) years of related education and/or professional experience working with codes in construction, plan review, or building design, OR; three (3) years of experience working in the City of Duluth as a Construction Inspector or Permit Coordinator. An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

License Requirements
A. Must obtain certification as a Plans Examiner from a nationally recognized code agency within two (2) years of appointment.

Selection Process Information

Education/Experience Review (100% of scoring process; 70 pass point): Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be rated based on the type (relatedness) and extent of their education and experience as documented on their application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass this exam will have their names placed on an eligible list for this classification.

Non-Discrimination
The City of Duluth is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Alternative Exam Process (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
For individuals who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alternative examination processes are available on an individual basis upon prior arrangement. Contact Human Resources at 218-730-5210, as soon as possible prior to the scheduled date of the exam. TDD services are available through 218-730-5630.

Work Eligibility
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Duluth requires verification of identity and work eligibility at the point of hire.

Right to Appeal (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
Any applicant who has been found qualified to participate in a selection process for a position in the classified service who has reason to contest the validity or fairness of any step in the selection process may appeal to the Civil Service Board within 10 calendar days of the examination. (If the examination is an Education/Experience Review, the applicant must appeal within 10 calendar days of the closing date for accepting applications.) The notice of appeal shall be in writing, shall contain a complete statement of the matter in controversy and the relief requested, and shall be signed and dated by the appellant. The notice shall be addressed to the Civil Service Board and be delivered to the Human Resources Office. If an applicant wishes to file an appeal electronically, the notice should be sent by email to hrinformation@duluthmn.gov.


VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, seasonal, temporary, or part-time non-union selections



OPEN SELECTIONS
If claiming veteran's preference, please attach to your application (via file upload) a copy of all documents required for the option that applies to you:

Veteran
1.) "Member Copy 4" DD214 or DD215 indicating an honorable discharge.

Disabled Veteran
1.) "Member Copy 4" DD214 or DD215 indicating an honorable discharge;
2.) FL-802, FL 21-802, or letter of disability or equivalent from USDVA Board's written decision of a compensation rating of 10% or greater, dated within 12 months.

Spouse of Disabled Veteran
1.) Copy of Marriage Certificate;
2.) "Member Copy 4" DD214 or DD215 indicating an honorable discharge;
3.) FL-802, FL 21-802, or letter of disability or equivalent from USDVA Board's written decision of a compensation rating of 10% or greater, dated within 12 months. (Eligible only if the veteran is unable to qualify for the specific position being applied for as a result of the service-connected disability.)

Spouse of Deceased Veteran
1.) Copy of Marriage Certificate;
2.) Death Certificate or other proof of death;
3.) "Member Copy 4" DD214 or DD215 indicating an honorable discharge. If Disabled Veteran, also include
4.) FL-802, FL 21-802, or letter of disability or equivalent from USDVA Board's written decision of a compensation rating of 10% or greater, dated within 12 months. (Eligible only if applicant has not remarried and the veteran died during active duty or as a result of an injury received from active duty.)

Preference points will be added to Veteran, Spouse of Disabled or Deceased Veteran, or Disabled Veteran's score only if the applicant successfully completes all phases of the exam process and Human Resources has received all supporting documentation.



PROMOTIONAL OR INTERNAL SELECTIONS
If claiming veteran's preference, please attach to your application (via file upload) a copy of the documents listed below:

Disabled Veteran
1.) "Member Copy 4" DD214 or DD215 indicating an honorable discharge;
2.) FL-802, FL 21-802, or letter of disability or equivalent from USDVA Board's written decision of a compensation rating of 50% or greater, dated within 12 months.

Preference points will be awarded to Disabled Veteran's score one time, on first promotional or internal only selection process after securing City employment, and only if the applicant successfully completes all phases of the exam process and Human Resources has received all supporting documentation.



Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional information about Veteran's Preference.


Eligible City of Duluth employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

  • Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Medical Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Training and Advancement Opportunities
  • Employee Wellness Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.

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