PLANS EXAMINER

JOB SUMMARY:
This individual is a highly skilled and advisory technical plan reviewer, interpreting and enforcing City building and related codes, laws, ordinances and statutes to ensure compliance for a variety of building plans which are submitted to the City for a building permit. Individual will work independently and is responsible for making decisions requiring technical discretion and sound judgment to interpret the codes. Work assignments range from simple additions to technically complex commercial and industrial construction. Work requires considerable exercise of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following: Other duties may be assigned. Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times.

• Reviews building plans and specifications for all proposed new, repair or additions for non-single family/duplex buildings for compliance with the City of Fort Smith construction Codes, Life Safety Codes, Zoning Codes and related City & State laws.
• Determines any special modifications and classifications for buildings where hazardous chemical or industrial processes will exist.
• Reviews and approves structural systems, including foundation design, bearing capabilities of soil, floor load limits, wind loads, snow loads and structural integrity.
• Reviews for health and safety features, including exit stairs, exit and emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, occupant loads, sprinkler and standpipe systems, smoke removal, tenant separation, etc.
• Prepares reports for the Director of Building Services or Plans Manager regarding code discrepancies or violations found in construction plans and specifications, building materials and methods of construction.
• Determines disabled accommodation standards applicable to each construction project complies with the Building Code and applicable accessibility standards.
• Assembles review comments from each city department for each plan submitted; prepares a summary report detailing corrections to be made to the plans or other action necessary prior to the issuance of a building permit and then communicates the review comments to the applicant.
• Consults with architects, engineers, contractors, builders, owners and others to discuss design, material standards and construction methods; suggests possible alternatives where problems occur.
• Coordinate with other staff persons of various departments concerning matters of interpretation about codes and construction standards.
• Assists the inspectors with field decisions concerning non-residential construction. May be required to conduct some building inspections.
• Issues permits in the absence of the Permit Officer.
• Attend design meetings requested by designers, owners and city staff as required.
• Prepare various monthly building permit reports and distribute to contacts.
• Assist staff in the concerns over reviewed and permitted plans if interpretations of information is needed.
• Maintain permit system software and programming.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School Graduate or GED
• Four (4) years of experience as a building inspector, engineer, architect or as a superintendent or foreman in the design, inspection or plan review of commercial and/or industrial building construction;
• OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• The applicant must be capable of obtaining a certification as a Building Plans Examiner or the ability to complete certification within the first year of employment.
• Proficient in the reading and interpretation of construction plans and specifications and have the ability to read and interpret building codes and recognize code violations and construction defects on construction plans

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some College

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• The incumbent should possess excellent verbal and written communications skills as well as good organizational skills.
• Problem solving and analytical ability are required to perform the duties of this position.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.
• A high level of accuracy is required to perform the duties of this position.
• The incumbent should have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Must be proficient in the reading and interpretation of building codes for the designing and production of construction documents for a wide variety of buildings.
• Must also be proficient in the use of a personal computer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Occasionally sit; use hands to handle objects and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must also climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance and peripheral vision. Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also required.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, wet/humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate