Plans Examiner

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, performs technical and enforcement duties through the review of residential and commercial construction documents to ensure enforcement of and compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Industrialized Building and Manufactured Home Safety Regulations, Virginia Amusement Device Regulations and Flood Proofing and Elevation (FEMA) regulations. This position reports to the Assistant Building Official. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Examine commercial and residential construction drawings and specifications to verify compliance with all applicable state and local codes; and note discrepancies and inform the architect, engineer, or developer in writing, listing the discrepancies and the applicable code sections.

Calculate building square footage and permit fees; and issue building, electrical, plumbing mechanical permits verifying the address and zoning on site plan, payment of public utility fees, and City business licenses.  

Meet with architects, engineers, or contractors in the office to review preliminary plans for compliance with codes and discuss City policies and review processes.   Handle calls from architects, engineers, contractors, and homeowners providing code interpretations and general information concerning building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and accessibility requirements. 

Assist building inspectors by supplying information or solving construction site problems. 

Receives inspection requests and citizen complaints, via telephone.

Update plans review letter to reflect any changes; and prepare necessary written correspondence in response to memos, letters, and telephone conversations. 

Interprets and enforces the Virginia USBC to ensure compliance and consistent inspection practices.

Provide information to contractors, architects, and homeowners at the counter prior to issuance of the applicable permit. 

File plans; maintain log of building plan status; and purge files of duplicate or outdated plans and specifications in order to keep plan room current. 

Approve electrical reconnects. 

Attend building code meetings as a departmental representative providing input from our City while staying abreast of developments in other cities concerning building codes; and attend departmental meetings as a representative to provide input relating to building codes. 

Attend ICC sponsored seminars as well as others in order to stay current with code changes.

Conducts research and prepares correspondence and reports to provide information for effective management decisions.

Performs routine and non-routine inspections of various properties; inspects properties owned by the City for violations of the building code; completes appropriate paperwork; performs electrical, plumbing, building and mechanical inspections of commercial and residential properties; addresses building code inquiries.

Assists Permit Technicians in the issuance of permits upon approvals by reviewing departments and changes current assignments, when necessary.

Appears in court to provide expert testimony regarding building code interpretation and enforcement procedures, as necessary.

Delivers presentations to various committees, civic groups and organizations regarding building codes.

Serves as a member of various committees, panels, commissions, etc., attending meetings and providing input based on expertise and observations, as appropriate.

Performs damage assessment of existing buildings as part of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan or in case of emergency after hours and on weekends in an on call capacity.

Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on then current workloads and department needs.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Work:  Has considerable knowledge of the extensive inspection practices and procedures of the department.  Has considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing building safety and public safety.  Has considerable knowledge of the departmental procedures used to perform building inspections. Is able to perform building and other trade inspections. Is skilled in the use of a ruler, architects/engineering scale and various types of office equipment. Is skilled in the writing and review of technical reports. Is able to make effective oral and written presentations.  Is able to exercise independent judgement and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within division and department, and with the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, City policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the administrative, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests. 

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the division.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all division employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons in order to maintain good will within the City. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, the Director of Permits and Inspections, and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates an expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the City and various regulatory agencies.   Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

EDUCTION & EXPERIENCE

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Management, or a related field; 5 years progressively responsible work experience inspecting Building, Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing trade; or Master Tradesman License in Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing/gas fitting trade; or NICET III certification in fire protection systems; or any related experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

High school or GED plus five (5) years’ experience in positions which utilize the required knowledge, skills and abilities, and associated with positions such as plans examiner, building inspector, architect, engineer, senior draftsman, or construction superintendent; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Must obtain International Code Council and/or the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certification as a Residential and Commercial Building Plans Examiner  within 18 months of  hire and International Code Council and/or the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Residential and Commercial Building Inspector within 3 years of hire as a condition of employment.  Additional plans examiner certifications in other trade disciplines highly desirable.

Certification in Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study (FEMA IS) 100, 200, 700, 800 required within one year of hire.    

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery including computers, calculators and copiers, etc. Must be physically able to operate an automobile. Must be capable of pushing and pulling up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 10 lbs. of force constantly and/or a negligible amount of force constantly pounds of force frequently to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to enter crawl space foundations and attic spaces to perform inspections or other investigations.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors; giving instructions, assignment or directions to subordinates and advising the public on divisional policies.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of inspection reports, codes, policy manuals, guidelines, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, permits, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence. 

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, legal, mechanics and electrical terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs: perform calculations involving variables, formulas and square roots; performs calculations with a variety of theoretical mathematical concepts and makes original application of mathematical procedures.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to interpret zoning maps, architectural drawings, site plans, etc., to ensure the compliance to city policies; requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and inspection tools.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and inspection tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing form one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Work environment is not typically stressful. However it may become stressful when dealing with people who are under stress and multiple work functions.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Salary : $68,363 - $91,016