Senior Plans Examiner

The current vacancy for Senior Plans Examiner in the Planning and Community Development Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Senior Plans Examiner vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

This position may offer the flexibility to work remotely from any location within California, subject to approval. The successful candidate will be required to adhere to the City of Santa Cruz's Remote Work policy. Please note that California law mandates all public employees to serve as Disaster Service Workers during emergencies, which may necessitate all employees to respond to emergencies and may require reporting to a designated work location within the jurisdiction of the City of Santa Cruz on short notice. 

Under direction, the Senior Plans Examiner performs a variety of plan review services and assists in organizing and directing division plan review activities; performs plan review of submitted plans and supporting documents for compliance which may include more complex construction development projects; coordinates building permit and plan review service activities with other city departments and customers. May be required to assist inspection staff in performing and approving plans.

CANDIDATE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
 

• On Thursday, 03/27/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.  To apply, submit: 

1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. 
• Week of 03/31/25: Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.  

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.) 

• Reviews and examines construction plans and specifications for residential, commercial, industrial, public works projects or other major developments for compliance with currently adopted CA Building Standards Code, state legislation and city ordinances. 
• Develops schedules and recommends methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Coordinates with Green Building Specialist verifying compliance with the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Program and CAL Green requirements and specifications. 
• Assists permit applicants by fully participating and being proactive in the solution process of changes, such as alternate materials and methods and/or modifications; verifies that all submitted plans and documents are in compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, state legislation and standards. Provides assistance to all building staff to maintain consistent application of code provisions, policies and procedures, and advises on work assignments and challenges. 
• Research and implementation of new and revised construction methods,  materials, and processes. 
• Updates and maintains technical manuals and publications. 
• Provides technical support to city departments related to construction, energy and green building projects. 
• Provides technical information to the public on code compliance and design requirements, and on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures; answers inquiries from the public relating to regulations for building and housing construction, remodeling and repair, including structural, non-structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and other code related questions.  
• Provides preliminary reviews of planning projects for initial compliance with building standards, codes, local building ordinances, and state legislation; prepares clear and concise reports, coordinates with other city departments, design professionals and applicants. 
• Monitors and coordinates plan review services activities from permit application to issuance. 
• Maintains records, prepares a variety of reports, and makes estimates of a specialized nature in connection with various building projects.  
• Provides technical support, receives permit application reviews for code compliance and occasionally issues permits at the public counter. 
• May occasionally perform field inspections.  
• Provides technical support to code enforcement staff when needed.  
• Inputs, accesses, and analyzes data in the computer. Proactive in the use and development of the city’s permit tracking system and permit archiving program. 
• May assist Building Official in division operations as assigned. 
• Provides informal training exercises and leads staff.  
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and stooping and reaching in the performance of daily activities. The position may also work on slippery, uneven surfaces. The position requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The position also requires acute near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents and in the performance of daily duties. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The incumbent may perform work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The need to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations. 

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following: 

Education and Experience 

• High School diploma or tested equivalent and, 
• Two (2) years of college with a building inspection/construction technology related emphasis and, 
• Two (2) years of experience as a journey level plans examiner with a jurisdiction or private consulting firm. 

OR, 

• High School diploma or tested equivalent and, 
• Four (4) years of journey level experience in the field of construction, design and/or inspection trades and, 
• Two (2) years of experience as a journey level plans examiner with a jurisdiction or private consulting firm. 

Knowledge: 

• Current plan check methods, practices and procedures. 
• Federal, state and locally adopted codes, legislation, regulations governing housing, building construction processes, rehabilitation, alteration, use and occupancy. 
• Effective use of the California Building Standards Code. 
• Building materials, construction methods, fire resistive construction, electrical installation and repair, plumbing and mechanical methods and materials. 
• Effective combination building inspection requirements and procedures. 
• Blueprint reading and terminology used in determining compliance of building plans and specifications. 
• Safe work practices and procedures. 
• Legal procedures involved in the administration of codes, ordinances, and state legislation and laws. 
• Basic computer applications, including Word, Excel, Acrobat and/or Bluebeam Revu. 
• Proficient use of the English language, correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. 

 

Abilities: 

• Being thorough and accurate during the review of plans and construction documents for compliance with applicable building standards code, city ordinances, including the city green building program. 
• Read and interpret construction plans, notes, symbols, specifications, legal property descriptions, coordinate plan review requirements and processes with applicants. 
• Learn, interpret, apply, and explain established City policies, procedures and codes. 
• Become proficient with and effectively administer Title 18 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code. 
• Write clear, cohesive, comprehensive reports and correspondence on administrative and technical issues. 
• Proficiently navigate the codes, locating requirements and conducting associated research. 
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex governmental regulations. 
• Establish and maintain accurate records.  
• Become proficient in operating the city permit tracking system. 
• Understand complex mathematical formulas.  
• Able to determine complete structural load path and apply analysis using recognized methods and standards. 
• Set priorities, meet deadlines, and make sound decisions. 
• Communicate in a courteous and effective manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees and the general public, including property owners, contractors, architects and engineers. 
• Assist in training and evaluation of assigned staff. 
• Demonstrate an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective customer service attitude. 
• Safely drive city vehicles. 

Licenses and Certificates 

• Possession and continued maintenance of the following certifications – 

• International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner or, 
• International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO Legacy) Building Plans Examiner  

• Must possess one (1) ICC commercial certification from the following within one year from date of hire; 
  • Electrical Plans Examiner 
  • Mechanical Plans Examiner 

• Electrical Inspector 
• Mechanical Inspector 
• Plumbing Inspector 

                       or 

           Department of State Architects (DSA) 

• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) 

• Must possess a second certification, unrelated by trade, from the above list within 18 months from date of hire. 

Other equivalent certification combinations may be considered acceptable upon approval by the Chief Building Official. 

• Chief Building Official 

• Deputy Building Official 
• Supervising Plans Examiner 
• Senior Plans Examiner 
• Assistant Plans Examiner 
• Planning & Community Development Technician 

Salary : $88,752 - $124,884