Plans Examiner

Salary : $31.54 - $34.35 Hourly

Location : City of Sioux Falls, SD

Job Type : General AFSCME

Job Number : 202500045

Department : Planning & Development Services

Opening Date : 03 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 17 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Central

Job Summary

The City of Sioux Falls Building Services Department is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Fire Plans Examiner. The primary responsibilities of this position are to conduct plan reviews for fire code compliance including fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire communications, signage, egress, and life safety. Other duties will be to receive applications and issue fire related permits, review zoning and platting submittals, and to coordinate fire inspections with our permit technicians and fire department inspectors. This position will be under the dual authority of the building department and the fire marshal.

Job Responsibilities

1. Perform residential, commercial, and industrial plan reviews and prepare the necessary reports to ensure compliance with construction and fire codes and regulations by reviewing fire suppression, fire alarm, and other required systems for use and occupancy classification, types of construction, establishing maximum areas, ensuring all other required fire and life safety systems meet current codes and standards, determine if a building or area is a hazardous occupancy, height limitations, proper yardage, and fire-resistive construction.

2. Issue permits for building construction, fire and life safety systems, and life-safety standby.

3. Assist design professionals, contractors, and the general public with issues concerning permit requirements, code requirements, licensing requirements, and department policies and procedures.

4. Consult with field inspectors and design professionals on proposed construction projects and during the construction phases.

5. Consult and coordinate plan reviews with other departments before permit issuance.

6. Recommend amendments to the International Fire Code, International Building Code, International Existing Building Code and other adopted ordinances of the City of Sioux Falls.

7. Maintain commercial and residential plan and specification files.

8. Consult with Fire, Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Inspectors on construction projects regarding code requirements. Receive and schedule requests for inspections by property owners and contractors. Perform occasional field inspections.

9. Prepare and maintain fire code specification handbook and website information.

10. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED certification with a minimum of five (5) years' experience in one or more of the following areas : building design (including interpreting building codes), construction or inspection, municipal code enforcement, and / or plan review; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Two (2) years of college or university study with major course work in architecture or engineering is desirable.

International Code Council Fire Sprinkler Plans Examiner certification is desirable.

Must possess certification as a Building Plans Examiner or an approved certification through the International Code Council within one year (12 months) of hire.

Must possess certification as a National Fire Protection Association, or International Code Council Fire Plans Examiner within one year (12 months) of hire for Fire Plans review assignment.

Supplemental Information

• A thorough knowledge of the most current International Fire Code and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards
• A general knowledge and understanding of related construction disciplines and / or a general knowledge of the governing International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, and ICC ANSI A117.1, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, promulgated by the International Code Council, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
• Knowledge of City ordinances regulating development, construction, and the licensing of construction trades.
• Knowledge of methods, practices, and limitations of materials, structural design, disability accessibility standards, fire protection systems, fire-resistance-rated construction, and means of egress provisions used in modern residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
• Knowledge and skill in structural engineering mathematical computations.
• Strong analytical and thinking skills and the ability to see possible options and alternative designs to solve problems.
• Ability to analyze tests and other data on building material assemblies from nationally recognized standards and testing agencies.
• Ability to read architectural and engineering plans and recognize inadequate or incorrect construction designs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to utilize PDF editing software to annotate review plans in the course of doing plan reviews.

The City of Sioux Falls takes pride in being an Employer of Choice including our Culture, Values, and Compensation and Benefits. Apply today to become part of ONE Team and help us take care of today for a better tomorrow!

Salary : $32 - $34