Building Plans Reviewer I-II

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. full-benefits
 
This technical position will apply and implement building, accessibility, fire and life safety codes, and other applicable codes and standards.  Direction may be given to plan review and inspection staff; Supervision is received from the Manager of the Office of Life Safety and Plan Review Services.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions.  For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy.
 

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
 

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

• Enforce County and State Fire Code and Building Code regulations by reviewing and evaluating construction documents and plan submittals
• Review drawings, submittals and specifications of buildings, fire protection systems and equipment in accordance with local and State codes
• Review site plans and building construction documents and submittals to determine compliance with applicable life safety, accessibility, and building codes
• Provide support to other plan review staff and inspection staff regarding plan review
• Compose and issue plan review comments and meet with architects, designers, and others to clarify code compliance requirements
• As needed, perform on-site inspections at in-progress construction sites to verify full compliance with life safety and building code requirement 
• Participate in training sessions related to life safety and building issues to keep abreast of current practices
• Compile and prepare formal reports, memos, letters and other technical documents
• Research, interpret and utilize codes and respond to applicants, designers, builders, and general public
• Perform other duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

Building Plans Reviewer I - Residential requirements ($31.49 - $50.39):

• Associate’s degree
• Minimum 4 years of work experience reviewing plans or performing inspections for compliance with life safety codes or building codes
• Possession of the following current certifications issued by International Code Council (ICC) or a comparable certification body, or ability to successfully obtain these certifications within the time specified and to maintain them thereafter:

• ICC Certified Residential Inspector – within 12 months after hire
• ICC Certified Residential Plans Examiner – within 18 months after hire 

• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license
• NOTE: Additional related work experience may reduce the education requirement; possession of industry related certifications may reduce the education requirement and/or work experience requirement

Building Plans Reviewer II – Commercial requirements ($33.69 - $53.91):

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 4 years of work experience reviewing plans or performing inspections for compliance with life safety codes or building codes  
• Possession of the following current certifications issued by International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or a comparable certification body, or ability to successfully obtain these certifications within the time specified and to maintain them thereafter:
  • ICC Building Plans Examiner - within 12 months after hire
  • ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner – within 18 months of hire
  • ICC Residential Plans Examiner – within 18 months of hire
  • NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE) – within 24 months of hire
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license
• NOTE: Additional related work experience may reduce the education requirement; possession of industry related certifications may reduce the education requirement and/or work experience requirement

NOTE: Placement into a I, or II position level is based upon such qualifications as education, work experience, and relevant certification.  The upper pay ranges reflect possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions.  For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy. 

KNOWLEDE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Extensive knowledge and experience with building and accessibility codes including IBC, IECC, and Maryland Accessibility Code 
• Extensive knowledge and experience with life safety codes and ordinances etc. with ability to effectively interpret and apply appropriate regulations
• Working knowledge of building construction materials and methods
• Ability to effectively read and interpret architectural drawings, plans, specifications and site plans quickly and accurately, compare them to construction in process and perform building plan reviews
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports, investigative findings, correspondence, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships demonstrating tact and diplomacy in all situations with co-workers, contractors, other business professionals and the general public

 PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience enforcing ICC, NFPA standards, and fire safety regulations
• Experience performing inspections for compliance with the International Residential Building Code (IRC)
• Possession of any certification as indicated above
• Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Fire Science or Construction Management or a related field 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly reach and perform repetitive motions; frequently sit; occasionally walk, lift up to 20 pounds and drive; and rarely climb, stoop, crawl, lift up to 50 pounds, and push and pull up to 40 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground, work in hot temperatures above 100 degrees and cold temperatures below 32 degrees, work in a dirty, dusty and noisy environment, work near machinery and chemicals / fumes, and is required to wear protective equipment
• Physical requirements include the ability to perform on-site inspections of buildings and construction sites during various stages of construction and in any weather conditions, which may require walking/climbing/descending in structures under construction and/or renovation

• Available for varied working hours as needed
• An employee of the Department of Permits and Inspections may not (1) hold an active Appraisers, Appraisal Management, Home Inspector, Electrical, Elevator Safety, HVACR, Home Improvement, Plumbing, or other contractor related license issued by the Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing’s office; (2) hold an active Home Builder license issued by the Maryland Home Builder Registration Unit, Maryland Attorney General’s Office; (3) have any interest, directly or indirectly, with a business corporation that does business in Frederick County. 
   

 EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
 1) An evaluation of training and experience                    
 2) A written and/or performance examination
 3) One or more interviews
 

Salary : $31 - $54