Plans Examiner

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB FUNCTION
Reviews and approves or modifies construction plans to ensure compliance with local and state building codes.
 
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
This is non-professional technical engineering work in the examination of building construction and renovation plans to ensure compliance with local and state building codes.  Work involves the review of building construction blueprints, plot plans, surveys, and sketches to determine whether such plans meet code requirements.  Employees exercise considerable independence of action and judgment for making decisions on the interpretation of established codes, regulations, and technical guidelines.  Work normally flows to the employee automatically but may be assigned by an administrative and/or technical superior.  Work is evaluated by direct observations, personal conferences, statistical reports of activities, and achievement of predefined individual performance objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and Tasks

• Examines commercial, business, and residential building plans, specifications, blueprints, surveys, and sketches for compliance with codes and regulations governing building construction, alteration and repair of buildings, and application of solar energy and environmental protection to structures.
• Recommends changes to plans as needed for compliance; rejects plans not meeting code requirements; authorizes a continuance of construction plans by affixing signature on the plans representing an official approval.
• Makes site visits to construction sites to validate plans review decisions, or amend actions taken.
• Meets with and/or corresponds with building contractors, engineers, property owners, and other interested parties to provide or receive information, explain and interpret building codes and regulations, and provides guidelines on the application and/or appeals process.
• Prepares and maintains official records including reports of activities.
• Prepares commercial permit fees.

 
RECRUITMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
 

• Thorough knowledge of the materials, methods and practices used in building construction including those of an electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or heating and ventilation nature and/or those relating to environmental protection or solar energy nature.
• Considerable knowledge of local, State and national building codes.
• Knowledge of communication techniques required for the nature of the work performed.
• Ability to set and follow effective work priorities and procedures.
• Ability to function independently or as a member of a cross-disciplinary team in the inspections processes.
• Ability to comply with work standards.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems related to the nature of the work performed.
• Ability to serve as a technical or procedural resource in the plans examination process.
• Ability to interpret and analyze plan discrepancies and recommend alternatives for compliance that meets objectives of plans presenters and County regulations.
• Ability to research, summarize, and report on narrative and statistical data.
• Ability to schedule and coordinate a variety of appointments, meetings, and conferences.
• Ability to draft correspondence or reports for public review.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret construction plans, plot plans and specifications, surveys and sketches, and blueprints.
• Ability to explain and enforce codes and regulations.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion when communicating with building contractors, engineers, property owners, and other interested parties in the plans examination process.
• Ability to present ideas and decisions clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with the public, peers, elected and appointed officials, and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of socioeconomic background.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Training
Associates Degree (2 years) in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or other field of study related to the nature of the work; 

OR

High School Diploma or GED and three years of code application in the building trades field such as mechanical, electrical, or general contracting, or as a building trades inspector or code specialist with an architectural or engineering firm.
 
Necessary Special Requirement
Certified by the State of North Carolina as either a Plans Examiner, Building Inspector Level III, or Building Inspector Level II, or Building Inspector Level I. Valid Driver's License without restrictions that would limit the full performance of the essential duties.

Transcript Required
Copy of transcripts must be submitted with online application. Official college transcripts required at time of hire. Please send transcripts to:

Guilford County/HR c/o
Albert Parks III, 201 South Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401 or attach a copy to your online application.
 

Physical Demands
An employee in this position must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, walking, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.  Additionally, the employee must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift objects, climb terrain or uneven ground, climb stairwells, crawl in tight or cramped spaces, and work in a variety of weather environments.  The employee must possess the visual acuity and mental concentration to work with data and figures, examine technical plans, and interpret plan specifications to approved code requirements.

Work Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting.  Fieldwork encompasses less than 25% of the work time.  In such fieldwork, the employee may be exposed to temperatures lower than 32 degrees and/or higher than 100 degrees.  Routine safety precautions are provided such as hard hats, ear plugs, and shelter from inclement weather.

Driving is Essential
Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business.  Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.
 

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements.  However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position.  Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process.  They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.

Salary : $63,256 - $75,908