Summary
Under the general supervision of the Building Official, the Plans Examiner reviews building plans and specifications to ensure compliance with City adopted building codes and zoning ordinances, and the ability to apply these in the plan review process. Employees in this class possess considerable knowledge of building construction methods, materials, and principles, as well as applicable municipal, state and federal regulatory practices.
Essential Job Functions & Other Important Duties
- Reviews residential and small commercial plans by distributing plans to the appropriate departments for additional review, ensuring code compliance in architectural, structural, plumbing HVAC, electrical and landscaping drawings, coordinating activities with architects and engineers to verify zoning codes and issuing building permits;
- Provides customer assistance by communicating with architects, engineers, and contractors, responding to questions concerning building, zoning, and other codes, assisting other employees, answering the telephone, handling difficult phone calls, assisting customers when short-staffed, and assessing and resolving complaints;
- Educates developers, architects, engineers and citizens of building codes and ordinances by responding to questions and inquiries;
- Assists with preparation and facilitation for Board of Adjustment meetings; and preparation of council agenda materials for front yard fence variances.
- Attends and facilitates Building Inspections predevelopment and preconstruction meetings.
- Reviews all site plans, plats, and zoning cases and attends development review meetings.
- Provides departmental support by creating, updating, and maintaining reference materials, manuals, and other applicable files;
- Assist with resolving lot grading and drainage issues and reviewing and issuing sea wall permits;
- Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;
(Note: The examples of essential functions as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.)
Job Requirements
Knowledge:
- Thorough knowledge of the materials, methods, and practices involved in building and structural construction, to include plumbing, mechanical, and electrical aspects.
- Skill in both written and oral communications for effective expression of concepts and clarity in information dissemination.
- Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures with particular attention to codes and ordinances.
- Project management methods, knowledge of plan review principles, practices, and techniques.
- Knowledge of the International Residential Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, National Electrical Code, and International Energy Conservation Code and the ability to readily acquire such knowledge.
- Methods and techniques of building plan review.
Skills:
- Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, support staff, co-workers, the public, developers, consultants and outside agencies.
- Ability to read and interpret plans, diagrams, specifications, and related forms of architectural design, and to recognize deviations from such plans in the construction process.
- Ability to organize and review work for efficient results and accuracy.
- Ability to enforce codes and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in both routine and non-routine situations.
- Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
- Analyzing, interpreting and checking complex plans and specifications for applicable code compliance.
- Reading and understanding City, State and Federal rules and regulations.
- Working effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
Special Requirements:
- ICC Building Plans Examiner Certification, or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of employment.
- Other ICC Certifications (Building Inspector, ICC Electrical Inspector – Residential and Commercial, or Mechanical Inspector) desired.
- Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver’s license.
Supplemental Information:
General Supervision: Work is normally reviewed upon completion, with occasional spot checks while in process, to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to established standards; autonomy is granted at the service or program level; work is subject to general and departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Some tasks are essentially sedentary, with occasional walking, bending, light lifting, or other restricted physical activities
- Some tasks involve some physical effort, i.e., some standing and walking, or frequent light lifting (5-10 pounds); or minimal dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body.
