Associate Plan Check Engineer

County of Santa Clara; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara's Department of Planning and Development seeks an Associate Plan Check Engineer to review building plans for permits and ensure compliance with codes, laws, and industry practices. The role emphasizes structural design knowledge and code application to achieve safety and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities include plan reviews for commercial, residential, and educational structures, providing guidance to architects and engineers, performing site observations, and staying

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Four years of full-time professional engineering experience in building review/design/inspection.
• Current registration/licensure as a civil or structural engineer with the California State Board.
• Must obtain building plans examiner certification within two years of appointment.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations as part of the job.

Responsibilities

• Reviews applications and permits for commercial, public, educational, or residential structures.
• Reviews, checks, and approves plans for construction or alteration to ensure code compliance.
• Performs independent analyses to justify adequacy and safety of proposed designs.
• Answers questions to architects, engineers, contractors, and owners regarding construction requirements.
• Performs site observations of construction to verify compliance with building codes.
• Prepares reports and correspondence on structural engineering problems and code compliance.

Skills

Building plan examination knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Four (4) years of professional engineering experience

Job description

Under general supervision, to examine building plans submitted for building permits and to ensure compliance with applicable codes, laws, regulations, and industry standard engineering practices.

The Department of Planning and Development is hiring for an Associate Plan Check Engineer. Candidates with extensive experience in building structural design and application of various codes and requirements to achieve compliance standards are highly desirable.

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Reviews applications and permits issued for commercial, public, educational, or residential structures and developments;

• Reviews, checks, and approves plans for the construction or alteration of industrial, commercial, educational, and residential structures to determine compliance with applicable codes, laws, and regulations;

• Makes independent analyses, when required, to justify the adequacy and safety of proposed designs;

• Answers questions and gives instructions to architects, engineers, contractors, and owners regarding construction and design requirements, application of various codes, and requirements to achieve compliance standards;

• Performs regular public counter functions, as needed;

• May calculate valuations and fees;

• May issue permits after plan review approval;

• Assists and provides guidance to Building Inspectors and other office staff on engineering, structural, and plan checking issues;

• May perform site observations of residential and non-residential construction to ensure compliance with all building codes and local ordinances;

• Prepares reports and correspondence pertaining to structural engineering problems and building code compliance;

• Prepares, establishes, and maintains up-to-date files on codes and amendments;

• Stays abreast of new county ordinances and building construction methods, materials, and requirements;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, or a related field;

and

Four (4) years of full-time professional engineering experience in building review, design, construction, and/or inspection.

Special Requirements

• Current registration/licensure as a civil or structural engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

• Must obtain required building plans examiner certification per California Health and Safety Code within two years of appointment.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• * As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Proper techniques for building plan examination;

• Engineering annotation symbols;

• Civil engineering principles as they pertain to building construction;

• The means, methods, materials and equipment used in building construction;

• Structural engineering principles and practices as applied to building design and construction;

• Applicable Federal, State, and County laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing building construction;

• Forms, permits, plans, and specifications used in a building inspection and code enforcement program;

• Report writing techniques;

• Project management principles, practices, and common procedures;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret building plans, specifications, codes, and construction documents;

• Review site plans and architectural designs for methods of construction (for compliance with requirements);

• Observe construction for adherence to code requirements;

• Make structural calculations necessary to determine the adherence of structural plans to code requirements; advise on accepted construction methods and requirements;

• Communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Write technical correspondence and reports;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;

• Exercise good judgement.