Building and Safety Engineer I/II/III*

San Bernardino County Fire Department; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

San Bernardino County Fire Department is seeking knowledgeable and detail-oriented Building and Safety Engineers to review and evaluate building plans for compliance with standards. The role is essential in safeguarding public health by ensuring that construction meets safety codes.

Engineers will provide guidance, prepare reports, and ensure compliance with California Building Codes. Ideal candidates will have an engineering degree and experience in land use or related fields, demonstrating strong analytical and collaborative skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledgeable in California Building Standards Codes and local regulations.
• Experience in reviewing building construction plans.
• Ability to provide technical guidance to various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze building plans and specifications.
• Ensure compliance with building codes and regulations.
• Prepare reports and technical recommendations.

Skills

Knowledge of California Building Standards Codes

Technical guidance

Attention to detail

Collaborative skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil, land use or environmental engineering

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) certification

Job description

The Job

The Land Use Services Department is seeking knowledgeable and detail-oriented Building and Safety Engineers who, under general direction, review and evaluate building construction plans and related documents to ensure compliance with applicable California Building Standards Codes, County ordinances, and other state and local regulations.

Building and Safety Engineers play a critical role in safeguarding public health and safety by ensuring that new construction, tenant improvements, and structural modifications meet current building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and accessibility standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and analyze building plans, structural calculations, specifications, and related documents for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
• Ensure compliance with the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Green Building, Energy Codes, as well as San Bernardino County ordinances and policies.
• Provide technical guidance to architects, engineers, contractors, and property owners regarding plan requirements and corrections.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and technical recommendations as required.

Official Job Titles

Engineer I, Engineer II, and Engineer III.

Benefits

To view job specific benefits, refer to Summary of Benefits and Memoranda of Understanding.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, candidate must undergo a background check, which includes fingerprinting and a medical exam.

Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation.

Physical Demands: Frequent sitting; occasional walking, standing, bending, squatting; fine manipulation in both hands; continuous reach or work below the shoulder level; visual acuity requirements; lifting or carrying up to ten pounds; work near equipment and machinery on uneven surfaces; exposure to dust, gas, toxic materials, noise, and temperature extremes as occurs; use of protective equipment or clothing as necessary.

Sponsorship: San Bernardino County cannot consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

Engineer I Minimum Requirements

• Education: 45 semester units (68 quarter units) in civil, land use, structural, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering, of which 35 semester units must be upper division.
• Experience: One year of professional experience working in land use, civil, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering.
• Substitution for Education: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) certification may substitute for the upper-division component; candidates must still meet the overall unit requirement.
• Substitution for Experience: Bachelor’s degree in land use, civil, environmental, or a closely related field OR four years of experience equivalent to an Engineering Technician may substitute for one year of the required engineer experience.

Engineer II Minimum Requirements

• Certification: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) certification.
• Education: 45 semester units (68 quarter units) in civil engineering or a closely related field. List of completed coursework required.
• Experience: Two years of professional experience working in land use, civil, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering.
• Substitution for Experience: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field OR four years of experience equivalent to an Engineering Technician may substitute for one year of the required engineer experience.

Engineer III Minimum Requirements

• License: Current status as a registered Professional Civil Engineer with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Education: 45 semester units (68 quarter units) in civil engineering or a closely related field. List of completed coursework required.
• Experience: Three years of professional experience working in land use, civil, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering.
• Substitution for Experience: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field OR four years of experience equivalent to an Engineering Technician may substitute for one year of the required engineer experience.

Candidates must provide a list of transcripts unless they possess a Bachelor's degree in a qualifying area. All documents should be uploaded upon completion of the application. Degrees or coursework completed outside the U.S. must be accompanied with an evaluation report from a reputable credential evaluation service demonstrating equivalency to degrees or coursework completed at a U.S.-accredited institution.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and analytical professional with strong technical expertise in building codes and plan review, demonstrating sound engineering judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to public safety and service excellence. A Bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited school in land use, civil, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering is highly desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline. Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy.