Building & Fire Plans Examiner Senior

Town of Gilbert; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Gilbert is seeking a highly motivated professional for the Building & Fire Plans Examiner Senior role. This full-time, non-exempt position offers overtime eligibility and internal growth opportunities.

You will review complex commercial, industrial, and residential plans for compliance, mentor other examiners, and manage projects from permit intake to final inspection using the town’s tracking system. A pre-employment background check and drug screen apply.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
• Up to one year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Building Construction, Engineering, Fire Science, Environmental, Architecture, Blueprint Reading, Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing.
• 4-5 years of experience within a building, engineering, or planning environment using computer aided or pencil drafted construction drawing, distributing and organizing construction plans and documents, inspecting construction sites, reviewing construction drawings, and providing guidance and approval of construction office/field projects.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job classification.
• Valid AZ Driver's License.
• Building: Three (3) ICC (or equivalent) certifications, one of which must be the Commercial Building Plans Examiner certification (the other two may be residential or commercial, plan review or inspection categories).
• Fire: Three (3) ICC (or equivalent) certifications, one of which must be the Fire Plans Examiner certification (the other two may be residential or commercial, plan review or inspection categories).

Responsibilities

• Reviewing complex, high-profile, or time-sensitive building and fire plans for compliance with Town codes and standards.
• Serving as a technical resource and mentor to other plans examiners.
• Managing plan review projects from permit application through final inspection.
• Providing expert information and technical assistance to developers, contractors, and the public.
• Preparing review comment letters, forms, reports, and maintaining project records.

Skills

Plan review

Mentoring

Communication

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Equivalent education/training/experience

Job description

Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Building & Fire Plans Examiner Senior. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.

The Building & Fire Plans Examiner Senior reports to the Plans Review Supervisor. The primary functions of this position include:

• Reviewing complex, high-profile, or time-sensitive commercial, industrial, and residential building and fire plans for compliance with Town codes, ordinances, and development standards
• Serving as a technical resource and mentor to other plans examiners, providing guidance on difficult cases and complex projects
• Managing plan review projects from permit application through final inspection using the Town's electronic permit tracking system
• Providing expert information and technical assistance to developers, contractors, and the public on building, fire, zoning, and engineering requirements
• Preparing review comment letters, forms, reports, and documentation, and maintaining accurate project records

This is a full-time, Non-Exempt position eligible for overtime compensation. Employment with the Town of Gilbert is at-will.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

• Posting Closes: September 27, 2026
• Tentative In-Person Interviews: Week of September 28
• Tentative Start Date: October 12, 2026

This timeline is provided as an estimate and is subject to change based on business needs.

You're someone who can look at a stack of complex commercial and industrial construction plans and know exactly where to start. You bring several years of hands-on experience in building, fire, or engineering plan review, and you're comfortable being the person newer examiners come to when a project gets complicated or politically sensitive. You communicate clearly with developers, contractors, and colleagues alike, translating code requirements into plain, actionable guidance. Detail-oriented and steady under time pressure, you take pride in getting projects through the review process accurately and efficiently.

At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Up to one year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Building Construction, Engineering, Fire Science, Environmental, Architecture, Blueprint Reading, Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing
• 4-5 years of experience within a building, engineering, or planning environment using computer aided or pencil drafted construction drawing, distributing and organizing construction plans and documents, inspecting construction sites, reviewing construction drawings, and providing guidance and approval of construction office/field projects
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job classification
• Valid AZ Driver's License
• Building: Three (3) ICC (or equivalent) certifications, one of which must be the Commercial Building Plans Examiner certification (the other two may be residential or commercial, plan review or inspection categories)
• Fire: Three (3) ICC (or equivalent) certifications, one of which must be the Fire Plans Examiner certification (the other two may be residential or commercial, plan review or inspection categories)

This position requires a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screen.

This position has been designated as a Medium work position that spends time in an office and counter-based setting, with occasional field site inspections.

The physical demands and working conditions information above is meant to provide a general idea of the conditions for this role. Gilbert is committed to being an inclusive employer of candidates with a wide range of abilities, and looks for opportunities to accommodate different abilities within reason.

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.