Building Plans Examiner 1 (12-2013)

Public Safety; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Department of Public Safety is seeking a Plan Review professional to examine and review complex building plans for compliance with International Building, Fire, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes applicable in Alaska.

Based in Anchorage, the role focuses on reviewing plans for schools, hospitals, and large commercial facilities, advising on code interpretations, and supporting the Alaska State Fire Marshal's mission to protect life and property.

Qualifications

• Principles of engineering as applied to fire prevention and life safety.
• Appropriate safety and fire protection methods as related to building construction or alterations.
• Principles, practices, materials and equipment used in industrial, residential and commercial construction.
• Interpretation of federal, state, and municipal codes governing housing and building construction, including the Uniform Building Code and Standards, Uniform Fire Code and Standards, Uniform Mechanical Code, International Building, Fire and Mechanical code and associated referenced standards.
• equivalent to those typically gained by: Three years of experience either reviewing construction plans and specifications or performing building construction inspections for compliance with regulations regarding design and construction codes.

Responsibilities

• Examine and review complex plans and specifications for compliance with building, fire, mechanical and fuel gas codes.
• Establish and approve occupancy sizes, fire safety requirements and fire protection systems in plans.
• Advise on regulations and code interpretations; draft procedures to improve plan review efficiency.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Critical Thinking

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Writing

Job description

Job Description

This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants

must

meet

A

laska Residency Requirement

s in order to be considered for employment at this time.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Examine and review the most complex plans and specifications involving new construction, alterations and remodeling for compliance with International Building, Fire, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes, and referenced code standards as adopted by the State of Alaska Administrative Code. Major developments include new schools, hospitals, correctional centers, large shopping centers and processing complexes, representing industrial, commercial, and multi-story residential structures.

Establish and approve maximum occupancy sizes, fire resistant materials, exit requirements, and fire alarm and extinguishing systems, while examining and reviewing plans involving nonstructural items such as sprinklers, fire pumps, standpipes, water supply requirements and calculations.

Review and comment on proposed regulations, legislation and building codes; assist in drafting regulations, procedures and codes which affect plan reviews and building inspections; recommend changes in procedures to increase efficiency in plan reviews. Function as an advisor to the State Fire Marshal on technical code interpretations and fire safety matters for building construction.

OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE:

Our mission is to prevent the loss of life and property from fire and explosion. Fire safety is improved through three means; Enforcement, Engineering, and Education. The Plan Review Bureau meets the Engineering means of our mission.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:

This position enables you to become a valuable member of the plan review team and allowing you the option to move into the division level, possibly becoming the Alaska State Fire Marshal. Learning the design and construction industry across the State of Alaska while making a difference in public buildings ensuring Fire and Life Safety. Provided an excellent opportunity for on-the-job training and formal training classes.

THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT:

The location of the position is 3000 C Street, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99503. Primarily an office environment that has potential to conduct site visits.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Attention to Detail

: Is thorough when performing building plan reviews and conscientious about attention to details.

Critical Thinking

: Uses logic and reasoning during plan reviews to identify fire and life safety building requirements and offer alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Interpersonal Skills

: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Problem Solving

: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Writing

: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

The Department of Public Safety strives to preserve the peace, enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, and protect life and property. All positions support or carry out the Department's mission. If our mission interests you and this position embodies your strengths, please consider joining our team.

More information about the Department of P

ublic Safety can be found on our website:

http://dps.alaska.gov/

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities in:

Principles of engineering as applied to fire prevention and life safety.

Appropriate safety and fire protection methods as related to building construction or alterations.

Principles, practices, materials and equipment used in industrial, residential and commercial construction.

Interpretation of federal, state, and municipal codes governing housing and building construction, including the Uniform Building Code and Standards, Uniform Fire Code and Standards, Uniform Mechanical Code, International Building, Fire and Mechanical code and associated referenced standards.

equivalent to those typically gained by:

Three years of experience either reviewing construction plans and specifications or performing building construction inspections for compliance with regulations regarding design and construction codes.

Special Note:

Continued employment is contingent upon obtaining certification as either an ICC Building Plans Examiner or Fire Inspector 1 within six months of hire.

Continued employment is contingent up on obtaining certification as an ICC Building Plans Examiner, Fire Inspector 1, and Mechanical Inspector within 18 months of hire.

Additional Required Information

C

OVER LETTER

A cover letter is NOT required for this position.

Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

AT TIME OF INTERVIEW:

List of three (3) professional references.

Last two (2) performance evaluations (letter of recommendation from current or former supervisor may be substituted)

BACKGROUND CHECK

This position requires the incumbent to submit to a fingerprint based criminal history background check. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, and required access to APSIN, an applicant with criminal convictions will not move forward in the selection process.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

The successful candidate will be required to read, understand, and agree to via signature, an agreement of confidentiality concerning the work commonly encountered within the Department of Public Safety to qualify for this position.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full