Building Plans Reviewer

Leon County; Tallahassee (FL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Leon County is seeking a Building Plans Reviewer to conduct comprehensive reviews of residential and commercial plans for compliance with the Florida Building Code and related codes. You will use DigEplan and other tools to verify energy, fire, flood, and wind requirements, and prepare detailed deficiency letters.

The role requires extensive knowledge of codes, the ability to interpret complex plans, and the capacity to provide expert guidance to designers and applicants.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma and five years of plans review experience.
• Must hold DBPR Building Plans Examiner License or be eligible for one.
• Must obtain Florida Principal & Practices Certification for Plans Examiners.
• Must maintain licensure and continuing education as required by FL Statute.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license and favorable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Examine building plans for compliance with Florida Building Code and other codes using DigEplan.
• Review plans to meet fire, energy, accessibility, wind load, and flood requirements.
• Verify soil analyses, flood elevations, and foundation adequacy.
• Prepare deficiency letters citing applicable code sections.
• Provide expert code interpretation advice to the public and professionals.
• Assist with permit submissions and respond to inquiries from customers.

Skills

Building codes

Code interpretation

Blueprint reading

Communication

Problem solving

Independent judgment

Education

High school diploma

DBPR Building Plans Examiner License

Florida Principal & Practices Certification

Provisional Building Plans Reviewer License

Tools

DigEplan

ProjectDox

AppXtender

FLA/Res

Wind analysis program

BEAM Analysis

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

submitted applications for conformity to state-mandated construction codes and Leon County ordinances. Work also involves assisting the building and development community in obtaining building permits in an expeditious and courteous manner, and assisting customers with questions and interpretations associated with the implementation of the Florida Building Code. The job duties consist of a variety of complex tasks requiring decision-making that reflects a thorough knowledge of the technical codes. Also, duties consist of working through situations that are multi-faceted and require significant problem-solving skills. Most duties are performed in accordance with established procedures and regulations with little supervisory review. An employee must exercise independent judgment when using performance-based technical codes.

NOTE

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The Job Description Questionnaire (JDQ) reflects a more detailed description of the position. Neither the job description nor the JDQ constitutes an employment agreement. Both are subject to change as the needs of the County and requirements of the job change.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provide comprehensive examination of manufactured housing, swimming pool, and residential and commercial building plans for compliance with all applicable building-related codes and ordinances utilizing DigEplan software. Ensure residential and commercial building plans meet all applicable fire codes, energy codes, accessibility codes, manufactured housing ordnance, and wind load requirements. Review soil analysis to verify adequate foundations. Verify flood elevation certifications and determine if flood relief openings are required per FEMA regulations. Review building plans to ensure building separation and zoning compliance. Provide detailed deficiency letters citing code sections for all residential and commercial plan reviews.

Provide a comprehensive review of residential and commercial building plans to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Code utilizing DigEplan software. Verify appropriate locations for smoke detectors, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and circuit interrupters. Ensure the installment of required small appliance circuits, grounding electrode conductors, over current protection and feeder and branch circuits. Review wiring methods and materials to ensure compliance.

Provide a comprehensive review of residential and commercial building plans to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code and Florida Mechanical and Gas Code utilizing DigEplan software. Review plans to ensure accurate energy calculations, gas pipe sizing calculations, and gas piping riser diagrams. Verify appropriate HVAC equipment size and location. Review plans to ensure adequate exhaust systems, equipment and appliance locations, air duct systems and ventilation systems.

Provide a comprehensive review of residential and commercial building plans to ensure compliance with the Florida Plumbing Code utilizing DigEplan software. Review plans to verify appropriate location of water heater, plumbing fixtures, and waste piping, and to ensure adequate venting requirements, piping support, water supply piping, sanitary drainage, roof drainage, and back-flow prevention.

Serve as "Service Advisor" to the general public and construction related professionals to address building plan and building code related inquiries, and provide input to the Code Enforcement Board. Serve as Service Advisor on a rotating basis for telephone and walk-in customers, to answer questions relating to building plans review and Florida Building Code. Provide preliminary project reviews with design professionals prior to permitting to ensure proper code interpretation and compliance. Provide expert advice as requested for the Code Enforcement Board on minimum housing and building permitting compliance issues.

OTHER IMPORTANT OR MARGINAL DUTIES

None.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of building, energy, accessibility & pool codes. Knowledge of civil engineering. Knowledge of structural engineering. Knowledge of architecture. Skill in drafting. Knowledge of statutes pertaining to the building. Knowledge of math (basic and advanced). Knowledge of construction documents, specification layout, and map reading. Ability to interpret and enforce codes. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Knowledge of computers and software for the entry and tracking of permitting and inspection data. Ability to read blueprints and contour maps. Routine use of fractional and percent calculations, as well as basic math to calculate fees.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK

Duties consist of a variety of complex tasks requiring decision making that reflects thorough knowledge of the technical codes. Also, duties consist of working through situations that are multi-faceted and require significant problem-solving skills. Most duties are performed in accordance with established procedures and regulations with little supervisory review. An employee must exercise judgment when using performance based technical codes.

RESPONSIBILITY

Supervision Received

This position's duties are generally defined and require significant independent judgment how to accomplish the work. The position seldom receives guidance from supervisor and/or lead co-worker.

Supervision of Others

This position is non-supervisory.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER CONTACT

Internal and external contact, including the public, for verifying project consistency, addressing technical issues and questions, permitting submittal and processing, plat verification, historical information and parcel data, status updates, et cetera.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED

Personal computer; word processing software; database software; spreadsheet software; specialized software such as AppXtender, ProjectDox, PETS, FLA/Res (residential energy efficiency program), FLA/Com (commercial energy efficiency program), wind analysis program, BEAM Analysis (wood, steel, and engineered wood beam programs);adding machine and basic calculator; scientific calculator; copier; plotter; scanner; vehicle or light truck are tools and equipment used in this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Most work is performed inside seated in a chair at a desk. Work involves mostly sitting, standing, and walking.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires a high school diploma or an equivalent and five years of related work experience in building plans review, and five years of related work experience in one of the following disciplines: electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or an equivalent combination of education and training in order to qualify for a Provisional Building Plans Reviewer License.

Necessary Special Requirements

Must possess a valid Class "E" State of Florida Driver's License and have a favorable driving record at the time of employment.

Must obtain a DBPR Building Plans Examiner License in building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing.

Must obtain aFlorida Principal & Practices Certification for Plans Examiners.

Must maintain Standard professional certification as a Building Plans Examiner. Continuation of employment with the County as a Building Plans Reviewer shall be based on the conversion of a provisional license to a Standard Plans Examiner license in one of the following disciplines: building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical, consistent with the criteria and provisions outlined in Florida Statutes and as implemented by the Board. Show knowledge of FL construction laws through successful completion of the State Principles and Practices Exam. Maintain continuing education for licensure as required by FL Statute 468. Maintain licensure by performing daily duties as outlined in Florida Statute 468.601-633 and FL Administrative Code 61G19.

All Leon County employees (regular full-time and part-time, OPS, and PRN) are required to work before, during and after a Declared Local State of Emergency (DLSOE). Participation is considered a condition of employment.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check, drug testing.

FLSA STATUS

Non-Exempt. Work involves performing review of building plans.