Chief Plans Examiner

City of Dearborn Career Opportunities; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Dearborn Career Opportunities seeks a Chief Plans Examiner at the Dearborn Administrative Center to oversee plan review operations across residential, commercial, and industrial projects. You will lead staff, ensure compliance with state and local codes, and coordinate with developers, architects, and engineers.

Reporting to the Assistant Building Official, you will manage workflows, provide technical guidance, and be the primary authority on complex reviews and code interpretation,

Qualifications

• Up to one year of specialized or technical training beyond high school.
• Five years of experience in plan review, building inspection, or related construction/design field, including at least two years in a supervisory or lead capacity.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the plan review process and supervises Plan Review staff for residential, commercial, and industrial projects to ensure compliance with state and local codes and ordinances.
• Reviews complex and high-value project plans and specifications for structural, fire, accessibility, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing code compliance.
• Coordinates plan review workflow and communication among Planning, Engineering, Fire, and other departments to ensure efficient interdepartmental review.
• Provides technical guidance and code interpretation to plan reviewers, inspectors, and external stakeholders.
• Conducts training and mentoring for plan review and inspection staff to ensure consistency, professional development, and compliance with best practices.
• Communicates with architects, engineers, contractors, and property owners to explain code requirements and resolve discrepancies in submittals.
• Prepares and maintains plan review records, reports, and performance metrics to track accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Participates in the development and implementation of customer service standards, digital permitting processes, and procedural improvements.
• Serves as acting division lead on plan review matters when the Assistant Building Official is unavailable.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance, including attendance at required meetings.

Skills

Plan review experience

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Tools

LARA Act 407 certifications

SESC Plan Review certification

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Dearborn Administrative Center - Dearborn, MI 48126 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $84,936.00 - $119,165.00 Salary/year CHIEF PLANS EXAMINER

STARTING SALARY: Minimum: $84,936 per year Maximum: $119,165 per year

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK:

This position is responsible for overseeing all plan review operations within the Building and Safety Department to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with state and local building codes for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The Chief Plans Examiner provides technical leadership, supervises plan review staff, and coordinates with developers, architects, engineers, and other departments to uphold safety, code integrity, and customer service standards. Reporting to the Assistant Building Official, this role manages division workflows and serves as the primary authority for complex plan reviews and technical code interpretation.

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (See online posting for complete job description)

• Oversees the plan review process and supervises Plan Review staff for residential, commercial, and industrial projects to ensure compliance with state and local codes and ordinances.


• Reviews complex and high-value project plans and specifications for structural, fire, accessibility, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing code compliance.


• Coordinates plan review workflow and communication among Planning, Engineering, Fire, and other departments to ensure efficient interdepartmental review.


• Provides technical guidance and code interpretation to plan reviewers, inspectors, and external stakeholders.


• Conducts training and mentoring for plan review and inspection staff to ensure consistency, professional development, and compliance with best practices


• Communicates with architects, engineers, contractors, and property owners to explain code requirements and resolve discrepancies in submittals.


• Prepares and maintains plan review records, reports, and performance metrics to track accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.


• Participates in the development and implementation of customer service standards, digital permitting processes, and procedural improvements.


• Serves as acting division lead on plan review matters when the Assistant Building Official is unavailable.


• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance, including attendance at required meetings.

This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

QualificationsEXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Up to one (1) year of specialized or technical training beyond high school and five (5) years of experience in plan review, building inspection, or a related construction/design field, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or lead capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Act 407 certifications for both Plan Review and Building Official.


• SESC Plan Review certification.

PARTS AND WEIGHTS OF THE EXAMINATION:

• Oral 100%

DURATION OF LIST:

This list will be in effect for a period of six months.

POST-EMPLOYMENT OFFER REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactory completion of background check (sex offender registry if applicable) and a pre-employment physical and drug screen that tests for illegal drugs as defined by the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act but not those legalized under Michigan law.