Chief Plans Examiner

Oregonbuildingofficials; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

PERS retirement

Medical coverage

Paid time off

Professional development

Wellness reimbursements

Job summary

The City of Hillsboro is seeking a Chief Plans Examiner to lead its plan review program and guide safe growth in Oregon's dynamic Hillsboro. You will manage a team of plans examiners, interpret complex codes, and collaborate with designers, contractors, and city staff to move projects from concept to construction.

Ideal candidates bring deep building code expertise, strong leadership, and a commitment to excellent public service and customer care.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial, industrial and residential building plan review and code interpretation.
• Proven supervisory or leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and supporting staff.
• Strong knowledge of Oregon building codes, ICC building codes, construction practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with technical professionals, customers, and internal partners.
• The ability to solve complex problems, make sound decisions, and balance technical accuracy with exceptional customer service.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, continuous improvement, and collaborative public service.

Responsibilities

• Supervising staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures.
• Overseeing daily activities of code enforcement and compliance related to plan examination functions for industrial, public, commercial, and residential construction.
• Performs plan examination for projects requiring advanced technical interpretation or of a higher degree of complexity, or as staffing needs require.
• Recommends alternative design compliance methods and provides assistance with the Alternative Methods and Materials request process.
• Makes proactive and strategic recommendations to the Building Division Manager regarding code interpretation, policies, procedures, technology, and personnel.
• Performs building safety assessments in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster and leads emergency preparedness tasks.

Skills

Leadership

Plan review expertise

Code interpretation

Education

Associate's degree in Public Administration, Building Construction Technology, or closely related field

Job description

Help Shape a Safer, Stronger Hillsboro!

The City of Hillsboro is seeking an experienced Chief Plans Examiner to lead our exceptional plan review program and help guide the safe, thoughtful growth of one of Oregon's fastest-growing communities. In this leadership role, you'll oversee a team of plans examiners, provide expert code interpretation, and work alongside design professionals, contractors, and City staff to move complex projects from concept to construction.

If you're a synergistic leader with deep building code expertise, a passion for public service, and a commitment to exceptional customer service, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

As Chief Plans Examiner, you'll provide both technical and people leadership by:

• Supervising staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; proactively identifying potential problems and implementing solutions; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Overseeing daily activities of code enforcement and compliance related to plan examination functions for industrial, public, commercial, and residential construction
• Performs plan examination for projects requiring advanced technical interpretation or of a higher degree of complexity, or as staffing needs require.
• Recommends alternative design compliance methods and provides assistance with the Alternate Methods and Materials request process.
• Makes proactive and strategic recommendations to the Building Division Manager regarding code interpretation, policies, procedures, technology, and personnel.
• Performs building safety assessments in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster. Manages the emergency preparedness task for the building division as assigned. Will lead efforts in the Community Development Building Division Department of Operations Center.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking a leader who brings:

• Extensive experience in commercial, industrial and residential building plan review and code interpretation.
• Proven supervisory or leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and supporting staff.
• Strong knowledge of Oregon building codes, ICC building codes, construction practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with technical professionals, customers, and internal partners.
• The ability to solve complex problems, make sound decisions, and balance technical accuracy with exceptional customer service.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, continuous improvement, and collaborative public service.

Current / Upcoming Projects

• Continued work on the Community Development Departments, Department Operations Center, and the Continuity of Operations Plan for the Building Division.
• Create interesting and relevant in-house training for the plan review and inspection teams alongside the Chief Building Inspector.

Education & Experience

• Associate's degree in Public Administration, Building Construction Technology, or a closely related field; and
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible building construction or plan review experience;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Ability to obtain all required State of Oregon Building Official and applicable inspection and plans examiner certifications within six months of hire, based on assigned discipline.

All State of Oregon approved certifications below within six months of hire:

Oregon Building Official Certification

Structural/Mechanical

1. Oregon Inspector Certification (Oregon OIC)
2. Fire and Life Safety Plans Examiner (Oregon PEF or ICC F3)
3. Building Plans Examiner A-Level (Oregon PEA or ICC B3)
4. Mechanical Inspector A-Level (Oregon MIA or ICC M2)
5. Residential Plans Examiner (Oregon CAX or ICC R3)

Plus two of the following:

• Commercial Building Inspector A-Level (Oregon SIA or ICC B2)
• Mechanical Plans Examiner (ICC M3)
• Commercial Energy Plans Examiner (ICC 78)
• Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner (ICC CN)
• Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans Examiner (ICC CP)
• Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner (ICC 21)

Plumbing

1. Oregon Inspector Certification (Oregon OIC)
2. Commercial Plumbing Inspector (Oregon PI)
3. Residential Plans Examiner (Oregon CAX or ICC R3)
4. Residential Plumbing Inspector
5. Residential Structural Inspector

Plus two of the following:

• Commercial Plumbing Plans Examiner (ICC P3)
• Commercial Building Inspector A-Level (Oregon SIA or ICC B2)
• Building Plans Examiner A-Level (Oregon PEA or ICC B3)
• Commercial Mechanical Inspector A-Level (Oregon MIA or ICC M2)
• Structural Inspector A-Level

Electrical

1. Oregon Inspector Certification (Oregon OIC)
2. Commercial Electrical Inspector (Oregon EI)
3. Commercial Electrical Plans Examiner (ICC E3)
4. Journeyman Electrician
5. Signing Supervising Electrician

Why Join Hillsboro?

At the City of Hillsboro, you'll play a meaningful role in shaping the community's future while working alongside dedicated professionals committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellent public service. Your expertise will directly support safe development, economic growth, and a high quality of life for our residents.

Join us and help build the future of Hillsboro—one project at a time.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off for vacation, personal, sick leave, and holidays
• Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings
• City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements
• Free TriMet annual Hop Pass and SHARC and Hidden Creek Community Center recreation access for you and your immediate family
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness

To learn more about our robust benefits package, please visit our Benefits Page.

Commitment to Equity

At the City of Hillsboro, we believe that hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.