Plans Examiner

City of Centennial; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 51,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Centennial is seeking a Plans Examiner to review building, sign, electrical, mechanical and plumbing plans for compliance with codes and ordinances. You will advise owners, architects and inspectors on code interpretation and maintain records within the permit system.

Under general supervision, you will analyze plats, site plans and drawings, apply local amendments and coordinate with colleagues to ensure safety and accessibility requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Must be able to interpret and apply various codes and regulations pertaining to building safety.
• Ability to perform written plan review correspondence and update information into City software program.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, meeting deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, and customers.
• Ability to interpret graphs and read construction plans and specs.

Responsibilities

• Performs full plan review of all plans and documents for compliance with codes.
• Ensures life safety compliance and occupancy determinations in plans.
• Verifies local amendments and state requirements in plans.
• Provides training and guidance to permit staff.
• Updates digital project applications and data in the system.
• Responds to customer inquiries via phone and email.
• Reviews sign, fence, and pool-related plan submittals.
• Submit reports to outside agencies as needed.
• Assist Building Official with amendments, agendas, and fee schedules.

Skills

Building codes

Code interpretation

Project management

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Time management

Job description

The City of Centennial, Colorado is an organization driven to quality products and outcomes while adhering to sound fiscal practices and efficient provision of services. We seek to attract and retain the best staff to assist us in this mission and, in return, foster a culture which supports all employees using their talents every day to do what they do best. A winner of nine Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards, we are proud to embody the link between a highly engaged workforce and excellence in business outcomes. We are an innately collaborative culture dedicated to talents and focused on results.

Under general supervision of the Building Official, the purpose of the Plans Examiner is to examine building, sign, structure, electrical, mechanical and plumbing plans and specifications (or some combination of any or all of these disciplines) to ensure proper adherence to applicable building codes and other regulations for the approval of construction or alteration work by means of interpretation and application of such codes and ordinances. This position requires the evaluation of plats, site plans, civil drawings, building construction plans, specifications and architectural standards submittals, and the ability to interpret these for compliance. The examiner is responsible for advising property owners, architects, builders, engineers and building inspectors on matters regarding building code compliance and zoning ordinances.

Plans Examiner Hiring Range: $36.78 - $44.13/Hour
Plans Examiner Salary Range: $36.78 - $51.49/Hour

The following statements are illustrative of the essential duties of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. The City of Centennial retains the right to modify or change the essential and additional functions of the job at any time.

• Performs full plan review of all plans and documents, both residential and commercial, for overall compliance with all applicable adopted codes including but not limited to the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fuel Gas Code, National Electric Code, ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, City ordinances, State requirements relating to barrier-free review and asbestos surveys.
• Ensures compliance with life safety issues, including such items as determining fire sprinkler/fire alarm requirements, exiting requirements, occupancy and construction type determinations and applying various other adopted code regulations to submitted construction plans.
• Determined compliance with State requirements relating to construction plans; verify construction plans comply with local amendments.
• Provides on-going training for permit department personnel regarding interpreting and applying code and ordinance requirements in the field, including but not limited to International Codes, Architectural Standards, Sign Ordinance, Site Plan processing and other related permit staff applications.
• Responsible for updating digital project application submittals and entering other data into the system.
• Responds to customer inquiries via telephone and email regarding codes and code interpretation.
• Reviews sign permit applications, input plan review data to prepare for permit approval and/or issuance, calculates permit fees, and notifies customers of permit approval and associated fees due.
• Reviews fence and signage plans for permits, reviews new permit submittals related to swimming pools, accessory use structures and subdivision entry features.
• Prepares and submits various reports regarding permits to outside agencies as needed.
• Provides technical assistance to developers, architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, utility providers, and City staff on matters regarding codes, ordinances, permit submittal process, accessibility, and permit fee calculations.

• Assists the Building Official with determining which local amendments the City should adopt and support, agenda items, fee schedules, and special projects as needed.
• Performs related work as required, including but not limited to occasional fieldreview/inspections for construction compliance as needed.
• Maintains and updates files and systems.
• Responsible for the maintenance, updating and retention of records, data and content managed within the scope of the position. Acquires and utilizes knowledge of City's electronic content management systems and guards against the unauthorized removal, destruction, or use of municipal records. Recognizes and respects that City employees forgo any personal or proprietary right to the City's records including those that may have been developed, created or compiled during their tenure in employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment connected to the position

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Building and construction knowledge of materials, methods, and the appropriate tools to construct objects, structures, and buildings.
• Knowledge of technical and administrative aspects of all phases of building plan reviews, inspections, codes, contractor licenses and qualifications necessary to obtain them.
• Must be able to interpret and apply various codes and regulations pertaining to building safety.
• Ability to prepare written plan review correspondence and update information into City software program.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; ability to utilize principles of fractions.
• Ability to interpret graphs and read and comprehend construction plans and specifications.
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, and people to whom service is provided.
• Judgment and decision making weighing the relative costs and benefits of the potential action.
• Writing and information gathering, communicating effectively with others in writing and verbally as indicated by the needs of the audience and knowing how to find information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands while meeting deadlines.
• Critical thinking using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.

REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Must be able to perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation.

Physical Demands

Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; frequent standing and walking, sometimes for extended periods. Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lifting supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies. Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment. Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing and/or pulling up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting and pushing and/or pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with dollies and carts. Frequent driving of a variety of motor vehicles.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with in-person and telephone contact and may involve frequent interruption. Work may require attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings. Work is performed occasionally on construction sites to inspect or consult inspectors and ensure work follows applicable standards and may include exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Equipment Used/Required

Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy/fax machine, tape measure and computer printer.

EXPECTATION OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Support the City’s mission, vision and values.

Mission

– Driven to provide exceptional service to the Centennial community.

Values

– Collaborative, Intentional, Service Oriented, and Innovative

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.