Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician)

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange is seeking a Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician) to perform technical plan checks for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, ensuring code compliance and proper permit issuance. The role may involve training and leading Permit Technicians as needed.

Candidates should understand state laws, municipal and County ordinances, and zoning principles, with the ability to interpret rules independently for public and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience with plan checks for residential, commercial projects.
• Knowledge of state and county building codes, zoning rules.
• Ability to interpret technical plans and code requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical plan checking for code compliance.
• Respond to inquiries from engineers, architects, designers.
• Coordinate plan checks with other departments.
• Evaluate construction plans for permits and fees.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Map interpretation

Building codes

Zoning knowledge

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

ICC Plans Examiner Certificate

Job description

PLANS EXAMINER (Senior Permit Technician)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Senior Permit Technician positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

OC DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

OC Development Services is a service area within OC Public Works (OCPW) that oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County’s unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations – all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OCPW has an opening for a Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician) in OC Development Services/ Building & Safety. The Plans Examiner will be responsible for participating in permitting activities and may also serve as a lead to Permit Technicians or Permit Technician Trainees by organizing, prioritizing, assisting with training, monitoring activities, and ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Incumbents are required to possess an understanding of state laws, municipal and County ordinances, and zoning principles and practices governing construction and land use, and are expected to act independently when interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to the public and County employees.

Responsibilities and duties for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform technical plan checking of residential, commercial, and industrial building plans and designs for overall code compliance, which may include fire and life safety, structural safety requirements including earthquake and wind load stress determination, electrical, energy, accessibility, plumbing, and mechanical requirements
• Respond to inquiries from engineers, architects, designers, and the public regarding the interpretation of technical code requirements, including fire and life safety, structural safety, electrical, energy, accessibility, plumbing, and mechanical requirements as well as any specific County building standards
• Advise permit applicants, engineers, designers, or architects whose plans are not in conformance with required codes and indicate where designs do not comply with code requirements and regulations
• Coordinate plan check activities with other County departments and outside agencies
• Evaluate construction plans for the issuance of permits and collection of applicable fees

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, a Permit Technician Certificate and/ or a Plans Examiner Certificate from the International Code Council (ICC) are highly desirable.

Technical knowledge | Skills

• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs and office equipment
• Interpreting maps, building plans, design plans, specifications, and working plans related to Planning and Land Use, Applications, and Permits
• Understanding and applying building codes, zoning, and land use rules and regulations, and other State and County ordinances
• Regulatory practices, rules, and ordinances governing a building's proper construction, use, occupancy, safety, and sanitation

Customer Service

• Strong customer service skills for internal and external customers
• Interacting with customers for prolonged periods of time at the permitting counter, over the phone, or via email (online portal)
• Exercising tact, good judgment, and patience in assisting the public
• Works well in a team environment

Communication | Oral & Written

• Accurately and concisely exchanging information with others, both orally and in writing
• Comprehending and interpreting technical material related to the job and catering the information appropriately to the receiving audience
• Asking questions, listening for information, responding to customers, and entering data and notes into an automated permitting system

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rose Nguyen at [e-mail] or [phone].

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.