Plans Examiner Supervisor

City of Palm Springs; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Palm Springs is seeking a Building & Safety Plan Examiner to supervise plan checking for compliance with codes and ordinances. The role involves overseeing staff, reviewing complex plans, and coordinating with architects, contractors, and the public to resolve issues.

The position requires four years of plan check experience, supervisory exposure, and relevant education. A California driver license and ICC certification within one year are required; IAPMO is preferred.

Qualifications

• Four years of plan check experience, including one year in a supervisory role.
• High School Diploma required; an Associate degree in architecture/engineering or building inspection preferred.
• ICC Plans Examiner certification must be obtained within one year.
• California driver license with satisfactory driving record required.
• IAPMO certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, supervise, and participate in plan checking activities.
• Explain applicable codes to the public and stakeholders.
• Coordinate plan checking with other departments and transmit comments as needed.
• Prepare budget and analytical reports for the Building & Safety Department.
• Stay abreast of new trends in code compliance and related investigations.

Skills

Plan checking

Supervision

Customer service

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree in architecture/engineering/building inspection

Job description

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum

THE CITY:

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on, visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign score of 100%, visit the Municipal Equality Index website.

THE POSITION:

This position is a member of the Building & Safety Department and supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for checking building plans and specifications for compliance with established building codes and other local, State and Federal requirements, ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures, and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for plan checking activities, examining plans and specifications for compliance with established uniform building codes, zoning regulations, and ordinances, and approving plans as needed.
• Establish schedules and methods for providing plan checking services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly. Participate in the development of policies and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and processes.
• Perform the more technical and complex tasks of the work unit including the examination of plans and specifications. Meet and confer with architects, contractors, builders, and the general public; interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and municipal electrical, plumbing, structural, and mechanical codes, and other related laws, codes, and regulations to the public, departmental staff, and other agencies; resolve disputes between the design/build community and assigned staff. Establish effective relationships with business owners, homeowners, designers, builders, other City officials, and the public in general.
• Coordinate plan checking activities with other departments; transmit plans and specifications to appropriate departments, divisions or outside consultants; transmit other department comments to applicants as necessary.
• Participate with other governmental agencies to provide emergency service coordination, including ICBO local chapter on code related issues. Prepare and provide assistance for hearings; prepare statistical and photographic reports for cases; provide testimony as a witness or representative of the City; research and investigate special problems and disputes.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures, coach and evaluate performance.
• Verify the work assigned to employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of the Building and Safety Department budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
• Prepare analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends in the field of plans examination and building code compliance.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Participate in a variety of special projects as assigned.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of code compliance and investigations.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible plan check work experience, including one year of administrative or lead supervisory responsibility is required.
• Customer Service experience in a plan check environment is preferred.

Training

• High School Diploma or equivalent education is required.
• An Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, engineering, building inspection or a related field is preferred.

License or Certificates:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, within one year of appointment, a valid ICC Plans Examiner certification is required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record is required (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three (3) or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three (3) years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five (5) years).
• IAPMO Certification is preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Incumbent will be enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provide information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation and a physical and drug screen.

Working Conditions:

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an office and field environment with exposure to computers and other office equipment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, inclement weather conditions; may work or inspect in confined spaces or on slippery or uneven surfaces; and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods; light and moderate lifting, pulling, pushing, kneeling, bending, climbing; talk or hear, in person and over the phone; repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports and using a computer keyboard; specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus; driving a vehicle for limited periods.

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

Selection Process Information

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview. Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates. Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

The City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.palmspringsca.gov
760-323-8215

Applications must be received by 4:00pm, September 17, 2026 in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.