Plans Examiner Supervisor

Pierce County; Washington; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a seasoned Building Plan Review Leader to supervise the complex residential plan review process, applying building, plumbing, mechanical, and energy codes. You will guide staff, provide technical support, and build strong relationships with internal teams and external customers.

This role emphasizes strategic leadership, project management, and delivering high-quality services to Pierce County residents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Architecture or Engineering, or licensure as Architect/PE.
• Seven years of relevant experience examining building plans for compliance, including one year in a supervisory role.
• ICC Plans Examiner (Residential or Commercial) certification required at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance to reviewers to resolve technical issues and customer inquiries.
• Recommend changes in ordinances and regulations governing permitting and building inspections.
• Assist with field inspections of damaged buildings after disasters or similar events; post notices and secure property.
• Communicate with architects, engineers, designers, and contractors regarding permitting and code enforcement concerns.
• Help implement division goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Represent the County with local, State, or National Code Organizations as directed.
• Lead and train staff; conduct evaluations and address deficiencies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Supervisory

Project management

Building codes

Education

Architecture or Engineering degree

Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer

Tools

Job description

Summary

Description

Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

In this role you will be applying building code, efficient permitting, and construction code compliance, you will lead our Building Plan Review Section responsible for conducting complex residential plan reviews. We complete all plan reviews electronically in a consolidated review format for compliance with state and locally adopted building, plumbing, mechanical, and energy codes. You will also provide technical support and guidance to review staff regarding complex technical building code application while developing strong relationships with a diverse group of employees and customers.

Why It's a Great Department:

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for a strong leader with exceptional communication skills. Someone with the ability to foster teamwork and cultivate an environment of respect, trust, and fairness will be a welcome addition to our team. We are looking for an individual with the ability to utilize new technologies to the workplace along with expertise in building construction. This person will follow best practices for project management plus effectively supervise and support a motivated group of professionals in delivering high-quality services and expertise to the citizens of Pierce County.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Support building and development plan review by providing oversight and guidance to other reviewers to resolve technical issues and handle customer inquiries.
• Make recommendations to the Building Official for changes in ordinances and regulations governing the County permitting and building inspections programs.
• Assist directly or indirectly with field inspections of damaged buildings in the event of a natural disaster or similar event; post notices; and secure property to prevent entry.
• Confer with architects, engineers, designers, manufacturers, building owners, or contractors relative to their concerns with the permitting and code enforcement processes.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of division goals, objectives, practices, and procedures.
• Acts as a County representative to local, State or National Code Organizations, as directed by the Building Official.
• Provide leadership and direction to assigned personnel; participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training, conduct performance evaluations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; initiate disciplinary action when necessary and respond to grievances at the first level.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Architecture or Engineering, or registration as a licensed Architect or Professional Engineer may be substituted for up to four years of experience.
• Seven years of relevant experience examining building plans for compliance, including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity.
• Professional Certification as ICC Plans Examiner (Residential or Commercial) is required at time of hire.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.