Senior Plans Examiner

City of Bellevue; Bellevue (AL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bellevue seeks a Senior Building Plans Examiner to review complex commercial and residential plans for compliance with local, state and national codes. The role sits in Development Services and collaborates with engineers, inspectors, planners, and other staff to ensure safe, compliant construction.

Responsibilities include evaluating plans, mentoring staff, coordinating with other divisions, and ensuring accurate record-keeping and customer support throughout the permitting process.

Qualifications

• Experience performing plan review for building codes and regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret complex construction plans and specs.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate a full range of construction plans for compliance with building and related codes.
• Mentor and train other review staff to ensure consistency in code interpretation.
• Coordinate reviews and inspections with multiple divisions and agencies.

Skills

Plan review

Code knowledge

Customer service

Reading plans

Communication

Education

Two-year degree

ICC Plans Examiner certification

Job description

Department: Development Services

Division: DS Building Review

Job classification: Plans Examiner, Senior

Posting type: Open

Categories: Building & Safety, Miscellaneous

Summary

The City of Bellevue is currently seeking a Senior Building Plans Examiner who has experience reviewing complex commercial and residential plans. Development Services is a multi-department line of business that offers one-stop shopping for general information and the permits needed for development activity in Bellevue. We are code compliance officers, engineers, finance analysts, inspectors, planners, plans examiners, permit technicians, and support staff from the Development Services, Fire, Transportation, and Utilities departments. As a Senior Building Plans Examiner you will review and evaluate building plans and specifications to ensure the proposed construction complies with local, state and national building, accessibility, energy and related codes.

Examples of duties

• Reviews and evaluates a full range of routine to the most complex construction plans to ensure that proposed construction complies with building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, environmental, flood hazard, design, energy, landscape, clearing, grading, filling, and related codes.
• Assists and supports in the training and mentoring of other review staff to improve consistency in the interpretation and application of the adopted codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, and customer service expectations of the City.
• Applies valuations and permit costs to new projects based on codes, regulations, and policies.
• Coordinates activities with building official, inspectors, planners, engineers, fire inspectors, and other agency staff.
• Provides project management for larger projects that include multiple permits with other Development Services divisions. May provide project management for projects on which they are not the primary reviewer.
• Provides customer service to the public on general code and permitting requirements.
• Performs research on codes and ordinances as assigned to evaluate and recommend improvements.
• Researches problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction, and code compliance.
• Responds to complex and sensitive building and customer service issues.
• Maintains records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions.
• Coordinates plan reviews, inspections, and enforcement actions.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of approved plans.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the general supervision of the Review & Inspection Supervisor.
• May supervise, as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of building, accessibility, energy and other construction codes adopted by the City of Bellevue and Washington State.
• Skill in applying knowledge of national, state, and local construction codes.
• Understanding of other City Divisions and how their processes relate to construction permits and project design.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public.
• Ability to read and understand complicated construction plans.
• Excellent customer service skills with a focus on expedited and simplified solutions while adhering to city code requirements and interpretations within their discretionary authority.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university.
• Requires a minimum of three years of experience performing plan review for a jurisdiction, enforcement agency, or similar entity.
• Three or more years of professional related experience in the construction industry or related areas.
• ICC Plans Examiner certification required.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid Washington State driver's license may be required.

Supplemental information

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking; talking; hearing; using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.
• Work may periodically require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• The employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions, in wet and/or humid conditions, in high, precarious places, near moving mechanical parts, near fumes, airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals, or near risk of electrical shock and/or vibration.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.