SENIOR PLANS EXAMINER

Helena, City of (MT); Helena (MT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Helena seeks a Plan Examiner Section supervisor with deep knowledge of building codes to plan, coordinate, and supervise daily operations. You will work with field inspectors, administrators, external agencies, and the construction community to move projects forward.

This role requires strong code expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple reviews, provide guidance, and ensure documentation accuracy.

Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible plan review experience.
• Licensure or certification as required by Montana/ICC standards.
• Ability to interpret IRC/IBC and related codes for plan reviews.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating with multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead building plan review and ensure compliance with applicable codes and city/state rules.
• Coordinate reviews with inspectors, external agencies, and the construction community.
• Supervise plans examination staff and manage performance.
• Maintain records and provide training and support.
• Act as acting building official in absence of CBO and respond to client inquiries.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Multi-project management

Customer service

Education

Bachelor or advanced degree in structural/civil/architectural engineering

Licensure as architect or professional engineer

ICC Plans Examiner certification

Job description

Are you a master of building codes ready to step into a pivotal leadership role?

We are looking for a dynamic professional to plan, coordinate, and supercharge the day-to-day operations of our Plan Examination Section. In this role, you won't just look at blueprints—you will masterfully coordinate complex technical reviews that transform community blueprints into reality. You will collaborate daily with field inspectors, administrative support, external agencies, and the construction community to keep projects moving forward. Bring your deep legal and structural code expertise to the table, and serve as a trusted technical advisor to the Chief Building Official.

Duty 1: Building Plan Review and Code Compliance

40% Time

Essential

Tasks:

• Examine residential and commercial building design proposals and submitted documents for completeness
• Review and evaluate minor to complex building project plans, details, specifications, and related documents to ensure construction as proposed complies with all building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, environmental, flood hazard, energy, barrier-free design requirements (accessibility), and grading or filling code requirements and related codes, standards, rule, s and laws.
• Perform electronic markup of plans for new commercial and residential buildings, interior remodels of both commercial and residential structures, communication towers, garages, decks, re-roofs, and miscellaneous outbuildings to ensure compliance with all City and State adopted building codes and administrative rules, City of Helena ordinances and accessibilities laws.
• Develop comprehensive written code summary of all deficiencies in submitted documents and provide summary to the client with approved or disapproved plan reviews comments.
• Review client plan review responses to determine if acceptable and incorporated into the resubmitted plan set or sent back for additional information.
• Oversee the complete building plan review process and monitor reviews of other City departments, ensure the client has received a copy of all comments and incorporate other department comments into the plans.
• Ensure and monitor all correspondence both written and verbal, resubmittals, addendums and all other documents relating to the project are entered into the permitting software system for permanent record.
• Act as the point of contact for all resubmitted changes for review and approval, answer questions from designers and contractors during the construction and assist in providing an acceptable resolution to field inspection issues.
• Position involves reviewing multiple projects simultaneously so multi-tasking is an essential requirement.
• Time management is imperative to ensure timely review and response to designers, owners and contractors.
• Review applications for city business licenses regarding changes in use of the building and inquire about proposed alterations requiring permits.
  • Research address file, contact applicant for intended use of the space.
  • Meet with the applicant to perform a walk-through to determine if there are any deficiencies
  • Determine if permits are required in order to obtain a business license
  • Work with the owner and/or business applicant to assist with the building permit submittal process.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on acceptability of new building products and technologies to the Chief Building Official.

Duty 2: Customer Service – Public Relations

30% Time

Essential

Tasks:

• Explains, interprets, answer questions and provides guidance regarding applicable building codes, and regulations to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, owners and other interested parties
• Accurately interpret building code requirements and laws related to changes-of-use for existing structures encountered during plans examination
• Meet with designers, contractors, developers, and owners to perform preliminary review of proposed project prior to submittal to identify potential building code issues. Applicable for both new and existing building construction and remodel.
• Perform on-site walk-throughs of existing buildings to determine code requirements involving change and nonchange of use in the spaces.
• Respond to phone calls and e-mails from homeowners, contractors, architectural & engineering companies, insurance, and real estate firms concerning building code questions, what information is required on plans for submittal and the process of how to submit projects for review.
• Conducts on-site inspections related to plan examination of design proposals
• Attend various meetings related to new building projects and developments within the city

Duty 3: Plans Examiner Section Supervision

20% Time

Essential Duties

Tasks:

• Supervise full-time and part-time plans examination staff.
• Oversees Plan Reviewer training on city policies and procedure and code related training
• Establishes and evaluates completion of daily work assignments of plan review staff
• Sets goals and objectives for section to provide excellent customer service, complete plans reviews and standards for documentation
• Keep the Chief Building Official apprised of section goals and performance status
• Review completed work of plan reviewers to ensure completeness, evaluate completed plan review documents for timeliness, effectiveness, and consistency
• Answer questions and assist as needed on projects plans reviewers are working on
• Provide in-house training, including attendance in outside training seminars as they are available.
• Monitor reports for outstanding reviews and completed reviews by staff to ensure reviews are being completed in a timely manner.
• Monitor other departments reviews to ensure timely response on plan reviews and send out reminders for completion of reviews.
• Perform annual employee performance reviews.
• Makes programmatic recommendations for section with analysis of improvements in level of service to the Chief Building Official.

Duty 4: Record Management and Training

5% Time

Secondary Duties

Tasks:

• Attend code training and code updated seminars on code changes and newly adopted code editions
• Maintain continuing education credits and certifications through ICC and other related credentials.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of approved plans, reviews, and correspondence on all projects
• Conducts ongoing operational review policies and processes, recommend advancements as applicable
• Develops forms, training programs and review aids as needed for improved service delivery
• Participates and represents division on various internal committees and at external functions
• Ensure plan review staff and other city departments are documenting project reviews including, project documents and correspondence into the permit software system.
• Review processes to maintain and/or improve effectiveness for reviews and client communication.
• Implement actions requested by Chief Building Official and assign duties as needed to review staff for assistance.

Duty 5: Division Support

5% Time

Secondary Duties

Tasks:

• Serves in administrative capacity as acting building official in the absence of the Chief Building Official
• In absence of Chief Building Official answer questions concerning projects new or proposed, attend meetings both departmental and with clients, sign approved certificate of occupancies and time sheets. Perform other duties as assigned and oversee projects that the CBO may have in progress or outstanding.
• Performs the duties of a building inspector, as qualified and as needed.
• Meet with clients and contractors concerning project deficiencies and assist the City Fire Marshal as requested
• Assist administrative staff as needed or requested.

Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge of the International Residential Code, International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, International Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, Accessibility Standards, and other adopted construction codes as adopted by State with amendments per Administrative Rules of Montana and other city ordinances and standards.
• Working knowledge of electrical, carpentry, concrete, mechanical, or plumbing work and skill in applying knowledge of building codes, zoning, and land use regulations.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles related to structural, civil and soils issues
• Participation in required and optional continuing education courses commensurate with professional licensure as an architect or engineer; and developed or obtained from ICC professional certificate as a Plans Examiner.
• Knowledge of graphic symbolism and architectural nomenclature required to accurately and effectively read, analyze, and review various types of building plans, specifications, and contract documents
• Prepare concise summaries and reports of code violations, construction deficiencies and necessary modifications or corrections for design professional, developers, contractors, and owners.
• General building division administrative and operational procedures, special-reporting requirements.

Skill or ability to:

• Operate modern office equipment and operate a motor vehicle as needed.
• Remain positive and professional under busy working conditions.
• Establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public, and provide superior customer service-oriented approach to the work.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships within the Building Division, with other city departments and staff, and with the public and professional communities regularly contacted in the daily course of work.
• Supervise staff, assist with evaluation and training and professional development.
• Read and understand complicated plans and blueprints
• Conduct research of property ownership and determine the appropriateness of building use on existing buildings
• Evaluate impacts and make recommendations on the applicability of or need for land use variance process.
• Listen effectively and respond accurately to requests for code interpretations
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Remain adaptable to changing circumstances and conditions in the workplace.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training):

• This position requires a minimum of four years of progressively more responsible work experience performing plan review functions for a code compliance regulatory agency and staff supervision and comply with at least one of the following educational criteria below.
• A bachelor or advanced degree in structural, civil, or related architectural or engineering discipline.
• Licensure as either an architect or professional engineer (in a building related discipline)
• OR
• Residential and Commercial Plans Examiner certified or be a certified building, mechanical or plumbing inspector and have a construction related engineering or architecture degree or license, in accordance with State of Montana Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Section 24.301.206.
• Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis.

License or Certificate:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record at the time of hire and have the ability to obtain a valid MT driver’s license within six months of hire.
• Possession of ICC Residential and Commercial Plans Examiner certification is required
• Additional ICC Plans Examiner certifications (i.e. Accessibility, Energy, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical), is highly desirable

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit, stand, walk kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, see, hear, and lift up to 25 lbs. Ability to travel to different sites and locations. General office environment with some outdoor exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, mechanical hazards and electrical hazards.

Safety

Performs all functions in the safest possible manner and according to policies and procedures. Participates fully with safety trainings. Reports unsafe work conditions and practices, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near-misses as soon as possible to assigned supervisor.