Plans Examiner

The City of Norwalk is currently looking for a Plans Examiner to join their Community Development team. If you are someone who is interested in building and safety, this could be an exciting opportunity for you.

As a Plans Examiner, you will be responsible for ensuring the structural soundness and compliance of various buildings, ranging from residential to commercial and industrial structures. You will be reviewing construction documents, making sure that they adhere to all relevant codes, ordinances, and regulations, and providing assistance to the public regarding permit processes and code interpretation. This job is perfect for individuals who are passionate about ensuring safety and making a difference in their community.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Review and check plans and specifications for buildings and structures proposed for construction or alteration; check plans for compliance with California building codes, state and local ordinances and codes, and accepted engineering practices; perform and review engineering calculations necessary for determining loads and stresses in accordance with specific code criteria, tables, pre-determined formulas or engineering analysis; and approves plans meeting code and ordinance requirements. Coordinate requested plan reviews with other City departments and perform plan reviews for new development occurring within the City.

Perform technical plan review of residential, commercial, high-rise, and industrial buildings and facilities plans, designs and overall compliance.   Respond to inquiries from engineers, architects, designers and other applicants regarding interpretation of technical code requirements and advise those not in compliance with required codes where designs do not comply with requirements and regulations.  Evaluate construction plans for issuance of permits and collection of applicable fees; accurately input work and records into computerized system(s) for tracking and reporting.

Conduct field inspections as required of proposed construction; advise applicable personnel and other City staff regarding fire and life safety, structural, electrical, energy, accessibility, plumbing and mechanical issues and code interpretations; refer, discuss and receive instruction on designs which are of borderline acceptability or unique and highly complex; reject substandard plans with annotation of reasons for disapproval; advise applicants of changes necessary to bring plans to compliance; screen plans at the counter, provide information at the counter, by telephone, and through correspondence concerning building requirements, regulations, and fees; contact building inspectors regarding special problems relating to plan checking activities; maintain records and reports; perform related duties as assigned.

Exhibits a consistently high level of customer service skills by working cooperatively with internal and external customers at the counter, via telephone and computer technology regarding the application and interpretation of codes and regulations enforced by the division. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of plan checking. Submit reports to the Building & Safety manager regarding workload and process statistics, new products or situations, and code interpretation issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles and methods of building construction; methods and materials used in building construction and structural design including properties, application and strength of building materials; building design and engineering technology; Engineering mathematics including algebra, trigonometry, plane and solid geometry; California Building, Electric, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes and state energy conservation and utilization statutes; building materials and practices in the plumbing, mechanical and electrical construction field. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to: deal effectively with developers, architects, engineers, and the general public; schedule work, set priorities, and meet established deadlines; interpret and apply codes, regulations, statutes, and ordinances relevant to building projects; read, understand, interpret and explain blueprints, building plans, specifications and engineering calculations; analyze building plans to identify deviations from regulations, make recommendations and under direction take appropriate action.

Develop and apply creative solutions to issues raised during the plan review process; apply load path, life safety, energy conservation, etc. to resolve construction-related problems; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. The ideal candidate is collaborative, inclusive, and committed to exceptional service.

Education and/or Experience

Four (4) years of professional journey level experience in plan review and inspection of buildings and systems of compliance with all California fire and life safety and/or building codes supplemented with major coursework in building or construction inspection, planning, land use, civil engineering, construction management or closely related field, including one (1) year in the public sector.  An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying; a Bachelor's degree is desirable.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Must be certified as a Residential Plans Examiner by the International Code Council (ICC) by time of appointment and ICC-certified as a Commercial Plans Examiner within one year of appointment; alternatively, applicant can be a credentialed architect licensed in the State of California in accordance with Section 5500 of the Business and Professions Code or professional engineer licensed in the State of California in accordance with Section 6700 of the Business and Professions Code.

Certification as a California Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is highly desirable.

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.

Physical Demands

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments or construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; may need to wear a hard hat during inspection of some job sites; and frequently required to talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret statistical data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and apply mathematical reasoning and abstract statistical concepts; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with staff and others encountered in the course of work in achieving compliance with standards and requirements.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, airborne particles, or risk of electrical shock. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Employee occasionally works around loud noise levels, interacts with officials and the public and occasionally deals with dissatisfied or difficult individuals.

SELECTION PROCESS

Apply online at http://www.norwalkca.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources.  Employment application and supplemental questions must be completed.

 Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City application.  Applicant must be specific in describing qualifications for this position on application.  Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.

 Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  Faxed materials or postmarks will not be accepted.  Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement.

 Candidates with qualifications that best relate to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuation in the selection process.  The selection process will include an oral interview and other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.

For a complete copy of the class specification, please click here.

The City provides preference to military veterans under consideration for initial employment. To claim veteran's preference an applicant must submit their most recent DD214 form. An eligible veteran is one who has served in the United States armed forces and who has received an honorable discharge.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be requested by calling the Department of Human Resources at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled examination/interview date. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Norwalk, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.