Plans Examiner / Building Inspector III

Summary

Under general direction, reviews construction plans for commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings for compliance with all, codes, regulations, rules, laws, and ordinances. Approve or deny plans. Attend pre-design and plan review meetings with developers and contractors.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the advanced journey-level class in the Building Inspector/Plans Examiner series that performs the full range of duties related to participating in and conducting a variety of combination inspections and/or plan review for the City. Responsibilities include conducting inspections and/or plan review of residential, commercial, industrial, and multi-family sites, enforcing compliance with regulatory codes, laws, and ordinances, and ensuring conformance with approved plans specifications, standards, permits, and licensing.  Employees work independently on plan review and/or field inspections, representing the Building Official in the field, and make decisions exercising technical judgment.  Incumbents consult with the Building Official on unusual cases, or cases having policy or enforcement implications.  

Examples of Duties

This description covers the most significant essential and auxiliary duties performed by the position, but does not include other occasional work, which may be similar, related to, or a logical assignment for the position.

Essential Duties:

1. Perform plan reviews and inspections on commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential buildings, for compliance with city ordinances, and state building, mechanical, energy, fire/life/safety codes, and applicable laws, rules, and regulations according to established time deadlines. Write plan review reports.

2. Approve or deny plans for issuance. Identify plan deficiencies and notify applicants of required alterations. Work with applicants to resolve problems. Determine the value of buildings for permit fees and approve building permits.

3. Participate in pre-development and facility review meetings addressing code issues or plan deficiencies.

4. Provide technical assistance to the public and construction representatives on code questions plan review and processes. Assist applicants in completing the building permit process.
5. Maintain and file applications, documentation, and records. Enter plans review information into computer system. Initiate plan check letters as required.
6. Conduct field inspections as directed.

7. Assist with permit application processing.
8. Coordinate with other divisions and governmental agencies related to commercial, industrial, and multi-family building projects.

9. Provide code information and answer code questions by phone and at the building counter as requested by the general public, contractors, and design professionals.

10. Participate in division operational processes including procedure development and implementation. 

11. Represent the city to the public in operational functions as required. Advance and protect the interests of the city and its citizens in all matters. 

12. Participate, in the city Emergency Management program including planning, classes, training sessions, exercises and emergency events as required.

13. Maintain files and records to ensure easy retrieval, safety and integrity of files and records, in accordance with established retention guidelines.    

14. Represents the City of Sherwood by maintaining cooperative working relationships with City staff, other organizations, and the general public.  May serve as a member of various City committees as assigned.  

15. Act with respect and integrity, promote, and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

16. Follow all safety rules and procedures for work areas.    

Auxiliary Job Duties:  Provide assistance to other staff as workload and staffing levels dictate.  Maintain proficiency by attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.   Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner. May perform other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of: Safety standards and work procedures related to building inspection. State and local building codes, ordinances, rules, laws, and regulations governing plans examination for commercial, industrial, multi-family, and residential buildings. Practices and principles of structural engineering, inspection, construction, or architecture, including safety design as related to plans examination. State and local codes, ordinances, rules, laws, and regulations governing structural engineering, construction, and inspection. Techniques and methods of construction plan review and inspection. Commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential construction materials and methods. State and local mechanical codes, ordinances, rules, laws, and regulations and related mechanical systems. Rules and procedures for the administration of building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes for commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential buildings. Issues and trends in the construction industry. 

Ability to: Interact effectively with the public and employees; read and interpret building plans, project specifications, and industrial blueprints; read, interpret, and apply applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations for the review of building construction plans; understand and check structural engineering computations; learn to operate a computer terminal; must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, work effectively in a community of diverse interest, respond to rapid changes in priorities and community needs, and deal patiently, courteously, accurately, and conscientiously with all parties; and enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.

Education and Experience: Typical education includes an Associate degree in building inspection technology or a related field. Typical experience includes four or more years of progressively responsible experience in plans examination, or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above duties. 

Special Requirements/Licenses: Possess a valid Oregon state driver’s license or the ability to obtain within thirty days of employment. Following certifications are required:  

• State of Oregon A-level Plans Examiner or ICC* Building Plans Examiner certification.
• State of Oregon Fire Life Safety Plans Examiner or ICC* Fire Plans Examiner certification.
• State of Oregon Residential Plans Examiner or ICC* Residential Building inspector certification.
• State of Oregon A-level Structural Inspector or ICC* Commercial Building inspector certification.
• State of Oregon A-level Mechanical Inspector or ICC* Commercial Mechanical Inspector certification.
• State of Oregon Inspector certification.

Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge of municipal government functional areas; State of Oregon Residential Structural or ICC* Residential Building Inspector certification; State of Oregon Residential Mechanical or ICC* Residential Mechanical Inspector certification; State of Oregon Post Earthquake Damage Inspector registration.