Senior Plans Examiner

POSITION

The City of Murrieta is hiring a Senior Plans Examiner for our Development Services Department, Building & Safety Division. This is a leadership role for someone who thrives on teamwork — you'll guide and mentor our plan-examining staff, work closely with the Building Official and other departments to keep projects moving, and be a clear, approachable communicator for architects, contractors, and the public navigating the permit process. If you're a collaborative problem-solver who wants to help build a stronger team while shaping some of Murrieta's most complex development projects, we want to hear from you.

Work Schedule: This position is currently assigned a regular 9/80 work schedule; however, the schedule is subject to change based on operational needs.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to enable qualified individuals to perform the position’s essential functions. The omission of a specific duty does not preclude it from being assigned if it is similar, related, or logically aligned with the role’s overall responsibilities.

• Monitors activities of the plan checking work unit; recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on activities and projects; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures
• Oversees and performs difficult structural analysis and reviews plan check submittal documents for permit applications for complex construction, alteration, or repair of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings for compliance with the City, State, and Federal codes and regulations
• Reviews and evaluates construction documents including plans, drawings, blueprints, specifications, engineering calculations, and energy calculations for compliance; makes judgments as to whether structural designs or plans conform to applicable codes
• Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, homeowners, and others relative to construction or building projects; coordinates plan examining activities with City departments and other agencies; confers and corresponds with other professional personnel in connection with building code interpretation and application
• Assists building inspectors in the field where engineering problems are encountered; interprets building construction plans; advises on engineering matters and technical judgments
• Responds to public inquiries over the telephone or at the counter concerning questions regarding permit processing, building, or other construction-related questions; performs plan reviews at the customer service counter for the general public; assists applicants in achieving compliance with various codes and regulations; resolves disputes
• Provides technical direction to less experienced staff in terms of city policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; assists front counter technicians in the review of structural aspects and other applicable elements of over-the-counter permitting; ensures uniform application of the appropriate codes, rules, and regulations
• Attends Development Review Committee meetings as a representative of the Building Department to discuss exhibits regarding the Planning Department's entitlement process; reviews exhibits for completeness and compliance with mandated rules, regulations, and codes; composes incomplete comments or conditions of approval and forwards to the Planning Department for project status updating and/or approval for entitlement processing; attends applicant meetings to discuss development case reviews and respond to questions
• Reviews engineered precise grading plans for on-site accessibility components functional layout, detailing, and correlation with architectural site plans; composes review comments and enters into software system; coordinates plan review process and interacts with design professionals until clearances/approvals are obtained
• Reviews engineered civil design plans for multi-building and multi-parcel on-site, underground "wet" utilities, e.g. potable water and domestic sewer; composes review comments and enters into software system; coordinates plan review process and interacts with design professionals until approvals are obtained, and permits are issued
• Prepares plan review correspondence to permit applicants; documents plan deficiencies, required corrections, and engineering details
• Coordinates project approvals, building permits, and plan reviews with staff, other departments, and outside agencies
• Assists in fee structuring for assigned activities and projects; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine plan check reports
• Attends a variety of meetings to review and discuss plans, documents, and code requirements; performs field reviews as necessary
• Prepares reports and correspondence pertaining to structural engineering problems and building code enforcement; maintains records of plan-checking activities
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Performs related duties as required

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED), supplemented by college-level coursework in civil or structural engineering, architecture, or a related field and
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in plan checking of complex commercial or industrial structures and/or the enforcement of building codes for a public agency

• Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed.

• Certification as a Plans Examiner from the International Code Council

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

Disaster Service Workers

In accordance with Government Code 3100, this position is declared to be a disaster service worker subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Tier 1 – Basic Pre-Employment Requirements
Final candidates must successfully complete a basic pre-employment screening process, which includes a Department of Justice Live Scan (DOJ/LS) background check and a non-safety pre-employment physical examination to ensure the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Principles of providing functional direction and training
• Basic principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability
• Principles, practices, and methods of structural and building plan review
• Practices for documenting plan checking procedures and correcting discrepancies
• Fundamental principles, techniques, policies, and procedures of civil engineering
• Construction methods, materials, tools, and equipment used for complex residential, commercial, and industrial construction, and principles of structural engineering
• Methods, materials, tools and safety practices of the building, plumbing, and electrical trades
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility, including building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life safety, energy, and related codes
• Legal processes and considerations involved in prosecuting violations of the building codes and ordinances
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications, and codes
• Examine and correct building plans, calculations and specifications in a rapid, uniform and accurate manner
• Analyze, evaluate and solve or recommend effective solutions to building and code problems
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed
• Evaluate legal violations and take appropriate action
• Make structural calculations necessary to determine the adherence of structural plans to code requirements
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials
• Establish and maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. 

The examination process may include a combination of appraisal interviews, performance tests, and writing exercises designed to evaluate the candidates' skills, training, and experience. 

Successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list. The City reserves the right to merge eligibility lists as needed. Final selection is contingent upon successful completion of all required pre-employment requirements. 

Located just north of San Diego County, the City of Murrieta is home to approximately 120,000 people. Central to all of Southern California, residents of Murrieta live in one of the safest cities in the U.S. With top-ranked schools, 53 parks, and 1,300 acres of parks, trails, and open space, it is consistently ranked the top place to live in SW Riverside County. With a dynamic business environment, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, and a high median income. Murrieta offers its residents an exceptional quality of life in an engaged and connected community.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Organization: Murrieta General Employees Association

Adopted: June 2018