Plans Examiner bei City of Lake Stevens, WA

About the Department

NOW HIRING!

This position performs as a Plans Examiner.  The position reviews commercial, multi-family, mixed use, and residential plans/specifications for compliance with building, mechanical, plumbing and related code requirements and other regulations. Field inspections will be required for this position as secondary duty as needed.  The incumbent will assist staff, architects, designers, engineers, contractors and the public on building code related questions and issues.

This position will be able to interpret and apply the state and city codes for building, mechanical, plumbing, energy, and minor site grading/site development requirements by reviewing plans and supporting documents (structural calculations, energy forms, geotechnical reports, engineering reports, manufacture specifications etc.).  

Ancillary inspection work is characterized by reviewing building plans and performing field inspections for compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical and energy codes, related city ordinances and safety standards; and participating in permitting operations and assists in maintaining inspection permit records.  

Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.

• Work-Life Balance - We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle. 
• Flexible Work Schedules- The city offers a variety of work schedules to includepotential hybrid/remote work dependent on meeting business necessities and supervisor approval.
• Work Where you Live!

• Retirement- through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Deferred Compensation- with city match.
• Excellent healthcare options-including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
• Paid leave- including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• Tuition reimbursement!
• See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees.

Position Duties

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

• Review all types of permits for residential buildings, including new construction, additions, and remodels, and grading/site development for completeness of information; review the plans for conformance with various city codes, identify plan discrepancies with established codes and regulations, and establish criteria for correcting non-compliance of codes before building permits are issued.
• Review assigned commercial plans, including new construction, remodels, plumbing and/or mechanical replacements, minor grading/site development, or re-roofs for code compliance.
• Communicate additional application requirements to applicants as needed, and coordinate plan submittals for permits with other divisions and departments.
• Participate in pre-application and pre-construction meetings as required.
• Provide information to architects, engineers and the public regarding code compliance and plan corrections; respond to public and contractor questions concerning interpretation of building codes and construction practices.
• Serve as liaison with other departments and/or divisions as necessary regarding code compliance as it relates to building code issues.
• Perform on-site residential and commercial building inspections during various stages of construction, remodeling and repair to ensure compliance with city codes and ordinances, safety standards, state and national codes, including the International Building, Residential and Mechanical codes, Uniform Plumbing code, Accessibility code, Washington State Energy Code and other adopted codes as needed.
• Inspect existing buildings and premises for changes of use, occupancy, or compliance with applicable codes and ordinances as needed.
• Inspect dangerous structures subject to condemnation for fire and life safety requirements; inspect damaged or deteriorating buildings to determine needed repairs; investigate alleged violations of building and land use ordinances as well as various other nuisance codes as assigned as needed. 
• Conduct research, write letters and prepare written reports; write detailed correction notices whenever code violations are discovered during building inspections and follow through to correct violations as needed.
• Enter all inspection reports and letters into the city’s permit tracking system and address filing system.
• Interpret and explain ordinances, codes and regulations; communicate with fire, law enforcement, water, sewer and other community and governmental agencies in the performance of building inspection.

Peripheral Duties:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Please see the attached questionnaire for position specific physical requirements and typical working conditions.  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described in the attached form are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions. Evening or variable hours to attend meetings may be required. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

EDUCATION:  High school or equivalent; and 

EXPERIENCE:  Minimum of least two (2) years of experience in plans examination AND two (2) years of experience in code compliance/building inspection or five years of journey level experience in general building construction, or equivalent experience in a related field. 

OR:  Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications.  Examples include:

Knowledge of:

• Building methods, techniques and materials, building codes and building inspections. 
• Applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations and procedures.
• Applicable building, zoning and other codes, regulations and policies.
• Changes in building and related codes and ordinances.
• Municipal government policies, procedures, and, structure; and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, accounting, and purchasing including preparation, management, monitoring, transfers, and reporting.
• Project management principles and techniques.
• Specialized software use as it applies to area of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, structural calculations, construction specifications, energy code compliance forms, and other documents relative to approval of building permit application. 
• Maintain regular, predictable and reliable attendance during scheduled hours.
• Use Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access to perform and present information and analyses. 
• Obtain and verify data, perform analysis and make recommendations.
• Maintain sustained attention to detail and accuracy and to work under the pressure of rigid deadlines.
• Communicate detailed information clearly and concisely.
• Work independently and make decisions within established guidelines; prioritize work to meet deadlines, while effectively managing multiple projects.
• Organize work for maximum efficiency.
• Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy with co-workers, elected officials, other agency staff, vendors, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain complex issues and applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers.
• Respond quickly and professionally to inquiries and issues.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Apply common sense in solving problems, including those where limited standardization exists.
• Compose, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, contracts, grievance responses, personnel policies, procedures, etc.
• Read, analyze, and interpret relevant publications, media information and other forms of information.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; draw and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations.
• Speak effectively and present information before groups of employees, managers, or officials.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION or OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid driver’s license and a driving record which meets the city’s requirements. Must be able to obtain State of Washington driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Two years college-level or trade school course work in structural engineering, electrical engineering, construction technology, architecture, or a related field, preferred.
• International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner Certification, required upon employment.
• International Building Code certifications: 
  • Residential Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Commercial Building Inspector
• Completion of position-relevant background check. 

Other Qualifications

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

 In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

• An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.