Plans Reviewer en City of Asheville, NC

About the Department

About Our Opportunity 
The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Plans Reviewer position in the Development
Services Department.  An employee in this class performs technical research and inspections work for the 
Development Services Department with a focus on building safety plans review.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.

- Receives, reviews and analyzes routine building site and construction plans and architectural drawings submitted
for permit to determine compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances: reviews and analyzes code compliance
of mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, fire suppression systems, and gas/fuel installations,
and related systems; receives applications and coordinates plan reviews for new construction of single to four family
dwellings, small commercial new construction, small additions, minor alterations, and repairs or existing structures; 
approves or rejects construction plans as appropriate; calculates development fees; and forwards permits and 
approved plans to contractors.
- Issues permits for approved building permit applications and Certificates of Occupancies: maintains daily logs of
work activities; prepares and scans files; enters information into database; monitors permitting deadlines; and
notifies permit holder of renewal requirements.
- Provides information and technical assistance concerning code requirements: discusses problem areas with
property owners and contractors; makes safety suggestions and recommends solutions to problems; and responds
to questions or complaints concerning building codes or code violations.
- Interprets, administers, and enforces the provisions of applicable local, state, and federal building and development
codes: researches code-related issues, as needed; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or
violations.
- Maintains records of all plans review activities: prepares, submits, and files inspection reports, permits, building
plans, and other relevant documents; and retains and purges documentation in accordance with rules and
regulations regarding records retention.
- Performs customer service functions by telephone by electronic means and in person: provides information and assistance related to
plans review services, activities, procedures, forms, or other issues; responds to complaints; researches problems;
and initiates problem resolution.
- Performs related duties in support of department operations: may assign reviews in the absence of the Plan Review
Coordinator; and creates guides, handouts, and other collateral materials.
- Maintains a current, comprehensive knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, principles, and
practices relating to federal, state, and local building/construction codes; reads professional literature; maintains
professional affiliations; and attends meetings, workshops, hearings, and training sessions as required.
- Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, contractors, builders, engineers, architects, the public,
outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of
work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
- Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated
timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains
as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, construction drawings, engineering reports, permit
applications, review comments, product technical documentation, and other documentation; compiles data for
further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy
records.
- Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet,
database, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to
complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:
Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree in Construction Technology, Drafting, or a related field required; supplemented by one year of
experience in one or more building trades, drafting and building plan creation, or related field; or any equivalent
combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for
this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license. 
Plans reviewers are required to attain and hold state-issued certifications in  four trades; building, electrical,
plumbing and mechanical.  Each certificate is regulated by the North Carolina Code Officials Qualifications Board.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential
functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary
to function effectively in the position.

Other Qualifications

Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria.
Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation
to identify and select alternatives.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over
others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the
responsibilities of the job.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control
the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and
information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability
to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may
include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes,
weights, and measures.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions
furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or
modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving
evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may
involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks
may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors,
sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental
conditions.