Building Plans Examiner I
Position Information
What We Offer
When you join Permit Sonoma’s challenging and rewarding work environment, you become a valuable team member and gain the satisfaction of knowing you're working together to better your community. Through on-the-job training, experience, and the support of management, a Building Plans Examiner I will gain the skills and abilities needed to advance their career. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Building Plans Examiner II ($6,289 - 7,644/month)
Join Permit Sonoma
Sonoma County is a vibrant, growing community with rolling hills, forests, and a staggering coastline. As the region’s largest employer, the County of Sonoma offers a level of career diversity that is as expansive as the county itself. Centrally located in the county seat of Santa Rosa, California, Permit Sonoma reviews, permits, and inspects virtually any construction or land development that takes place in the unincorporated area of Sonoma County (outside the nine incorporated cities). Please visit Permit Sonoma’s website to learn more about the valuable services they provide the community we serve - our community!
As a Building Plans Examiner I in Permit Sonoma, you will learn to review construction documents and complex plans for compliance with building codes, ordinances, and regulations such as fire safe and state accessibility standards; and check geotechnical and soils reports for compliance with state building standards. You will also work with the public to receive applications, calculate fees, explain procedures, and provide consultation, information, and educational services regarding general code questions. Additionally, Building Plans Examiners’ review and maintain forms, files, and other necessary electronic records.
The ideal candidates will possess:
- Knowledge of elementary structural engineering techniques, building codes, plans, and the preparation of plans
- Experience keeping accurate records and preparing detailed documents and reports
- Exceptional customer service skills, with the ability to timely and professionally address customer needs
- Experience and discernment to know when to refer issues to a more senior examiner
- The aptitude for effectively managing work priorities and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain constructive working relationships
- The empathy needed to effectively respond to emergency situations such as fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. with focus, initiative, and compassion for those affected
- A Building Plans Examiner certification
Please note that while not required at the time of application submission, International Code Council (ICC, previously ICBO) Plans Examiner Certification is required within two years of starting employment in this position.
Permit Sonoma is currently recruiting to fill Building Plans Examiner positions at either the I, II, or Senior level. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of experience in building construction or engineering work which involved an understanding of building plans and codes and the preparation of plans, would provide such opportunity.
Desirable Certification: ICBO Plans Examiner Certificate upon appointment. Such certification is required within two years of starting employment in this class.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to: read and interpret blueprints and building plans and specifications; interpret and enforce laws and regulations; establish and maintain effective relationships with builders, engineers, architects, applicants, and other employees; keep records and prepare reports; utilize electronic information systems and analyze and interpret such information.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting-a-Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process