What are the responsibilities and job description for the Building Plans Examiner I/II position at City of Novato?
Job Description
Come Join Our Team!
THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING
FOR
BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER I/II
THE POSITION
Under direction, reviews plans and specifications for proposed construction or alteration of buildings and structures to ensure compliance with California building codes, statutes and local codes and ordinances, including conventional construction fire and life safety, and accessibility compliance; inspects buildings being constructed, altered, or repaired to determine conformance with codes and approved plans and specifications as required; and performs related work as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Novato is looking for a self-motivated individual that thrives in problem solving. Candidates must be proficient in written and verbal communication. The ideal candidate for this position will possess working knowledge and experience with the California Building Code Standards and working with the public.
THE CITY
One of the Bay Area's premier communities, Novato is located in Marin County 29 miles north of San Francisco. The second largest city in the County, Novato has a current population of about 56,000 and covers 28 square miles.
Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational, recreational, retail, and business opportunities. The residents are actively involved in important local decisions about quality of life issues and the future direction of their city as the City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are vigorously debated and discussed. The community fosters a small town atmosphere due to its low population density, high amount of open space and parks, vibrant downtown, and engaged community members.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Building Plans Examiner I--This is the entry-level in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks. The class of Building Plans Examiner I is considered to be in a training status, and assignments are performed within the procedural framework established by higher-level employees. However, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing responsibility and is expected to be performing at the II or journey level within the prescribed time frame.
Building Plans Examiner II--This is the journey-level class in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Plans Examiner I, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience performing all aspects of building plans examiner responsibilities. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee consistently performs the full range of duties assigned for the class and meet the class's qualification standards. Work in this class is distinguished from the Building Plans Examiner I by the higher level of discretion and independent judgment required in performing the full range of routine to complex plans examining duties.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Building Plans Examiner I
Receives immediate supervision from the Chief Building Official.
Building Plans Examiner II
Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official.
May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.
Example of Duties
Essential Function Statements:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Typical Qualifications
Building Plans Examiner I
Knowledge Of:
Experience:
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact, including one (1) year working in community development, building permitting, plan checking, building inspection, construction engineering, or a similar field.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.
License or Certificate
In addition to the qualifications of Building Plans Examiner I:
Knowledge Of:
Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact, including three (3) years working in community development, building permitting, plan checking, building inspection, construction engineering, or a similar field.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.
License or Certificate
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Office/field and construction environment. Work indoors is in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with natural or fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to external environment when going to outlying offices and meetings. The performance of outdoor work requires exposure to a variety of weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, intense sun); exposure to potentially hazardous substances and chemicals, and work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person, email, and telephone inquiries.
Physical Conditions:
Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, or walking for prolonged periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to access enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
The job may involve fieldwork requiring walking in field and construction environments.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
First Review Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025
Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.
The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary:
Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.
9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays. Employees work nine hours per day and eight hours per day on the working Friday.
Benefits:
Click here for the City's Benefit Information page.
Click here for the current SEIU #1021 MOU
The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is either 2% at 55; employee contributes 9.5% of salary, or 2% at 62; employee contributes 7.25% of salary, depending on eligibility.
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive up to $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings.
Other Benefits Information:
I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.
I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.
Come Join Our Team!
THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING
FOR
BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER I/II
- Position offered will be based on experience and training*
- This recruitment remains open and ongoing until filled*
THE POSITION
Under direction, reviews plans and specifications for proposed construction or alteration of buildings and structures to ensure compliance with California building codes, statutes and local codes and ordinances, including conventional construction fire and life safety, and accessibility compliance; inspects buildings being constructed, altered, or repaired to determine conformance with codes and approved plans and specifications as required; and performs related work as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Novato is looking for a self-motivated individual that thrives in problem solving. Candidates must be proficient in written and verbal communication. The ideal candidate for this position will possess working knowledge and experience with the California Building Code Standards and working with the public.
THE CITY
One of the Bay Area's premier communities, Novato is located in Marin County 29 miles north of San Francisco. The second largest city in the County, Novato has a current population of about 56,000 and covers 28 square miles.
Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational, recreational, retail, and business opportunities. The residents are actively involved in important local decisions about quality of life issues and the future direction of their city as the City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are vigorously debated and discussed. The community fosters a small town atmosphere due to its low population density, high amount of open space and parks, vibrant downtown, and engaged community members.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Building Plans Examiner I--This is the entry-level in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks. The class of Building Plans Examiner I is considered to be in a training status, and assignments are performed within the procedural framework established by higher-level employees. However, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing responsibility and is expected to be performing at the II or journey level within the prescribed time frame.
Building Plans Examiner II--This is the journey-level class in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Plans Examiner I, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience performing all aspects of building plans examiner responsibilities. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee consistently performs the full range of duties assigned for the class and meet the class's qualification standards. Work in this class is distinguished from the Building Plans Examiner I by the higher level of discretion and independent judgment required in performing the full range of routine to complex plans examining duties.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Building Plans Examiner I
Receives immediate supervision from the Chief Building Official.
Building Plans Examiner II
Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official.
May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.
Example of Duties
Essential Function Statements:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Reviews and evaluates plans, structural engineering calculations, soil analysis reports, and other reports for residential and commercial, industrial projects to ascertain conformance to Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes, and pertinent provisions of City, State, and County health and environmental codes, laws and regulations.
- Prepares plan check reports indicating deficiencies in plans, structural engineering calculations, soil analysis reports, and other reports, and ensures that requisite corrections are met.
- Approves plans that comply; issues permits for construction.
- Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public on proposed projects to resolve unusual problems.
- Performs investigation of field problems relating to building code compliance; collects the necessary data to develop recommendations; meets with the appropriate parties to discuss the implementation of recommendations; consults with architects, engineers, and contractors concerning code requirements and building design; seeks to solve plans review problems as necessary; suggests corrections of defects or inadequacies found that require deficiencies be corrected to meet requirements of applicable codes.
- Answers questions and advises the public by telephone, email, and at the public counter concerning codes and plan check reports; advises building inspectors of unusual design, construction, or installation problems.
- Classifies and logs new projects for plan checks; creates plan check files; enters initial site data and permit data on computer; revises data as project status and details change.
- Interacts with staff from other City departments involved in the plan review process.
- Reviews the work of outside plan check engineers and consultants.
- Responds to verbal or written inquiries and provides technical assistance to engineers, architects, contractors, and other City personnel.
- Reviews and verifies calculations on hydrology and hydraulic studies; reviews plans and reports for engineering standards and appropriate codes and ordinances.
- Reviews and determines fees associated with development projects; assigns building and street addresses.
- Coordinates plan check activities with other City functions and outside agencies.
- Attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
- Preforms on-call and standby inspections requested by the fire district and police department any time of the day or night to determine the safety of structures following an emergency or natural disaster.
- Performs administrative and field inspection duties.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Typical Qualifications
Building Plans Examiner I
Knowledge Of:
- Principles and practices of building construction and safety standards.
- Procedures and techniques of plan review.
- Types of building construction materials and methods.
- Pertinent codes, laws, and regulations governing building construction, including building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, housing, and energy codes.
- State and Federal laws and regulations applicable to building construction.
- Research methods and sources of information related to building code enforcement.
- Computer usage and related applications.
- Read and interpret blueprints and construction drawings.
- Examine building plans, elementary calculations, and specifications in a uniform and accurate manner.
- Learn to interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
- Apply City codes and policies regarding building and zoning.
- Learn to determine if construction systems conform to City code regulations.
- Locate, read, and interpret building plans, maps, engineering calculations, soil reports, project specifications, and industrial blueprints.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Explain building inspection requirements, policies, and decisions to the public in a courteous and effective manner.
- Make accurate arithmetical computations.
- Write concise and accurate reports and correspondence on administrative and technical issues.
- Provide technical assistance to building division staff related to the plan checking function.
- Operate a personal computer, utilizing standard and specialized software.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience:
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact, including one (1) year working in community development, building permitting, plan checking, building inspection, construction engineering, or a similar field.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.
License or Certificate
- Possession of a valid California driver's license by the date of appointment.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within twelve months of hire, certification as a Residential Plans Examiner (R3) by the ICC or other equivalent certification, along with participation in the divisions continuing education and certification program.
In addition to the qualifications of Building Plans Examiner I:
Knowledge Of:
- Principles and techniques of building plan examination work.
- Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.
- Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
- Research methods and sources of information related to building code enforcement.
- Legal procedures involved in code enforcement.
- Basic engineering concepts related to building construction.
- Basic supervisory principles and practices.
- Apply technical knowledge and follow proper examination techniques.
- Detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
- Read and interpret complex building plans, specifications, and building codes.
- Advise on requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
- Provide technical assistance to other building examination staff in the assigned area of specialization.
- Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
- Determine whether construction systems conform to City code requirements.
- Exercise independent judgment related to building plans examining issues.
Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact, including three (3) years working in community development, building permitting, plan checking, building inspection, construction engineering, or a similar field.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.
License or Certificate
- Possession of a valid California driver's license by the date of appointment.
- Possession of certification as a Residential Plans Examiner (R3) by the ICC or other equivalent certification. Combination Plans Examiner Certificate (C3) within 18 months of date of hire issued by the International Code Council (ICC) is required along with participation in the divisions continuing education and certification program.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Office/field and construction environment. Work indoors is in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with natural or fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to external environment when going to outlying offices and meetings. The performance of outdoor work requires exposure to a variety of weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, intense sun); exposure to potentially hazardous substances and chemicals, and work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person, email, and telephone inquiries.
Physical Conditions:
Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, or walking for prolonged periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to access enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
The job may involve fieldwork requiring walking in field and construction environments.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
First Review Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025
Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.
The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary:
Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.
9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays. Employees work nine hours per day and eight hours per day on the working Friday.
Benefits:
Click here for the City's Benefit Information page.
Click here for the current SEIU #1021 MOU
The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is either 2% at 55; employee contributes 9.5% of salary, or 2% at 62; employee contributes 7.25% of salary, depending on eligibility.
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive up to $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings.
Other Benefits Information:
- Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
- Long-term Disability Insurance is provided as an optional benefit. Employee pays $9.78 per month if opting in.
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) is provided. Employee pays 0.6% of salary (pre-tax).
- Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
- Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
- The City does not participate in Social Security.
- The City offers 14 paid holidays;
- 80 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 21 days for 20 years of service); Employees currently working for another agency (state, federal or local) will have their vacation rate adjusted to account for their years of service with that public agency.
- New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date. (unused leave applied to service credit at retirement).
I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.
- Yes
- No
I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
Salary : $10 - $250