Plan Check Engineer

Under direct or general supervision, the Plan Check Engineer performs various professional field and office engineering work related to the Building and Safety Division. The Plan Check Engineer performs a variety of professional duties involved in performing engineering reviews and plan check reviews of residential and non-residential grading and building construction plans for compliance with all State and City codes, ordinances and regulations; coordinates with other departments and agencies for necessary approvals; facilitates issuance of grading and building permits; provides professional assistance to the Department, the City Council, and others in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Be a registered California civil or structural engineer with experience in structural, design, plan review for building code, and life safety compliance
• Have the ability to communicate code compliance items effectively to design professionals and homeowners alike
• Have experience in dealing with various agencies pertaining to building construction
• Be able to assist design and construction industry professionals through the permit approval process
• Have the ability to give general direction to Permit Counter staff
• Have the ability to review and approve simple projects at the public counter

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reviews and analyzes commercial and complex residential building plans, structural calculations, specifications, and engineering reports for conformance with structural design, zoning, grading, and other applicable codes, ordinances, and accepted design and construction practices.

• Checks plans to determine loading on roofs, walls, and floors, type of structural connections, and adequacy of design to meet earthquake, flood zone, wind load, gravity, and material stress requirements. 

• Coordinates and facilitates meetings to confer with engineers, architects, contractors, designers, and others in relaying and acquiring information, communicating information on design, engineering, and regulations governing building design and construction.

• Analyzes building designs to ensure basic engineering principles have been achieved; provides information on City development requirements. 

• Performs field inspections; works and responds to staff and the public to address and correct areas of concern that arise during plan check, inspection, and construction activities; reviews the adequacy and safety of structural problems that arise during construction and recommends solutions.

• Researches, analyzes, and reviews legislative proposals and new code requirements, construction methods, building materials, and plan review criteria; develops recommendations for policy and procedure changes and implements upon approval.

• Coordinates plan review with plan check consultants; provides interpretations of structural code requirements; reviews plan check letters and other deliverables submitted by consultants for conformance to City standards and to ensure comments are clear, specific, and relevant.

• Drafts a variety of written communications including analytical reports, correspondence, and revisions to plans, policies, and procedures; prepares reports pertaining to structural engineering problems and building code enforcement.

• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in building construction methods, materials, and requirements.  

• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Performs related duties as required.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil or structural engineering or related field.

Experience: 

Three (3) years of experience in the review and design of structural engineering plans and specifications.

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, to be maintained throughout employment.

• Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer (PE), to be maintained throughout employment.

• Certification as a Building Plans Examiner issued by the International Code Council or other authorizing agency within six (6) months from appointment. 

Knowledge of:

• Structural engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures.

• Building construction methods and materials. 

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, and standards related to plan checking.

• Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding architecture or engineering.

• Practices of researching architectural, structural, and building design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective reports.

• Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.

• Research methods and sources of information related to plan checking.?

• Principles and procedures of record-keeping and preparation of correspondence and reports.

• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. 

• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Examine and correct building plans, calculations, and specifications in a uniform and accurate manner.

• Make structural and required mathematical calculations necessary to determine the adherence of structural plans to code requirements.

• Read, understand, and interpret engineering construction plans, technical drawings, specifications, studies, reports, permits, and other documents.?

• Review and approve the work of contract consultants.

• 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.

• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials. 

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Salary : $125,143 - $163,283