Building Plans Examiner

Classification Title: Building Plans Examiner, C26

Location: 440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

As a Building Plans Examiner, you will perform highly advanced technical work reviewing a combination of commercial and residential construction documents and related issues for compliance with the building, life safety, accessibility and energy codes, flood regulations, including other Building Division assignments related to construction and land use codes or ordinances; ensures application of state, County, and municipal related codes when performing plan reviews for a wide range of commercial, multi-family residential, residential, or other buildings or structures and the timely completion of inter/intra-department or municipal reviews prior to the issuance of permits; examines requests and situations that may include County requirements as well as other municipalities’ ordinances; carries out discussion, important interactions, and communications between architects, engineers, contractors, municipal staff, and officials to explain codes and resolve code problems related to construction plans or drawings and related matters; verifies code conformance of construction drawings prior to approval of the drawings necessary for the issuance of permits with emphasis on comprehensive, professional, and timely support to customers on both complex and routine services.

As a Building Plans Examiner, you will verify the compliance of construction documents with applicable building codes, regulations and standards. Represent / advocate for Building Services with various communities, regulatory venues, and enforcement actions.

Essential Job Functions

• Verify the compliance of construction documents with applicable building codes, regulations and standards and provide comments in oral and written forms.
• Represent/advocate for Building Services with various communities, regulatory venues and enforcement actions.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Position Specific Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience as a building inspector, contractor, or plan reviewer that includes at least 1 year performing complex commercial or residential plan review, or completion of 1-year of training to perform advanced commercial examiner tasks; or
• Associate degree in an engineering, architecture, construction, or related field, or completion of a two-year vocational or technical diploma, or certification in a related field and at least 4 years of experience as described above.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction, or related field and at least 2 years of experience as described above.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

• Active Certification with the State of Florida as a Plans Examiner with qualification in Building at time of hire or the ability to obtain a Provisional Building Plans Examiner License within 60 days of hire/promotion and an Active Certification with the State of Florida as a Plans Examiner with qualification in Building within one year of hire/promotion.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Driver's License upon hire with eligibility based upon evaluation of a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) driving report.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Highly Desirable

• Active Certification with the State of Florida as a Building Inspector
• Active Plans Examiner Certifications other than Building.
• Active Certification with the State of Florida as a Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Plumbing Inspector.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge adequate for reviewing construction and a general knowledge of plumbing, electrical and mechanical trades, and related regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret the commercial and residential building, life safety, accessibility and energy codes, and flood regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret applicable zoning and land use codes including those of municipalities including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local flood regulations and ordinances.
• Knowledge of the commercial and residential building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes.
• Knowledge regarding permits, requirements, fees, and overall permit processes.
• Knowledge of the methods and practices involved in commercial construction, residential construction, and related matters including standard testing methods.
• Knowledge of the practical relationship of commercial construction, residential construction, building materials, and methods of compliance with building codes and regulations.
• Skill in enforcing codes and regulations with tact and uniformity.
• Ability to answer inquiries regarding permits, requirements, fees, and overall permit processes.
• Ability to apply computer applications and software.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to communicate, apply, and enforce regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Ability to discuss and effectively communicate commercial construction and design methods relating to the codes with architects, engineers, contractors, division personnel, municipal officials, and customers.
• Ability to read and interpret complex commercial and residential building drawings and related documents to identify and recognize code violations, solve problems, or recommend solutions to division problems.
• Ability to deliver accurate and understandable construction design information relating to codes and regulations with architects, engineers, contractors, and division staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, builders, fellow employees, municipal staff and officials, and the general public.

Physical/Mental Demands

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.

• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recordings on transcription device.

• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.

• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.