The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community, and home to over 80,000 residents. Redmond is the hub of an array of commerce and industry ranging from technology, aerospace, and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups. In this role, you will represent the city, and our values of service, integrity, accountability, belonging and stewardship.
The Planning Department is responding to the growing needs of the City. The fast-paced nature of our municipality drives innovation and efficiency. That is why the Building Plans Examiner position is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is interested in a career in municipal government, especially in planning and community development. As a Building Plans Examiner, you will perform reviews of residential, commercial and multi-family construction to ensure proper enforcement with applicable building codes, municipal codes, ordinances and State law and regulations. This includes duties such as reviewing construction plans, verifying accuracy of information, and providing technical support for code interpretation.
As a Building Plans Examiner, you will have a high degree of interaction with the public, private developers, architects and contractors. You will resolve code issues through answering inquiries over the phone, through email or in person. You will provide information on code interpretations and permitting procedures to the public and City staff.
The successful candidate will possess strong values that align with the City’s values, which include being welcoming, having integrity, showing accountability, and demonstrating a commitment to service. Additionally, the ideal candidate should find satisfaction in providing exceptional customer service and thrive in a collaborative, high-volume work environment.
At the City of Redmond, we work in service to the community and are responsible not only to the citizens and businesses who call Redmond home today, but to future generations as well. Our team is unified by the spirit of this principle and apply it to our everyday work. We also embrace and embody cultural humility. With a culturally diverse team we put into practice the understanding of how our personal backgrounds, and the backgrounds of others, impacts and informs our work, civic engagement and the role of planning and community services in our community.
Note:
The standard of this job is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm because this is a customer service oriented position. Plans Examiners meet and work with the public and since not all citizens who need our services are able to access the information they need online, our Plans Examiners are here to help in-person. Our Permitting Desk is one of the ways we ensure the services of the City are accessible to everyone in our community.
Flexible work options including remote work may be available after completing 6-months employment.
- Performs prescriptive plans review for compliance with applicable codes, standards, laws, regulations, and ordinances; aspects of review include but are not limited to compliance of setbacks, lot sizes, building, life safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, general construction standards, codes, and regulations
- Provides technical support for the public and internal staff on code research and interpretation.
- Monitors and coordinates the permitting process to ensure required reviews from various departments, planning, public works, and fire, are processed and completed in a timely fashion
- Acts as the liaison between the City and external customers; coordinates and conducts informational meetings with applicants, and stakeholders.
- Performs extensive code research of existing structures and compiles code information, responses and feedback to be reviewed with the applicants; includes researching archives and reports from other agencies
- Answers inquiries by phone, in person, and through online correspondence
- Coordinates with city wide departments on process improvement initiatives; creates up-to-date databases utilizing technology efficiencies; implements new processes, and drafts guidelines for plan reviews
- May perform field inspections for commercial and residential projects as a backup to the building Inspector and verify that the work of contractors is proceeding in accordance with applicable codes and that special inspections are carried out when required
- Provide technical assistance to the code enforcement office by determining building code violations in dangerous and/or questionable structures
- Coordinates assignments to assure optimal use of available personnel and resources
- Be an expert in building codes, review techniques, city procedures, ordinances, and current computer applications used.
- Assist in the adoption of new codes, policies, or procedures to provide guidance, clarity and maintain interpretive consistency
- To serve as a project manager and technical reviewer during the construction plan approval phase of project development by maintaining quality control protocols and ensuring permit processing performance goals are met
- Develops and maintains reports timelines, activities, hours, and other data which tracks permit statistics and performance to ensure quality control
- Responds to requests for information; provides technical information to City staff as authorized; provides assistance to the public within scope of authority.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge and application of building, accessibility, and energy efficiency codes in residential and commercial construction
- Federal, State and City laws, regulations and ordinances that govern construction codes
- Knowledge of methods, practices and materials of building construction
- Interpretation of building plans, details, and specifications
- Demonstrate excellent customer service
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the public and other employees, using tact, discretion and courtesy; providing information related to building code and interpretation to accomplish common goals
- Team building skills including instruction, problem analysis and decision making, planning and organizing, adaptability/flexibility, stress tolerance and time management
- Prepare clear and concise written materials for technical review and regulatory code interpretations
- Keep up to date on changes to the code and new construction methodologies
- Ability to evaluate and determine accuracy of plans with actual construction
- Provide explanations of complex and legally important governmental codes and regulations to the general public, professionals, and other agencies
- Independently plan, prioritize and organize work to meet deadlines
- Maintain accurate records of permit information and plans
- Maintain effective working relationships with officials, staff, and public
Education and Experience
- Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in building technology, architecture or related field;
- Experience: Three years of experience in architecture, building inspection, construction, plans examination, permit approval/processing, records management and code procedure/enforcement;
- Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job
Licenses and Certificates
- International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner and/or Residential Plans Examiner certification or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
Other
This class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job.
Please review thePlans Examiner job description for more information about the knowledge, skills, abilities, working conditions, and physical requirements.
Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits package that includes:
- MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente.All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond.
- PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan
- DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
- VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
- OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
- FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
- PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS – with (13) paid holidays per year
- EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
- RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include: Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan
- Annual COLA adjustments
- Annual merit increases of up to 5%
To learn about benefits at the City of Redmond, please visitC2MB (ajg.com)
