PLAN CHECK ENGINEER
Salary Range: $7,381 to $10,113
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, plans, coordinates, reviews, supervises, and participates in the review of construction plans and structural calculations. The Plan Check Engineer is a Registered Professional Engineer, who performs the most difficult and complex structural and fire and life-safety plan reviews and has the responsibility for planning, coordinating and supervising the plan checking operations of the Building Division. Performs complex review and examination of building construction, improvement, and repair plans and specifications for compliance with all applicable building codes, laws, rules and regulations. As assigned, provides operational oversight of the building permits issuance process and activities, and coordination of plan checking with other Permit Center departments/divisions. Performs on-site building inspections in conjunction with plans examining work and maintains plans examining records and performs related and other work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Supervision received is characterized by general supervisory direction; receives general outline of work in terms of objectives rather than methods and selects from or adapts existing procedures; assignments require the regular use of discretion, resourcefulness, and independent judgment to provide primarily standard solutions to a wide range of building construction review problems; work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. Has latitude for selection of procedures and techniques to be applied. Supervision given includes exercising supervisory authority over the Permit Center staff and inspection staff, as assigned. Work involves providing project direction, training of staff, and conducting performance reviews of assigned staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is conducted primarily in an office setting and at field construction sites as required. Some field assignments involve exposure to variable weather.
EQUIPMENT, METHODS AND GUIDELINES
Typically uses state, federal and local building codes, laws, rules and ordinances applicable to building construction, such as the California Building Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Electric Code, California Energy Code, and California Green Building Code; Town policies and procedures; standards, practices, equipment and materials associated with the checking and examination of plans. Uses telephone, building engineering and design reference manuals, calculator and computer terminal.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work emphasizes speech, hearing, vision, and dexterity; and to perform the duties required on construction sites: stoop, climb, crawl, balance, maneuver, walk and stand for long periods of time. Must possess the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
- Plans, coordinates, reviews, supervises, and participates in the review of construction plans and structural calculations for residential, commercial and industrial building construction, alterations, and repairs.
- Responsible for performing the most difficult and complex plan checks, including all that require a Registered Professional Engineer.
- Investigate reports of structural problems on other assignments and makes recommendations to the Chief Building and Safety Official.
- Reviews plans and administers systems and procedures to ensure that plans, structural calculations, energy calculations and specifications comply with all state, federal, and local building laws, rules, ordinances and regulations.
- As assigned, provides operational oversight of the building permits issuance process and activities, and coordination of plan checking with other Permit Center departments/divisions.
- As assigned, supervise, train and evaluate staff including, but not limited to, assigning/monitoring workload and evaluation of quality and quantity of work performed.
- Assists the Chief Building and Safety Official with developing policies and standard operating procedures for Permit Center Activities.
- Confers with architects, engineers, builders and homeowners to give and obtain information and interpret building codes and regulations; recommends necessary changes to obtain compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
- Attends and participates in development plan review meetings to provide code related comments and guidance for future, current and past projects.
- When required, make difficult on-site construction inspections to confirm that construction complies with approved plans and specifications.
- Checks the stability of soils and footing systems in accordance with geological and soils reports.
- Prepares correspondence to architects, engineers, contractors, property owners and others in conjunction with the correction of plans and engineering details, permit requirements, notices and other matters relating to the acceptance and approval of construction plans and permitting process.
- Administers plan review contracts and coordinates the work of outside plan review consultants.
- Manages, assigns and reviews quality of plan checks being completed by contract engineers and architects and Permit Center staff.
- Advises inspectors on structural and other building related problems arising in the field during construction.
- Investigates and completes recommendations for alternate materials and methods of design and construction as required.
- Prepares and leads training sessions and seminars for Permit Center staff and inspection staff as required.
- Prepares reports and statistical data relating to plans examining functions and permit issuance activities.
- Performs building inspections as required
- Acts on behalf of the Chief Building and Safety Official as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- State and local codes, laws, rules, ordinances and regulations that pertain to building design, theories and principles of structural design, engineering, soils engineering, mathematics and construction.
- Standards, practices, terms, procedures, techniques, equipment, tools and materials associated with building design and construction.
- General principles and practices of budgeting
- General principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Ability to:
- Interpret and fairly apply complex building laws and regulations
- Apply Town and Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and practices pertaining to the work and the Building Division
- Perform detailed analysis and examination of building and construction designs, specifications and plans; apply engineering and architectural principles and techniques to solve complex construction problems
- Analyze structural integrity and load factors using engineering design mechanics
- Analyze and evaluate complex building plans, data and reports to determine compliance
- Make accurate engineering calculations
- Evaluate alternate materials and methods of design and construction
- Organize work and set priorities in order to meet work deadlines
- Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- Operate a computer and use word processing, spreadsheet, and permit processing software
- Plan, organize, and assign and evaluate the work of assigned staff
- Use written and oral communication skills to communicate and work tactfully and effectively with both professionals and non-professionals while reflecting the highest standards of customer service
- Read and interpret data, information and documents
- Analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning
- Perform highly detailed work under changing and strict deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks
- Work well under pressure and with frequent interruptions
- Interact effectively with staff, management, property owners, builders, engineers, architects, developers, and manufactures
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will require:
Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible plan check or plans examiner, or four years of experience in the private sector providing building design or engineering services.
Education: A Bachelor's Degree in civil, structural or architectural engineering, or a closely related design or engineering field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
LICENSES AND REGISTRATION
A California registered civil or structural engineer, or California licensed architect is required. Certification as a Plans Examiner from a nationally recognized certification entity is required at time of, or within 12 months of, employment and is a condition of continued employment. A California Driver License and a satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Click here to review the Town of Danville's employee benefits for 2019.
THE COMMUNITY
Located approximately 40 miles east of San Francisco, Danville is located in the center of the San Ramon Valley. Comprising 20 square miles at the foot of Mount Diablo, Danville features quality housing, a progressive educational system, and a historic downtown village. Danville's current population is 43,574 (1/10). The San Ramon Valley, part of the growing I-680 corridor, has become a popular location for professional and retail complexes, light industry as well as convenient, yet secluded, living.
RECRUITMENT CONTACT
Qiana London, Human Resources Analyst
Contact Phone: (925) 314-3356
Contact Email: qlondon@danville.ca.gov
