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Foster City is looking for an experienced Plans Examiner with excellent customer service skills and a passion for public service. This is a lead level position that will provide day-to-day oversight of the team's activities and may act as the Chief Building Official in his/her absence. 

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way would be:

Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent. A desired course of additional education would include two (2) years of college course work in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Inspection, or completion of an Apprenticeship Program in a building construction related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of experience including a minimum of two (2) years of full-time plan check experience and four (4) years of progressively increasing responsibility in a variety of municipal building inspection work.

Licenses, Certificates, Registration

• Possession of the International Code Council (I.C.C.) Plans Examiner Certificate
• Possession of a Certified Building Official Certificate from the I.C.C are desirable.
• Within two years of hiring the Plans Examiner will be able to attain the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Plan Checks certifications.

To review the full job announcement, click on the "Foster City Plans Examiner Flyer" below. Job specifications are currently under review and requirements may change based on organizational needs.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for relevant education, experience, training and other job related qualifications. Based upon a review of employment applications received, a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process. 

The process will consist of an Oral Panel Interview. An eligibility list will be established from those who pass the examination process with a score of 70% or higher. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least one year unless exhausted sooner. 

The department will invite the most qualified candidates from the eligibility list to a final department interview. The Community Development Department will make the hiring decision. 

Expected Dates for Examinations (subject to change): 
Oral Panel Interview: October TBD
Department Interview: October TBD 

Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the selection process. The City of Foster City reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Chief Building Official to join our team in Millbrae, San Mateo County.  

Reporting to the Community Development Director, you will help lead Millbrae’s growth by directing fieldwork, ensuring compliance with building regulations, facilitating major construction projects, and upholding high safety standards.

In addition to administrative duties, this customer-service-oriented position includes providing education and guidance to residents and contractors, performing hands-on plan checks and building inspections, and overseeing a support team of contracted permit technicians, plan checkers, and inspectors.

Definition: This division head classification is responsible for managing the City’s building inspection activities, enforcing the state building codes and regulations, plan check services and advising builders and homeowners on construction design and standards.

Essential Duties: Depending upon assignment, the duties of the Building Official include:

• Managing and directing the division staff. Through inspections, ensures that all structures comply with applicable state and local laws, codes and ordinances.  Ensuring prompt review of plans for proposed building construction or alterations, and the timely inspection of structures.
• Reviewing and recommending revisions of the City codes to comply with federal, state and local requirements.
• Developing policies and procedures designed to improve plan checking and the code enforcement program. Streamlining permit issuance procedures, when applicable, and developing updated forms as needed.
• Effectively monitoring division workloads to ensure adequate and timely plan checks and building inspections.
• Providing technical assistance and advice to architects, engineers, contractors and homeowners on matters pertaining to building plans, zoning regulations, construction methods, materials, procedures and building and related codes.
• Maintaining a competent and motivated work force by training, developing, disciplining and evaluating the performance of subordinates. Objectively and constructively evaluating the performance of subordinates, promptly apprizing subordinates of how well they are performing and/or in what specific areas they should seek improvement.
• Ensuring financial soundness of the division by developing, justifying and effectively managing the division budget.
• Generating monthly reports for the City Manager regarding building activity and workload, and other reports as necessary.  Maintaining work records related to the development of such reports.
• Responding to and resolving complaints from the public in a tactful and courteous manner.  Investigating problems to determine responsibility and methods for resolution as appropriate.
• Interpreting and making decisions on technical problems related to building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical codes and related federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
• Ensuring that checks and analysis of new construction and building alteration plans for residential, commercial, industrial buildings are done in a timely manner to ensure compliance with codes and policies. Ensuring plan checks accurately identify corrections, corrections notices are prepared and forwarded to applicant, maintaining plan check log for up to date information and current status of the plan check. Approving plans and issuing permits when appropriate.
• Maintaining and developing the electronic permitting and inspection system.
• Maintaining and developing the City street file system.

Special Requirements: Physical agility adequate to inspect construction sites.  Requires physical flexibility and dexterity, including the ability to continually stand, bend, stoop, reach and crouch.  Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, hear voices and operate telephones.  Must have the ability to quickly and accurately see, review, and interpret plans and diagrams and make inspections.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes and ordinances enforced by the City; principals, practices and techniques of combination inspection, building materials, accepted safety standards; State laws regulating building construction and zoning; precautionary safety and fire prevention methods in occupancy of buildings; building construction and materials, particularly structural construction materials and specialized terminology used in connection therewith; general knowledge of accepted methods of training; and knowledge of the construction industry and of modern supervisory principals and practices.

Ability and skills: To direct the work of others; provide technical supervision and training to division staff; read and

quality control building plans, diagrams, specification and building codes; enforce laws, codes and regulations with tact;

maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence; supervise plan checking; analyze facts and exercise good independent judgement; read, interpret and perform analysis of plans for various structures; formulate and apply uniform policies and standards for the building inspection program; deal tactfully and effectively with contractors and the public; learn, retain, interpret and use technical knowledge related to federal, state and local laws related to building codes. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain and foster cooperative teamwork within the division, within various departments and other agencies that are associated with building construction.

Education and Training Guidelines: Sufficient education and experience to satisfactorily perform the duties of this classification. A typical qualifying background would be four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in combination inspections, including two (2) years at a supervisory level. An Associate of Arts or Science Degree in Building Inspection Technology or a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field is desirable.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible full-time experience as a Building Inspector with a Municipal Building Department with at least two (2) years in a supervisory position.

Supervision Exercised and Received: The Building Official supervises the Building Inspector/Plan Checker and the Permit Technician.  The Building Official reports to the Community Development Director. 

License: Must possess and maintain a valid California Operator’s License issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and a satisfactory driving record.

Certification: Must possess and maintain certifications by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO): Plans Examiner and Combination Inspector. Must possess, or obtain within one year of employment, certification by the International Code Council (ICC) as a Building Official. A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification is highly desirable. Registration as an architect, civil, or structural engineer is highly desirable.

This is a Temporary Provisional position.  

A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service Examination process for this classification and be selected through an open competitive process in order to be considered for a permanent appointment. 

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

• Applications Open: May 19, 2023
• Applications Close: No earlier than Sunday, June 9, 2023
• Salary $116,272

Are you passionate about Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, and the Community we serve? Are you a dedicated professional who wants to maximize their impact in the lives of some of San Francisco’s most marginalized youth? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to join a team that is devoted to re-imagining Juvenile Justice, committed to racial equity, and focused on ensuring long-term public safety through the development, enrichment, and accountability of young people we serve throughout San Francisco. Read more about the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD). 

Job Description

Under general supervision, operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs a wide variety of pumping, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and auxiliary plant machinery and equipment in a large complex or multi-faceted facility. Ensures that all equipment, machinery and systems are functioning normally and safely, and complies with all applicable safety rules and regulations.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Operates, maintains and repairs a wide variety of pumping, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and power generating equipment in a large complex or multi-faceted facility to ensure the safe, correct and efficient functioning of the facility and equipment may be required to operate computerized building management systems, preventative or predictive maintenance computer systems or Computerized Data Gathering System (SCADA).2. Inspects and tests: machinery and equipment for safe, efficient and proper operation by visual and audio inspection during walk-throughs and by standard monitoring; fire prevention equipment to ensure safe and proper functionality; water storage and multiple distribution systems, high pressure zones, wood and steel storage tanks, pumps and relief valves, and samples of water.

3. Makes entries and keeps records on shift operation by taking and entering gauge readings and accurate water laboratory analysis readings and temperatures on operating log sheets or into a computer data system to ensure preventative maintenance and equipment history; and changes charts and recordings accordingly.

4. Receives, records and stores large amounts of treatment chemicals and may handle hazardous chemicals in confined or enclosed areas; must be capable of safely and properly handling chemical spills; may also include handling and treatment of industrial or hazardous waste.

5. Contacts, communicates and is required to deal with contractors, building tenants and/or the general public in order to be able to discharge assigned duties.

6. Maintains keys, communications equipment, and security (in the absence of Security Personnel), in order to ensure the security of a plant and buildings and grounds, including public safety. As part of an emergency response team, recognizes, evaluates, and responds to potentially hazardous situations.

7. Performs control tests on water samples to determine chlorine and fluoride residual, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, color, saturation index and flocculation factors; under supervision, conducts water analysis and regulates treatment chemical dosages to maintain water quality in filtration plant, distribution system, or other large complex facility may also be required to perform water analysis on water/wastewater as required by the State of California; performs boiler water and cooling tower chemical tests, including pH, alkalinity TDS, etc., to monitor and control growth of organisms in water.