Description

Be part of a dedicated team that is strongly connected in our community and committed to working together for our collective goals!
We’re looking for a driven Senior Plans Examiner who’s ready to help elevate the high standards our residents count on. Your expertise will support safe, thoughtful development and strengthen the strong partnerships that make our seaside community thrive. If you’re seeking a role where your contributions are valued and your impact is felt every day, this is the place to continue that purpose-driven work.

Scheduled Salary Increases:
Effective July 2026 - 3.0%
Effective July 2027 - 2.5%

Under general direction, to perform complex and advanced professional plan check activities for commercial, residential, and other structures to ensure compliance with building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; to provide technical guidance and supervision to other professional and technical staff; to provide responsible administrative assistance to the Building Official; and to serve in the absence of the Building Official.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the lead level class in the Plans Examiner series allocated only to the
Community Development Department. TheSenior Plans Examiner reports to the Building Official, and is responsible for performing difficult and complex level plancheck activities for the department; and serving as a lead worker over assigned staff. This class
is distinguished fromPlans Examiner I and II by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Senior PlansExaminers are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Essential Functions

Essential and other important functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Performs complex and advanced plan check activities of commercial, residential and other structures, review plansfor conformance to various building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations.
Develops program policies and procedures on plan check; provides input for permit plan modification; andimplements changes as required.
Prepares proposal specifications; review specifications and calculations of building plans to ensure compliancewith building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; and consults with originator when needed to clarify or makecorrections as necessary.
Prepares a variety of reports on program activities and projects requiring administrative actions; maintainsappropriate records on plan check activities including case logs; uses a computer to enter building permit data; andmaintains and updates databases.
Interprets codes to members of the general public, contractors, engineers, architects, City staff, and representativesof outside agencies, companies, or organizations; analyzes complex plans for plan check submittals; andcoordinates projects with other City departments and outside agencies.
Informs contractors, engineers, and architects of problems in plans conformance to codes; identifies and resolvesdifficult problems associated with building codes and city ordinances; and resolves issues within scope ofassignment.
Performs field inspections of complex building structures and provides directions and guidance to staff assigned toperform field inspections of construction or other related projects.
Serves in the role of Assistant to the Building Official; and supervises Building Division staff as required in theabsence of the Building Official.
Serves as a lead worker and provide technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.
Ensures that staff adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
Performs related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a plan check program.
Principles of leadership and training.
Principles and techniques of building design.
Methods and materials used in the construction of buildings and related structures.
Advanced mathematical principles including algebra and geometry.
Acceptable safety standards.
Advanced inspection methods.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to the building construction and plan checkactivities.

Ability to:
Lead, organize, assign, and review the work of staff in the area of work assigned.
Independently perform the most difficult plan check activities.
Read, understand, and interpret complex blueprints and specifications.
Understand, interpret, and prepare building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical policies and procedures.
Verify calculations to ensure specifications and drawings are in compliance with applicable codes and safety standards.
Perform and apply advanced algebraic and/or calculus concepts to include integration of relations.
functions; perform and interpret statistical calculations and a full range of engineering calculations.
Prepare and present reports to management staff, and legislative and administrative bodies.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Complete work assignments in an effective and timely manner, while working in setting consisting of shifting deadlinesand frequent interruptions.
Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Exercise sound and logical judgment, decisiveness, and creativity.

Requirements

Experience and Education/Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in performing plans examination work, including reviewing energy, disabled access laws, electrical, structural, plumbing and mechanical plans; OR three years of experience as a Plans Examiner II with the City of San Clemente.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, architectural or civil engineering, or a related field.

Licenses/Certificates:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class 'C' California Driver's License at the time of appointment.
Possession of an ICC plans examiner certification is required.