What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plans Examiner position at City of Bellingham?
Do you have experience in building construction, inspection, plan review, permit processing, building design and/or building code enforcement? The Planning and Community Department is currently seeking a Plans Examiner to join their team.
The Plans Examiner performs technical and supervisory work in building code compliance activities including plan review, permit issuance, inspection and enforcement.
This position will start at Step 1 ($37.63/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $37.63 - $45.85.
The City of Bellingham offers generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays. Our full time and part time employees receive medical, dental, vision, retirement options, and access to our employee assistance program. For more information, please visit https://cob.org/about/employment/benefits.
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 9/30/22 4:30 PM Pacific Time
WORK PERFORMED:
Work is primarily performed in an office environment in a frequently stressful atmosphere. Office work is performed at the public counter or in an office setting, using computers, phones and other office equipment. Occasional field work is performed at construction sites in various states of completion. Construction projects may require climbing ladders, construction stairs, scaffolding and steep sites. Sites may be wet and slippery. All weather conditions should be expected. May involve lifting and carrying paper files, large rolls of plans, or boxes of records weighing up to approximately 40 pounds.
All City of Bellingham employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, per Mayor Seth Fleetwood’s Executive Order 2021-02. **You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
Application Review Process:
The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional assessment.
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Planning and Community Development. The Civil Service Eligibility Register will remain in effect for 4 months, or longer as established by the Civil Service Commission at a later date. This position is represented by a union.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
The Plans Examiner performs technical and supervisory work in building code compliance activities including plan review, permit issuance, inspection and enforcement.
This position will start at Step 1 ($37.63/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $37.63 - $45.85.
The City of Bellingham offers generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays. Our full time and part time employees receive medical, dental, vision, retirement options, and access to our employee assistance program. For more information, please visit https://cob.org/about/employment/benefits.
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 9/30/22 4:30 PM Pacific Time
WORK PERFORMED:
- Reviews and corrects plans and specifications to assure compliance with relevant state and local building codes, ordinances, and regulations. Interprets associated codes and clarifies technical requirements. Prepares technical reports, letters, and other communication.
- Develops policy recommendations relating to Building Services plan review function.
- Coordinates with other staff and City departments and maintains close communication with the builders, developers, and architects.
- Keeps abreast of industry advances in materials and methodology.
- Collects evidence of required approvals from other departments or agencies. Authorizes, when appropriate, the issuance of permits. Drafts conditions as necessary to accomplish compliance. Computes applicable fees.
- Occasionally performs field inspections of construction projects and answers inquiries from inspectors and other staff regarding code interpretation.
- Prompts code compliance by advising and educating architects, builders and general public about acceptable practices.
- Investigates complaints and alleged violations.
- Receives and replies to phone inquiries pertaining to codes.
- Performs related work as required.
- Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page.
- Frequently communicate verbally.
- Lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Mobility necessary to occasionally move about construction sites and sit, stand or bend in awkward positions
Work is primarily performed in an office environment in a frequently stressful atmosphere. Office work is performed at the public counter or in an office setting, using computers, phones and other office equipment. Occasional field work is performed at construction sites in various states of completion. Construction projects may require climbing ladders, construction stairs, scaffolding and steep sites. Sites may be wet and slippery. All weather conditions should be expected. May involve lifting and carrying paper files, large rolls of plans, or boxes of records weighing up to approximately 40 pounds.
- Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalency (GED).
- Five years progressively responsible experience in building construction, inspection, plan review, permit processing, building design and/or building code enforcement. A bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, building technology or related field may substitute for two years of required work experience. An accredited bachelor's degree in architecture from a university recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board and a Washington architect license may substitute for four years of required work experience.
- International Code Council (ICC) Residential and Building Plans Examiner certification required, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
- ICC certification in plumbing, electrical and mechanical plans examiner and building inspection desirable.
- One year of experience as a Building Inspector or Plans Examiner with a municipality preferred.
- Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Must provide a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
- Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
- Failure to secure required certifications within established time limits will result in dismissal.
- All City Employees are expected to follow COVID related mandates and requirements.
All City of Bellingham employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, per Mayor Seth Fleetwood’s Executive Order 2021-02. **You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
Application Review Process:
- Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 3, 2022.
- If there are seven (7) or more qualified candidates;
- Applications will go through a Experience and Training Review. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 12, 2022.
- The top six (6) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Review will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of October 17, 2022.
- If six (6) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, all will be invited to the Oral Board Interviews, tentatively scheduled for the week of October 10, 2022.
- Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following:
- If six (6) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, the Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
- If there are seven (7) applicants that meet minimum qualifications, the Supplemental Question Review will be 40% of overall score and Oral Board Interview will be 60% of overall score. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
- Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following:
The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional assessment.
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Planning and Community Development. The Civil Service Eligibility Register will remain in effect for 4 months, or longer as established by the Civil Service Commission at a later date. This position is represented by a union.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
- The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
- The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
- The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
- The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
Salary : $38 - $46
