Plans Examiner - Mechanical

The City of Richmond, Department of Planning and Development Review is seeking an experienced individual for the position of Mechanical Plans Examiner. This position will examine and evaluate plans, specs, and other documents submitted by contractors, engineers, and applicants for compliance. Advises applicants of needed changes (in drawings) to satisfy applicable codes.

• Examining plans submitted by contractors, engineers and applicants for compliance with building construction codes, which have been adopted into the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC);

• Interpreting the information shown on plans to determine whether the plans comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC). Determining whether the proposed construction shown on the plans are compliant with the applicable codes;

• Meeting with engineers, owners and contractors to communicate the results of the review effort

• Preparing letters and reports regarding the results of the plan examination efforts and the procedures to expedite permit processing; Coordinating the permit process to facilitate timely reviews by other departments within the agency or City
  
  

• Advising owners, contractors and engineers (face-to-face, email or phone) whether proposed construction techniques satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC); Communicating the results of the review effort with the owner of the project, their engineer and/or the contractor;

• Advising applicants of changes needed in drawings so that the proposed construction will satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC)

• Preparing written documents for simple projects based on a verbal description from the permit applicant.

• Coordination of permit processing activities for other City Departments related to a project, so project remains on schedule

• Examining buildings' systems intended for renovation and issuing detailed reports/reviews identifying areas of corrections/updates needed, so the building will be compliant with applicable codes for new use.

• Demonstrating considerable technical knowledge of requirements, regulations, and practices related to high rise and industrial building construction
  
  

• Inspecting large and complex projects such as high-rise buildings, industrial complexes, places of assembly and unusually complex structures 
• Reading and understanding construction technical drawings and performing work of moderate physical activity at outdoor construction sites 
• Performing other duties that may be required to support the goals of City Council, the Department of Planning and Development Review and the Bureau of Permits and Inspections
  
  
  
  

This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local building codes; 
• Construction materials and practices; 
• Engineering and design standards and practices and, building construction techniques. 
• Skills in computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite; 
• Effective oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to Interact with engineers, contractors, and owners to resolve any questions or differences.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, building construction, or related field

• One year of inspection and plan review experience
  
  

• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER SPECAIL REQUIREMENTS:
 * Mechanical Plans Examiner, Mechanical & Fuel Gas Inspection

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, talk, hear, and use wrists, hands, and fingers in repetitive movements. The employee is frequently required to balance, stoop, walk, finger (pick, pinch, type or otherwise work primarily with fingers), and occasionally required to climb, kneel, crouch, reach extending hands and arms in any direction, stand, lift and grasp. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.