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Plans Examiner, Sr

Description

The Role:

The Plans Examiner, Sr. performs administrative work, analyzes and interprets complex construction documents including review of structural and hydraulic calculations and building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire and life safety code compliance. Provides lead supervision to Plans Examiners.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in building, construction, engineering, architecture, fire, or related field and five years of experience in municipal plan review, building inspection, fire inspection, or construction contracting or management.

Salary:

This position is:

FLSA Exempt, and will be paid a salary regardless of hours hours worked per week.
A Grade 410 with an annual salary between $76,709.00 - $115,064.00

Benefits:

The City of Glendale offers a generous benefits package with competitive rates that become effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Below are some City of Glendale benefits resources for your review:

2025 - 2026 Benefits Guide
City of Glendale Benefits Presentation
City of Glendale’s Benefits Page

Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:

City of Glendale Regular status positions offer:

10.5 paid holidays per year, and full-time employees are also granted an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays
Vacation leave accrues at:
- 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours/17.25* days per year)
- Increases to 6.12 hours per pay period after 5 years
- Then caps out at 7.6 hours per pay period after 10 years of service
Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours/14.25 days* per year)

Days per year estimates are based on an 8-hour work day

Retirement:

This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Contribution is mandatory, and deducted every pay period
The current contribution rate is 12.00%

Essential Functions

(May vary depending on area of assignment)

Provides lead supervision to plans examiners by assigning and monitoring workload, reviewing work, and resolving problems or plan review issues.
Provides training and technical expertise to plan examiners.
Analyzes and interprets construction documents including structural construction, for commercial, industrial, and residential projects to ensure compliance with construction city codes, ordinances, standards, and amendments. Identifies inadequacies found on construction plans and calculations and requires corrections.
Advises consulting agencies regarding minimum standards and reviews consultants' final product to verify compliance.
Performs structural engineering calculations to analyze structural members and assemblies for vertical and lateral loads, seismic and stress analysis, and structural integrity for residential analysis. Requires corrections to be made, as required.
Advises and explains to architects, engineers, contractors, the general public, and departmental staff on code changes, interpretations, new materials, and methods.
Negotiates and develops mutually acceptable solutions to code conformance problems and fire and life safety issues with architects, engineers, contractors, and general public.
Provides an interpretation of the construction codes and develops alternate solutions to code compliance problems for plan review staff.
Provides quality customer service while functioning in a regulatory capacity.
Assists the Plan Review Manager or Fire Marshal by recommending changes in codes to resolve interpretation problems and to accommodate and control new methods and materials.
Deals with and resolves potentially hostile situations with customers.
Acts as the Plan Review Manager, as necessary.
Attends meetings and functions relating to plan review, building safety, and construction.
Assists building or fire inspectors with field reviews of fire protection systems, structures and sites to determine structural soundness, proper installation of unusual designs, materials, or equipment.
Conducts meetings with developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and business owners regarding submittal requirements for plan review and to identify code conformance issues on commercial and industrial projects prior to the formal review process.
Participates as a committee member in various local, state, and other professional organizations to discuss code related issues.
Researches alternate products, materials, and methods of construction for compliance and makes recommendations to the Plans Review Manager or Fire Marshal.
Operates city vehicles.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors

Bachelor's degree in building, construction, engineering, architecture, fire, or related field and five years of experience in municipal plan review, building inspection, fire inspection, or construction contracting or management.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

Knowledge of:

All major types of building construction, materials, and methods Building, fire and related codes, regulations, and ordinances
Hydraulics, as applied to sprinkler systems, and fire prevention
Engineering mathematics and structural engineering principles in the design of reinforced concrete, steel, and timber, as applied to construction of buildings and other structures
Mechanical and electrical engineering principles, as applied to the design and installation of mechanical equipment and systems in buildings
Field inspection procedures and techniques
Computers and their applications in plans review
Other government agencies' regulations, such as the State Registrar of Contractors and the State Board of Technical Registration

Ability to:

Provide lead supervision to other employees
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, city staff and the general public
Apply engineering knowledge and follow proper plan check techniques to examine methods and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances
Read, interpret, and explain codes, engineering calculations, building plans, plot surveys, specifications, and blueprints
Perform and analyze structural engineering and mathematical calculations Perform research using complex technical reference manuals
Explain code requirements and plan review procedures and resolve problems with diverse group of people
Work independently to accurately analyze and interpret a set of highly technical construction documents
Operate city vehicles

Special Requirements

A valid Arizona driver's license.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive which requires candidates to successfully undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment. They will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Glendale Substance Abuse policy. A post-offer physical assessment is required. The City of Glendale will incur the cost of all required testing.
Depending on area of assignment:
- (Development Services) ICBO Certification as Plans Examiner within two years of appointment.
- (Fire) ICC Certification as Plans Examiner at time of application.

Success Factor Classification Level - Professional/Supervisory
To view the success factor definitions please click here. (Download PDF reader)(If needed, click here to download PDF reader).

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.