City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Plans Examiner B

Positions in this class, under general supervision, review, examine, interpret and approve a wide range of plans for the construction and remodeling of buildings for compliance with applicable building codes, policies and practices.

1. Utilize computerized software plan review programs and perform reviews of ink or pencil generated design drawings and maps.
2. Develop, analyze, and generate technical reports by preparing a variety of reports, correspondence and official documents related to the review and approval of construction related permits.
3. Research, investigate, and respond to appropriate parties by meeting with other city of Austin departments, external agencies, and those affected by projects being reviewed.
4. Examines a wide variety of construction plans, reports, calculations and related documents for new construction or alteration projects involving complex nonstructural code issues to assess compliance with applicable building codes, other construction and land development related codes, policies and precedents.
5. Verifies the adequacy of designs based on construction principles, prepares written correction comments, meets with applicants to explain corrections, and approves more complex plans for permit issuance.
6. Identifies and advises contractors, design professionals, owners and other parties of areas of non-compliance, and approves more complex plans and corrected plans.
7. Assists DSD inspectors as needed during construction to monitor projects for compliance with approved design drawings and specifications.
8. Assists DSD inspectors and contractors with project revisions and code interpretations during construction.
9. Responds to a wide range of public inquiries concerning building and related code compliance issues.
10. Verifies that other City Departments have completed and documented reviews and approvals of submitted plans as required.
11. Performs research and analysis of existing building records to determine impacts on proposed designs.
12. Assists other staff with building code questions and problems.
13. Performs related duties of a comparable type/level as assigned.
14. Responsibility of increasingly complex assignments may be assumed and greater independence granted as skills increase and as work progresses.

None.

• Knowledge of building codes and related state and local regulations with regard to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes.  Certain positions require a working knowledge of zoning regulations and the ability to research the City of Austin’s zoning regulations.
• Knowledge of the terminology and techniques for one or more of the following professional disciplines:
  Architecture; Civil, Environmental, Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical and/or Electrical Services or Engineering; Zoning aspects of land planning.
• Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles and practices.
• Knowledge of construction practices as well as a working knowledge of architectural drawing practices, symbols and abbreviations.
• Knowledge of various phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
• Skill in reading and interpreting plans and specifications, including shop drawings.
• Skill in the use of common computer software programs, including productivity software, computer aided design software, and data entry for databases.
• Skill in performing more complex analyses, including mathematical calculations, to determine compliance with or deviation from applicable codes.
• Skill in communicating general code requirements orally and in writing to architects, contractors, developers and the general public
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees, customers and the general public.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to maintain records.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture or other field related to design or construction and two (2) years of related technical or professional experience.
•  One (1) additional year of relevant work experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years. 
•  Master’s degree may substitute for experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Building Plans Examiner B employees must possess an International Code Council (ICC) certification as either a Residential Inspector or a Building Plans Examiner.
•  Mechanical Plans Examiner B employees must possess a Mechanical Plans Examiner certification by ICC or other recognized authority; or hold a current TDLR Class B Environmental Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor’s License with a “C” combined endorsement.
•  Electrical Plans Examiner B employees must obtain an Electrical Plans Examiner certification by ICC or other recognized authority; hold a current State of Texas master electrician license; or have 6 years of experience and hold a journeyman level state of Texas electrician license.
• Plumbing Plans Examiner B employees must be an obtain a Plumbing Plans Examiner certification by ICC or other recognized authority; or hold a current State of Texas master plumber, journeyman plumber, or plumbing inspector license.
• Zoning Plans Examiner B employees must obtain an ICC Zoning Inspector certification; or demonstrate completion of 16 contact hours of training (formal classes or documented on the job training) in the core competencies established by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
•  An employee who is certified by ICC or other recognized authority as a Certified Building Official (CBO) shall be considered to have met the certification or licensing requirements for the Plans Examiner B position.
•  An employee who is a Texas registered professional engineer (PE) or is an active Engineer-In-Training (EIT) for a related discipline shall be considered to have met the certification or licensing requirements for the Plans Examiner B position.
•  An employee who is a Texas registered architect (RA); has passed the Architect Registration Examination; or has demonstrated completion of 120 hours related to building code and regulation analysis, documentation, or review in AXP Experience Area “Project Planning & Design Tasks” or completed the "Design codes and Regulations" IDP knowledge/skills subcategory through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) required for licensure by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) shall be considered to have met the certification or licensing requirements for Building or Zoning Plans Examiner B positions.
•  An employee who is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) shall be considered to have met the certification or licensing requirements for Zoning Plans Examiner B position.