SENIOR BUILDING PLANS CHECKER

Job Specifications

Class Code:	TP8
Analyst:	CJS

Date Originated:	4/09
Date Revised:

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under direction, to review residential and commercial building plans for compliance with the California (CA) building codes, the CA Health and Safety Code, CA Energy regulations, County ordinances and administrative orders; to review structural analysis and calculations of building plans, within regulatory and procedural guidelines; to advise applicants for building permits on possible modifications to conform with requirements; to lead the work of lower level building plans checkers and train building plans checkers; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class responsible for checking residential and commercial construction plans and specifications for compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. This class is distinguished from the lower class of Building Plans Checker in that the former serves as a lead-worker or supervisor to the latter. This class is distinguished from the Building Inspector class series in that the latter performs field inspections for buildings and structures during construction, alteration or repair.

TYPICAL TASKS

Reviews building plans for completeness and for compliance to the CA Building Code, the CA Electrical Code, the CA Mechanical Code, The CA Plumbing Code, the State Health and Safety Code, State Energy regulations and County ordinances and administrative orders; assists applicants whose plans do not conform with requirements by recommending changes and modifications to bring the plans up to code requirements; reviews structural analysis and calculations of building plans, within regulatory and procedural guidelines; serves as lead-worker or supervisor to lower level Building Plans Checkers; meets with field inspectors to maintain consistent application of code provisions; updates and maintains technical energy manuals; provides technical support to other County departments for building and energy projects concerning codes; advises the public an code requirements; attends meetings and conferences to keep abreast of new developments in construction technology, code changes, energy design and building materials; attends training as required; prepares reports and maintains records and files; inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer terminal; may prepare employee performance evaluations.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• The State Building Codes, State Health and Safety Codes and State Energy regulations as they relate to building construction;
• The symbols and terminology used in building plans and specifications;
• The methods, techniques and materials used in building construction;
• Properties, application and strength of various building materials.
  
  

Working knowledge of:

• Trigonometry, plain geometry, and physics including thermodynamics, and properties of materials;
• The principles and techniques of supervision and training;
• Data processing applications.

Ability to:

• Read, interpret and analyze building plans and specifications;
• Lead, supervise and train staff;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Prepare clear and comprehensive written reports;
• Use sound, independent judgment within regulatory and procedural guidelines;
• Understand complex mathematical formulas and complete structural load and stress analysis using standardized tables;
• Input, access and analyze data using a computer terminal.

Training and experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college degree program in engineering, architecture or a closely related field and two years of progressively responsible experience performing building plans checking, building design, construction or building inspection.

OR

Completion of two years of college courses in engineering, architecture, construction technology, building inspection or a closely related field and four years of progressively responsible experience performing building plans checking, building design, construction or building inspection.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possess and maintain a valid International Code Council (ICC) or equivalent certification as a Building Plans Examiner.

Post-Employment: Must complete a minimum of 45 hours of related continuing education in every three year period.

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 03

Occupational Grouping:  76

Worker’s Compensation Code: 53