Building Plans Examiner

POSITION TITLE: Building Plans Examiner

DEPARTMENT: Development & Community Services

RATE CLASS: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Community Services / Building Official

SHIFT: 8AM-5PM M-F (May be changed at the discretion of the City of Freeport)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education Licenses/Certifications & Experience

Any combination of education training and experience which provide the requisite knowledge skills and abilities needed for this position may be substituted or evaluated at the discretion of the City.

REQUIRED:

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Licenses and Certifications: Valid Texas Drivers License. Ability to obtain applicable ICC certification(s) within a timeframe established by the Building Official.

PREFERRED:

• Education: Associate degree or higher in Construction Management Architecture Engineering Technology Building Construction Public Administration or a related field is preferred. Relevant municipal permitting construction inspection or plan-review experience may substitute for formal education as determined by the City.
• Licenses and Certifications: ICC Permit Technician ICC Residential Plans Examiner ICC Building Plans Examiner ICC Residential Building Inspector and/or ICC Commercial Building Inspector
• Experience: Experience working in a municipal building or development-services department is strongly preferred. Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving one or more of the following areas is preferred: Municipal building permitting Building inspections Construction Plan review Development services Code administration Architectural or engineering support.

JOB SUMMARY: The Plan Reviewer / Permit Coordinator performs technical and administrative duties supporting the City of Freeports building permitting plan review inspection zoning and development processes. The position is responsible for coordinating permit applications from initial submittal through permit issuance and project completion; conducting residential and limited commercial plan reviews within the employees qualifications and authority; identifying code deficiencies; communicating correction requirements; maintaining permitting records; and assisting contractors design professionals property owners developers and the general public. Final interpretations of adopted building codes ordinances alternative methods of construction significant code modifications and matters requiring Building Official approval remain under the authority of the Building Official. The position works closely with the Building Official inspectors Planning and Zoning staff Fire Marshal Public Works Engineering Floodplain Administration Health Code Compliance and other City departments to provide an efficient and customer-focused development review process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties knowledge and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan Review

• Reviews residential and commercial construction documents within assigned level of authority for compliance with City-adopted building codes ordinances zoning requirements and applicable state requirements.
• Reviews permit applications site plans floor plans foundation plans construction details specifications and supporting documentation for completeness.
• Identifies code deficiencies and prepares clear written plan-review comments and correction notices.
• Reviews revised plans and supporting documents submitted in response to plan-review comments.
• Assists the Building Official in determining applicable building-code requirements occupancy classifications construction types allowable areas means of egress accessibility requirements and other applicable requirements.
• Coordinates specialized or third-party reviews when plans require engineering architectural fire civil floodplain or other professional review.
• Verifies required professional seals signatures certifications and supporting documents when applicable.
• Assists with zoning and development review to verify proposed construction complies with applicable setbacks land-use requirements parking requirements and other development standards.

Permit Coordination

• Receives reviews and processes residential and commercial permit applications.
• Determines whether applications contain the documentation necessary to begin plan review.
• Coordinates permit applications throughout the Citys review process.
• Tracks outstanding reviews corrections approvals and required documentation.
• Calculates or verifies applicable permit and review fees according to the Citys adopted fee schedule.
• Issues permits following completion of all required approvals and authorization from the appropriate City official.
• Coordinates inspection requests and assists customers with inspection scheduling and permitting procedures.
• Maintains accurate permit records in the Citys permitting software and document-management systems.
• Assists in tracking projects from initial application through final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy or project closeout.
• Monitors permit expiration dates and outstanding permit requirements.

Customer Service and Development Assistance

• Serves as a primary point of contact for contractors architects engineers developers property owners and residents regarding permitting and plan-review requirements.
• Explains permit procedures adopted codes required documentation inspection requirements and City development processes.
• Conducts or participates in pre-development and pre-construction meetings as assigned.
• Provides applicants with clear information regarding deficiencies and the steps necessary to obtain permit approval.
• Coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies to resolve permitting issues.
• Promotes timely professional consistent and customer-focused service.

Administrative and Technical Support

• Maintains permit plan-review inspection and development records.
• Prepares reports regarding permit activity plan-review turnaround times construction valuation inspection activity and other departmental performance measures.
• Assists with Public Information Act requests involving building and development records.
• Assists in developing and maintaining permit applications checklists standard operating procedures informational handouts and departmental forms.
• Assists with updates to permitting software workflows and electronic records.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the Director/Building Official and inspection staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES: This job description is intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the Plan Reviewer / Permit Coordinator and is not intended to be all-inclusive. All employees are expected to perform tasks as assigned by their supervisor; furthermore working hours may be extended in times of necessity.

SKILLS IN / ABILITY TO:

• Read and interpret construction drawings site plans specifications and technical documents.
• Interpret and explain building codes and City ordinances.
• Identify incomplete or deficient construction documents.
• Prepare clear and accurate plan-review comments.
• Communicate effectively with contractors architects engineers developers residents and City employees.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Maintain accurate electronic and physical records.
• Exercise sound judgment while working within delegated authority.
• Provide professional customer service during difficult or technical permitting situations.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• International Building Code (IBC)
• International Residential Code (IRC)
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• National Electrical Code (NEC)
• Accessibility requirements
• Municipal zoning and development regulations
• Texas construction and licensing requirements
• Building permitting and inspection procedures
• Construction terminology plans specifications and standard construction practices
• Electronic permitting and records-management systems

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions: The position primarily performs work in an office environment but may occasionally require visits to construction sites or other locations. The employee must be capable of reviewing electronic and printed construction plans for extended periods and operating standard office equipment and permitting software. Occasional attendance at meetings outside normal working hours may be required.

Physical: The employee is frequently required to stand walk sit squat bend use hand and finger dexterity and use physical strength to lift reach push pull and apply pressure. Work requires the ability to climb balance stoop kneel crouch and/or crawl. Employee may be required to lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental: The employee must maintain professional respectful communications with the general public co-workers and supervisors. Must be able to multi-task prioritize problem-solve and work under time-constraints. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts. This position may require independent judgement and sound decision-making related to maintenance needed in the absence of supervisory direction.

All municipal employees will be expected to show and maintain a high level of initiative enthusiasm and motivation towards the improvement of ALL aspects of the Freeport community. Employees will also be expected to be available for work to report to work in a dependable and timely fashion and to be physically and mentally fit to do their assigned work.

• Must pass a drug analysis test physical exam and successfully complete a background check.