Building Plans Examiner

Department:Development ServicesPay Range:N7

FLSA Designation: CoveredEffective Date: 10/01/2002

Revised: 5/27/08; 10/01/14

General Statement of Duties:

Performs routine and complex building plan review and field inspections to ensure compliance with County building and zoning codes and performs on-site building inspections to ensure compliance with County and other applicable building codes; performs related work as required.

Classification Summary:

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform technical office evaluation and review of building and site plans and design and construction documents to ensure compliance with County development ordinances and building codes and to perform on-site building inspections to ensure compliance with county, state, and other applicable building codes. An employee in this class may work independently at an off-site location or be assigned to related duties in the County Development Services Department. Most work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Assistant Director/Building Official or designated supervisor. The principal duties of this class are performed in a public building environment and outdoors and may include exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Examples of Work: (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Performs technical office review of development and construction plans, site plans, and license and permit applications for compliance with County zoning, development, subdivision, landscape, open space, design, street, sign, grading, drainage, and other applicable ordinances, uniform building and construction codes, and stipulations approved by the County Planning and Zoning Commission, County Commission, and other administrative bodies or agencies;
  • Reviews include residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, institutional, and all other development projects;
  • Provides information to the public, developers, contractors, architects, owners, and other interested and affected parties on zoning, development, subdivision, landscape, sign, drainage, grading and applicable standards, ordinances and building codes;
  • Provides technical assistance and support to planning staff, code enforcement, and other County government agencies;
  • Processes building and development permit applications to determine fees;
  • Performs field inspections of zoning, subdivision, and development ordinance and code enforcement and compliance;
  • Supervises file of application, submittal, and review records and related correspondence and documents setting priorities and ensuring timely processing, and presents oral and written reports as requested;
  • Supervises resolution of compliance problems, advising and implementing suggested solutions;
  • Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety policies.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

  • May perform building inspection duties as needed;
  • Performs Assistant Director/Building Official duties in the absence of that employee;
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

  • Principles, procedures, objectives, and standard practices of County planning, zoning and building functions;

  • Application and enforcement of County zoning, building, development, subdivision, landscape, sign, environmental, grading and drainage, street, open space and all other applicable to subdivision, residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, institutional, and other land uses;
  • Application and enforcement of uniform construction codes, including but not limited to, building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire, and energy conservation codes;
  • Standard practices and procedures for plan, permit and license application review, evaluation, and approval, including documentation;
  • Standard practices and procedures for field inspection;
  • Principles and practices of design, engineering, and construction, including building design, landscape, architecture, and related and standard practices;
  • Current construction methods, techniques, and materials.

Ability to:

  • Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;
  • Follow written and oral instructions;
  • Read and interpret legal and property descriptions, ordinance and code documents, technical and instructional documents, and building plans, blueprints, and diagrams;
  • Operate a motor vehicle;
  • Prepare oral and written reports and maintain review, inspection, and enforcement records and findings, documents, correspondence, and related files and records;
  • Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
  • Communicate effectively and establish and maintain working relationships with other employees, the public, developers and builders, customers, applicants, citizen groups, and other interested and affected parties, including in difficult and sometimes adversarial circumstances.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalency and additional technical training in construction inspection or a related field required; and
  • Associates degree preferred;
  • Two (2) years of building inspection or plans review experience preferred; OR
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications:

  • ICC Building Inspector Certification required;
  • ICC certification as Building Plans Examiner required ;
  • Idaho Driver’s License;
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation.

Essential Physical Abilities:

  • Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate with others in person and by telephone;
  • Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, technical documents, blueprints, and diagrams, and move across rough terrain;
  • Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer, make adjustments to equipment, and operate a motor vehicle;
  • Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, agility, and balance to work in an office environment and perform field inspections.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and

selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.