Building Plans Examiner

Salary : $117,138.21 - $129,310.94 Annually
Location : Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00348
Department: Development Services
Division: DS Building Review
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: TEAMSH

Job Summary

The City of Bellevue is currently seeking a Building Plans Examiner who has experience reviewing commercial and residential plans. Development Services is a multi-department line of business that offers one-stop shopping for general information and the permits needed for development activity in Bellevue. We are code compliance officers, engineers, finance analysts, inspectors, planners, plans examiners, permit technicians, and support staff from the Development Services, Fire, Transportation, and Utilities departments. As a Building Plans Examiner you will review and evaluate building plans and specifications to ensure the proposed construction complies with local, state and national building, accessibility, energy and related codes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews and evaluates proposed building plan and specification blueprints to ensure that proposed construction complies with building, energy, accessibility, and related codes.
• Applies valuations and permit costs to new projects based on codes, regulations, and policies.
• Coordinates activities with building official, inspectors, planners, engineers, fire reviewers, and other agency staff.
• Performs research on codes and ordinances as assigned to evaluate and recommend improvements.
• Researches problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction, and code compliance.
• Responds to complex and sensitive building and customer service issues.
• Maintains records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions.
• Coordinates plan reviews, inspections, and enforcement actions.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of approved plans.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the moderate to general supervision of the plans examination supervisor.
• May supervise, as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of building, energy, and other construction codes adopted by the City of Bellevue and Washington State.
• Skill in applying knowledge of national, state, and local building codes, zoning codes, and land use regulations.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public.
• Ability to read and understand complicated plans and blueprints.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university.
• Three or more year of professional related experience in the construction industry or related areas.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• ICC Plans Examiner certification required within 1 year of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver's license may be required.

Supplemental Information
The physical demands and work environment 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.

• Work involves walking; talking; hearing; using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.
• Work may periodically require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• The employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions, in wet and/or humid conditions, in high, precarious places, near moving mechanical parts, near fumes, airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals, or near risk of electrical shock and/or vibration.

This is a full-time, union position represented by Teamsters Local 763: 206-441-0763.
HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
01

APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, you may edit your application before submitting. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma/GED equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or above
• None of the above

03

How many years of progressively responsible experience performing review for a jurisdiction, enforcement agency or similar entity do you have?

• No related experience
• Less that 1 year of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• More than 3 years of experience

04

Which types of building plans have you reviewed? (select all that apply)

• Commercial buildings
• One- and two- family residential buildings
• Townhouses
• Multi-family buildings
• High rise buildings
• Schools
• Hospitals
• None of the above

05

For each of the building plan types selected above, please indicate how many years of experience you have performing this type of review.
06

How many years of progressively responsible experience in the construction industry or related areas do you have?

• No related experience
• Less that 1 year of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• More than 3 years of experience

07

Which types of construction industry experience do you have? (Select all that apply)

• Building Design
• Construction
• Permit processing/permit tech
• None of the above

08

Do you possess an ICC Building Plans Examiner certification?

• Yes
• No

09

The City of Bellevue is a hybrid workplace. This is a Washington State job, and candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of City Hall and be onsite in Bellevue at least 2 day(s) per week.

• Yes, I am interested in hybrid schedule and available to be onsite