Plans Examiner I/II

Salary: $36.54 - $45.36 Hourly
Location : City of Thornton; City Hall, CO
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26227
Department: Planning & Economic Development
Division: Building & Engineering
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
WORK HOURS: STANDARD 40 HOUR WORKWEEK
PROBATION: One year (if not currently a certified City of Thornton employee)
STATUS 2: FLSA NON-EXEMPT/CAREER SERVICE INCLUDED
BENEFITS: SEE BENEFITS TAB

GENERAL SUMMARY
Under specified supervision, performs complex technical plans review and permit and license approvals to assure compliance with various City codes, ordinances and standards.

Plans Examiner I:
Under immediate supervision, incumbents entering this class have limited directly related work experience. Work performed at this level is routine and moderately complex. Generally, work is closely observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion.

Plans Examiner II:
Under general supervision, this is the journey-level class in the Plans Examiner series. Work performed at this level is complex. Incumbents assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of work assigned to this class and to work with considerable independence and initiative. May train other staff on plans examining procedures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Reviews commercial and residential construction blueprints, drawings, plans, and specifications for compliance with building codes, ordinances and standards.

Assists with permit and license approvals.

Coordinates with other staff and departments to have plans reviewed for compliance with fire, zoning, and other building codes.

Tracks plans at various stages of the review/approval process; consults with engineers, architects, contractors, and citizens to interpret and explain building codes.

Recommends modifications for meeting building codes; writes letters to building owners and architects to apprise them of comments received and approval status.

Answers questions on building codes; provides customer services to the general public and responds to inquiries, concerns or complaints.

Creates and maintains project files.

Meets with inspectors in the field to provide clarification of issues on site regarding special or atypical inspections; performs inspections upon request.

May provide training on plans examining procedures.

May be required to work overtime.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:
Plans Examiner I:
High school diploma or GED; and three years' experience in construction or related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Plans Examiner II:
High school diploma or GED; and seven years of city or county plans examining, building inspection, or related experience.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:Plans Examiner I:
Residential Plans Examiner (R3) certification from the International Code Council (ICC) required within the first year of employment.

Plans Examiner II:

In addition to the Residential Plans Examiner (R3) certification from the International Code Council (ICC), the following ICC certifications are also required:

• Commercial Building Plans Examiner (B3), and
• Mechanical Plans Examiner (M3)ORCommercial Mechanical Inspector (M2), and
• Plumbing Plans Examiner (P3)ORCommercial Plumbing Inspector (P2).

Both levels may need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Plans Examiner I:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the City of Thornton and the department.
Skill in interpreting and explaining building codes.
Skill in performing building inspections.
Ability to track plans at various stages of the review and approval process.
Ability to provide quality customer service.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, builders, contractors and community members.

Plans Examiner II:
In addition to previous requirements:
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and ordinances related to construction and building inspection.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of construction design.
Skill in reviewing commercial and residential construction blueprints, drawings, plans, and specifications for compliance with building codes.
Ability to coordinate effectively with other departments to have plans reviewed for compliance with fire, zoning, and other building codes.
Ability to recommend modifications for meeting building codes.
Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.
Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
Ability to analyze and evaluate information accurately.

Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to reach, stand, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.
TESTING PROCEDURES
Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.
The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email Jobs@thorntonco.gov to receive a copy of our current Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Retirement & Deferred Compensation Plans
• Short & Long-term Disability Plans
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave
• Multilingual Incentive Pay
• Recreation Pass
• Wellness Program
• In-House Training Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

01

What is your highest level of education completed?

• Highschool or GED
• Some college courses
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

02

Please select all of your currently held ICC certifications below.

• Building Plans Examiner - Commercial
• Building Plans Examiner - Residential
• Plumbing Plans Examiner - Commercial
• Plumbing Plans Examiner - Residential
• Mechanical Plans Examiner - Commercial
• Mechanical Plans Examiner - Residential
• NEC Electrical Plans Examiner - Commercial
• NEC Electrical Plans Examiner - Residential
• None of the above

03

Choose the response that best describes your years of experience in the construction industry focusing on areas that require inspections (such as IRC/IBC building construction and design, electrical, plumbing/mechanical, etc.).

• No experience
• Less than 2 years of experience
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years

04

Choose the response that best describes your years of experience performing inspections or completing plan reviews.

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years

05

Choose the response that best describes your years of commercial and/or residential building construction and design experience.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years

Required Question