Senior City Plans Examiner

City of Mesa, AZ

$75K — $113K *
Mesa, AZ 85204In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Minimum of five years related city plans review experience required.
  • Experience interpreting and applying various codes and standards necessary.
  • Certification as Fire Plans Examiner, Fire Inspector, or Building Plans Examiner preferred.
  • Technical coursework in engineering or related field is beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor lower-level plans review staff.
  • Conduct advanced and complex plans examinations.
  • Analyze plans, specifications, and reports thoroughly.
  • Review construction documents for accuracy and compliance.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of city policies and development standards.

Benefits

  • Full-time position with a supportive team environment.
  • Opportunity for non-competitive promotion based on performance.
  • Engagement in high-profile projects subject to public scrutiny.
  • Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
Full Job Description
Salary: $75,996.34 - $113,033.02 Annually
Location : PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 17611
Department: (H230)Development Services
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

Description/Duties

The first review of all applications will be Monday, August 17, 2026.

A Senior City Plans Examiner is a highly skilled technical classification, which performs advanced and complex plans examination work and coordinates multidisciplinary plan review activities in support of the central plans review function of the Development Services Department. This class serves as team leader and mentor over lower-level plans review staff. Work involves researching historical background information pertinent to individual permit applications; performing highly technical analyses of plans, specifications, and reports; and reviewing of construction documents for completeness, accuracy, and conformance to applicable codes, ordinances, and national standards. The responsibilities of this class require the highest level of technical expertise and considerable independent judgment, which must result in precision and accuracy. Judicious reasoning and negotiated solutions are high profile in nature and subject to public scrutiny and critical analysis. Incumbents in this class are required to develop and maintain a current knowledge of the policies, procedures, and standards of the City departments they represent. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Employees may progress to this classification by non-competitive promotion upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements of performance and certification in addition to the normal education and training requirements. Work requires considerable independent judgment and initiative in combining a broad scope of the highest level of technical knowledge and expertise and sophisticated, analytical judgments in order to resolve a variety of highly complex, technical problems. Incumbents are required to carry out assignments without detailed instruction or guidance. This class serves as the primary subject matter expert in the area of assignment and is required to possess an increased knowledge and understanding of the City's policies and practices including the independent interpretation and application of development standards and principles for a variety of complex and controversial projects. The Senior City Plans Examiner differs from the classification of City Plans Examiner by the former's leadership and mentoring responsibilities; the coordination of multidisciplinary plan review activities; and the level of autonomy, decision making, and the complexity and difficulty of assignments requiring a very thorough and comprehensive knowledge of City procedures and requirements of engineering, fire prevention, and planning and zoning (based on assignment) regarding the plans review process. Work is performed under the general direction of a senior administrative, technical, or professional level supervisor (based on assignment). Performance and work are evaluated through meetings, written plans review correction sheets, and by overall results achieved. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.
Qualifications & Requirements

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Graduation from high school or GED. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to at least five years of specific city plans review experience related to the program area (example: Civil, Design Review, Fire), and interpreting and applying codes, ordinances, and national standards (example: building, mechanical, plumbing, electric, fire, and/or civil engineering (by assignment)).

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Certification as a Fire Plans Examiner, Fire Inspector, or Building Plans Examiner. Extensive experience in dealing effectively with the general public and development industry professionals is highly desirable. College or technical school coursework pertinent to the assigned function (example: civil or mechanical engineering, architecture, fire related training, building construction, or a closely related field) is preferred.
Link to Job Description
A is linked here.
01

Did you receive a High School Diploma or GED? You MUST include and detail your education information on your application to receive credit.
  • Yes
  • No

02

How many years of experience do you have with specific city plans review related to the program area (example: Civil, Design Review, Fire), and interpreting and applying codes, ordinances, and national standards (example: building, mechanical, plumbing, electric, fire, civil engineering (by assignment))? Please detail your experience on your application.
  • None
  • Some but less than 5 years
  • 5 years or more

03

Please describe your experience with specific city plans review related to the program area (example: Civil, Design Review, Fire), and interpreting and applying codes, ordinances, and national standards (example: building, mechanical, plumbing, electric, fire, civil engineering (by assignment) below; include employment dates and names of employer(s). If none, type N/A. **To receive credit, you MUST fully detail this experience on your application. Incomplete applications or responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed, detailed application.**
04

Do you possess a certification as a Fire Plans Examiner? Please detail your certification information on your application.
  • Yes
  • No

05

Do you possess a certification as a Fire Inspector or Building Plans Examiner? Please detail your certification on your application.
  • Yes
  • No

06

Please list any college or technical coursework that you have completed that is pertinent to the assigned function (example: civil or mechanical engineering, architecture, fire related training, building construction, or a closely related field). If none, please type N/A.
07

Please indicate which vacancy you would like to be considered for. Select all that apply.
  • Fire Plans Examiner
  • Civil Plans Examiner

Required Question

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