Senior Plans Examiner

Salary : $122,995.10 - $135,776.43 Annually
Location : Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00258
Department: Development Services
Division: DS Building Review
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: TEAMSH

Job Summary

The City of Bellevue is currently seeking a Senior Building Plans Examiner who has experience reviewing complex 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 Senior 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 a full range of routine to the most complex construction plans to ensure that proposed construction complies with building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, environmental, flood hazard, design, energy, landscape, clearing, grading, filling, and related codes.
• Assists and supports in the training and mentoring of other review staff to improve consistency in the interpretation and application of the adopted codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, and customer service expectations of the City.
• Applies valuations and permit costs to new projects based on codes, regulations, and policies.
• Coordinates activities with building official, inspectors, planners, engineers, fire inspectors, and other agency staff.
• Provides project management for larger projects that include multiple permits with other Development Services divisions. May provide project management for projects on which they are not the primary reviewer.
• Provides customer service to the public on general code and permitting requirements.
• 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 general supervision of the Review & Inspection Supervisor.
• May supervise, as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of building, accessibility, energy and other construction codes adopted by the City of Bellevue and Washington State.
• Skill in applying knowledge of national, state, and local construction codes.
• Understanding of other City Divisions and how their processes relate to construction permits and project design.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, and the general public.
• Ability to read and understand complicated construction plans.
• Excellent customer service skills with a focus on expedited and simplified solutions while adhering to city code requirements and interpretations within their discretionary authority.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university.
• Requires a minimum of three years of experience performing plan review for a jurisdiction, enforcement agency, or similar entity.
• Three or more years of professional related experience in the construction industry or related areas.
• ICC Plans Examiner certification required.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid Washington State driver's license may be required.

Supplemental Information
Physical Demands

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.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

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.

01

Your responses in this section will be used to review your application and determine your eligibility for this position. The experience listed here MUST match the employment history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, please go back and update your application before submitting, as any discrepancies may result in removal from consideration. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above". We do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application. Do you understand and agree to these requirements?

• 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 graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or above

03

How many years of progressively responsible experience performing commercial o