Senior Plans Examiner

Salary : $93,444.00 - $119,328.00 Annually
Location : City of Hemet, 445 E. Florida Ave., Hemet, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-014
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Summary Description
BASIC FUNCTION:

Under general direction, performs advanced and highly complex professional and technical work in reviewing building plans, specifications, engineering calculations, technical reports, and other construction documents for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and adopted standards; coordinates complex plan review activities; provides technical and functional direction, training, and guidance to plans examiners, building technicians, and related staff; assists applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, inspectors, and the public with building and construction requirements; and provides technical assistance and recommendations to the Chief Building Official and other City staff.
CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS:

The Senior Plans Examiner performs the most complex and technically demanding plan reviews, exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying applicable building, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, accessibility, energy, and related codes and regulations. The position provides technical and functional direction to plans examination and related staff, serves as a technical resource to the Chief Building Official, City staff, design professionals, contractors, developers, and the public, and may coordinate plan review activities, review outside consultants' work, participate in development review, assist with complex field inspections, and provide staff training and guidance. The classification is distinguished from the Plans Examiner by the complexity and independence of assignments and responsibility for providing technical direction on difficult or unusual projects and code issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND TASKS:
The following list of functions, duties and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates building plans, construction documents, specifications, engineering and structural calculations, technical reports, energy calculations, and other development-related submittals for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and adopted standards.
• Performs advanced plan examinations for complex residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-unit residential, mixed-use, subdivision, tenant improvement, and other construction projects; identifies deficiencies, required corrections, potential code conflicts, and compliance issues; prepares detailed and technically accurate plan review comments, correction notices, correspondence, and reports; and reviews revised plans and supporting documentation to verify corrections and facilitate projects through the permitting process.
• Reviews structural designs, calculations, materials, construction methods, and other engineering information, as well as civil engineering documents, grading and drainage plans, hydrology and hydraulic studies, utility plans, accessibility features, and related technical documents for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and City requirements.
• Reviews plans and documents for compliance with applicable building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, accessibility, energy, zoning, fire and life-safety, grading, drainage, and other related requirements as assigned.
• Provides technical and functional direction, guidance, training, and assistance to plans examiners, building technicians, building inspectors, and other staff regarding plan review procedures, code requirements, permit processing, and unusual or complex construction issues.
• Coordinates and monitors complex plan review activities involving multiple City departments, divisions, outside agencies, consultants, and regulatory organizations; identifies conflicts or delays and works with involved parties to resolve issues and maintain project timelines.
• Reviews the work of outside plan review consultants and engineers for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with City requirements; communicates technical comments and coordinates revisions as necessary.
• Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, property owners, homeowners, and members of the public regarding proposed construction projects, plan review comments, code requirements, permit processes, and alternative methods or solutions for achieving compliance.
• Responds to complex questions and complaints regarding building codes, construction requirements, plan review decisions, permit processing, and City policies and procedures; researches issues and provides accurate technical explanations and recommendations.
• Assists applicants and the public at the customer service counter by reviewing plans and documents, explaining code requirements, identifying deficiencies, and providing technical guidance concerning the permit process.
• Participates in preliminary design review and development review activities, including serving as a Building and Safety representative on interdepartmental review committees; reviews development plans and exhibits for compliance and provides technical comments and recommendations.
• Coordinates plan review and development projects with Planning, Engineering, Public Works, Fire, and other City departments, as well as outside agencies and consultants. Assists building inspectors with complex or unusual construction conditions, structural questions, alternate materials or methods, and interpretation of approved construction documents; conducts or participates in field reviews and inspections as necessary.
• Researches and interprets changes in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, building codes, standards, and industry practices; evaluates their impact on City plan review and permitting activities and recommends changes to policies, procedures, forms, standards, and work practices.
• Participates in the development, review, and implementation of plan review policies, procedures, work standards, checklists, and quality control processes to improve consistency, efficiency, customer service, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitors plan review workloads, project status, processing times, and other operational information; prepares reports and recommends improvements to plan review procedures, staffing, technology, and service delivery.
• Participates in the development and delivery of training for plans examiners, building inspectors, building technicians, and other staff regarding new codes, regulations, policies, procedures, construction practices, and technical issues.
• Maintains accurate records, logs, files, permit information, plan review comments, project status information, and other documentation using electronic permitting and related computer systems.
• Assists with the evaluation and implementation of electronic plan review, permitting, and other technology systems; identifies opportunities to improve workflow, information management, and customer service.
• Assists with the review and calculation of development, plan review, permit, and other applicable fees; prepares or verifies project cost estimates and other supporting information as assigned.
• Represents the Building and Safety function at meetings with applicants, developers, design professionals, contractors, other City departments, outside agencies, and community or professional organizations.
• Provides technical assistance to the Chief Building Official and management staff on complex code interpretations, development projects, construction issues, plan review procedures, and proposed changes to laws, regulations, and standards.
• Prepares technical reports, staff memoranda, correspondence, presentations, procedures, code interpretations, and other materials related to building plan review and code compliance.
• Participates in code development activities and recommends changes to ordinances, policies, procedures, standards, and plan review practices based on changes in law, building technology, construction practices, and operational needs.
• May participate in the recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation, and development of assigned staff, as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of building and structural plan review. • Federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards governing the construction, alteration, repair, occupancy, and use of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and other structures.
• California Building Standards Code, including applicable provisions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code, California Green Building Standards Code, and related regulations.
• Accessibility requirements, including applicable federal and state accessibility laws, regulations, and standards.
• Principles and practices of structural and civil engineering as they relate to building construction and plan review.
• Structural design principles, engineering calculations, construction materials, construction methods, and building systems used in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional construction.
• Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, accessibility, fire and life-safety, grading, drainage, and related construction requirements.
• Plan review procedures, permitting processes, development review practices, and construction inspection procedures.
• Methods and techniques for identifying code deficiencies, evaluating corrective measures, and documenting plan review comments.
• Principles and practices of interpreting and applying building codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and technical standards.
• Principles and practices of providing technical and functional direction, training, coaching, and guidance to staff.
• Principles and practices of customer service, conflict resolution, problem solving, and communicating technical information to individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Principles and practices of project coordination, workload management, quality control, and continuous process improvement.
• Research methods and sources of information related to building codes, construction standards, engineering practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Computer applications, electronic plan review systems, permitting software, databases, spreadsheets, document management systems, and other technology used in building and development services.
• Principles and practices of technical report preparation, recordkeeping, and documentation.

SKILL TO:

• Review and analyze complex building plans, specifications, calculations, reports, and other construction documents accurately and efficiently.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Perform advanced structural and technical plan reviews and identify deficiencies or potential code compliance issues.
• Analyze complex construction, engineering, and code issues and develop or recommend practical solutions.
• Read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, grading, and other construction drawings and specifications.
• Prepare clear, concise, technically accurate, and well-supported plan review comments, reports, correspondence, and recommendations.
• Provide effective technical direction, training, coaching, and assistance to Plans Examiners, permit staff, inspectors, and other personnel.
• Coordinate complex plan review projects involving multiple departments, agencies, consultants, applicants, and design professionals.
• Research technical and regulatory issues and communicate findings and recommendations effectively.
• Use electronic plan review, permitting, database, spreadsheet, and other computer applications necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Resolve difficult customer service issues and explain complex technical requirements in a clear, professional, and understandable manner.
• Manage multiple projects, assignments, deadlines, and priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, management, elected officials, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, property owners, regulatory agencies, consultants, and the public.

ABILITY TO:

• Perform the most complex and technically demanding plan review assignments with cons