Plans Examiner II

POSITION TITLE: Plans Examiner II REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Building & Fire Safety SUPERVISES: None PURPOSE OF POSITION: Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Building & Fire Safety, performs advanced review of commercial construction, fire, and life safety plans to ensure conformance with adopted codes, ordinances, and other requirements enforced by the City of Papillion and the State of Nebraska. This position primarily reviews routine to moderately complex commercial projects. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Examines commercial site plans, construction drawings, fire alarm plans, fire sprinkler plans, and supporting documents pertaining to the construction, alteration, repair, change of occupancy, and use of buildings to determine compliance with adopted building codes, NFPA life safety standards, fire codes, zoning ordinances, and other applicable requirements. Reviews commercial construction drawings for occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area and height, fire-resistance-rated construction, means of egress, accessibility, fire protection systems, and other code compliance matters that can be evaluated from architectural and technical documents. Reviews fire and life safety plans, including fire alarm, fire sprinkler, emergency systems, occupant load, exiting, fire separation, and related documentation, and coordinates questions or complex determinations with the Assistant Director and City Fire Inspector. Examines drawings in sufficient detail to ensure minimum service requirements are provided for the size, number, and types of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other building systems required by applicable codes. Reviews plans and supporting documentation for commercial tenant improvements, additions, alterations, changes of occupancy, multifamily developments, institutional buildings, industrial facilities, and new commercial construction within the scope and complexity assigned. Coordinates with Planning staff to interpret and enforce zoning ordinances and zoning requirements for commercial properties and development projects. Coordinates with Engineering and Public Works staff to interpret and enforce City requirements related to water, paving, sewer, utilities, site access, and other development infrastructure. Reviews construction drawings and site plans for compliance with applicable accessibility requirements, including requirements for public accommodations, commercial facilities, multifamily housing, and other buildings intended for public use. Confers with contractors, engineers, architects, property owners, developers, and other interested parties; explains and interprets building codes and standards, fire and life safety requirements, zoning ordinances, and related regulations. Maintains primary responsibility for commercial plan review within the scope assigned, with field inspections secondary and performed as time, project needs, or departmental priorities allow. Coordinates with the Assistant Director of Building & Fire Safety and the City Fire Inspector to ensure compliance with fire and life safety provisions before final approval, issuance of a building permit, or issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Coordinates with Planning, Fire, Public Works, Engineering, and other departments or outside agencies to obtain required approvals before authorizing issuance of building permits or certificates of occupancy. Assists the Director and Assistant Director with investigations involving code violations, dangerous buildings, zoning or building code enforcement, and other matters within the responsibilities of the department. Conducts timely inspections of plans, buildings, and construction for compliance with applicable codes and City ordinances, including evaluating dangerous conditions and recommending or issuing corrective action as authorized. Implements proper enforcement procedures and coordinates with the Police, Fire, Health, Legal, and other appropriate departments or agencies to correct code violations; issues verbal or written orders for the correction of violations and infractions as authorized. Enforces adopted building and municipal codes and zoning ordinances with firmness, tact, consistency, and impartiality; explains and interprets codes and regulations to property owners, contractors, design professionals, governmental officials, and the public. Reviews plans, specifications, reports, calculations, and other submitted information for accuracy and completeness; ensures required forms and documentation are completed in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Investigates and resolves complaints from the public concerning code violations; prepares and maintains appropriate documentation; and communicates findings, required corrective action, and the disposition of complaints. Provides assistance to construction professionals, developers, property owners, City employees, and the public regarding applicable codes, permitting requirements, departmental procedures, and project review processes. Adheres to departmental policies and procedures and applies applicable local ordinances and codes, state statutes, and federal laws and regulations in the performance of assigned duties. Prepares and maintains accurate records, reports, correspondence, plan review comments, inspection documentation, and other departmental documents. Operates and maintains standard office equipment and utilizes computers, permitting and inspection systems, electronic plan review tools, document management systems, and other software and technology necessary to perform job duties. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public, private contractors, design professionals, developers, other employees, governmental agencies, and municipal officials. Physical presence at the assigned job location is an essential function of this role. This position requires onsite attendance during assigned working hours, with remote work arrangements unavailable. Management may consider exceptions under specific circumstances and in accordance with City policies. MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY: Knowledge of adopted building, fire, life safety, accessibility, zoning, and municipal codes and the ability to interpret and apply those requirements to commercial projects. Knowledge of the principles and practices of building construction, commercial plan examination, inspection, code administration, and municipal development review. Knowledge of structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems and the methods and techniques used to review and inspect those systems. Knowledge or basic understanding of engineering principles as they apply to loading and the evaluation of beams, columns, and other structural components using approved calculations and review tools. Knowledge of licensing and permit rules and regulations and the ability to ensure plans, permits, inspections, and certificates are processed in accordance with applicable requirements. Knowledge of and ability to operate vehicles, inspection tools, computers, electronic plan review systems, and other equipment and software applicable to assigned duties. Knowledge of the Citys responsibilities and the ability to use sound, independent judgment within established policies, procedures, and technical guidance. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, plans, specifications, engineering reports, calculations, and other technical documents and relate them to applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations. Ability to identify code deficiencies, prepare clear and accurate plan review comments, and communicate required corrections to design professionals, contractors, property owners, and applicants. Ability to enforce ordinances and other regulations with firmness, tact, consistency, and impartiality. Ability to communicate technical information clearly and accurately to technical and nontechnical audiences, both verbally and in writing, in English. Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, reports, correspondence, plan review comments, inspection documentation, and other departmental documents. Ability to plan and organize a personal work schedule, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and perform duties efficiently while managing frequent interruptions. Ability to respond to customers in a professional and tactful manner, handle difficult or confrontational interactions appropriately, and provide timely and courteous service. Ability to uphold the Citys mission statement and core values in the performance of job duties. Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions and to seek technical guidance when a matter exceeds the authority or complexity assigned to the position. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, property owners, contractors, design professionals, developers, employees, governmental agencies, and municipal officials. Ability to maintain regular and dependable attendance on the job, including attendance and job performance for possibly prolonged periods of time when called out on short notice due to weather conditions, emergencies, and similar situations of public necessity. ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES: Must possess a valid drivers license at the time of hire. Graduation from high school or possession of a GED equivalent is required. A degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, fire protection, or a closely related field is preferred. Must have at least four (4) years of experience in building inspections, plans examination, architecture, engineering, construction trades, or a related field, including experience reviewing commercial construction plans, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Must possess an ICC Building Plans Examiner certification or obtain the certification within a time frame established by City Administration. Must possess an NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner certification or obtain the certification within a time frame established by City Administration. ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and requires walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, stooping, climbing, and the safe use of inspection tools and computer equipment. The employee must travel to work sites, tolerate dust, noise, inclement weather, and construction hazards, and safely negotiate ladders, platforms, ramps, and scaffolding. Vision must be sufficient for plan review, inspections, depth perception, and adjustment of focus. Work requires extensive interaction with the general public and other community groups and may be stressful when dealing with challenging individuals and/or meeting deadlines.