Plan Check Engineer II - III

Under direction, performs technical engineering and life safety review of construction plans, calculations and related documents for structural integrity and code compliance; consults with architects, engineers, builders, technical societies and the public concerning codes, building plans, and other matters related to building construction; and performs other related work as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with their elective course work being in Civil or Structural Engineering, be a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California and will have experience using the current California Building Code and referenced standards to design or plan check various types of structures.  The candidate will have a basic knowledge of building construction methods and materials and will understand the principles of structural engineering and soil mechanics.   In turn, the candidate will be able to apply those principles and basic knowledge in the plan checking of the architectural and structural plans of various types of buildings.  The ideal candidate will also be able to communicate effectively with the public and co-workers, be a strong team player, will be able to multi-task, and work in an environment with tasks that may have varying priorities and deadlines while having excellent customer service skills.

Plan Check Engineer II incumbents are typically responsible for more significant technical plan check engineering duties, or for assisting in completing technical plan check engineering assignments.

Plan Check Engineer III is the journey level in the job series.   It requires specific engineering and code knowledge to perform technical plan check duties with minimum direction or supervision.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews construction plans, calculations and related documents for structural integrity and code compliance.
• Consults with architects, engineers, contractors and the general public in matters related to this function.
• Prepares reports and correspondence.
• Reviews test reports from laboratories and soil analysis reports from consulting engineers.
• Assists in training of plan check and inspection staff.
• Research technical problems as required.
• Makes field inspections, as necessary, to resolve engineering questions and code interpretations.
• Develops plan check procedures.
• Performs other related duties as necessary.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Plan Check Engineer II: The required knowledge and abilities can be obtained by the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in

Civil OR Structural Engineering; AND three (3) years of professional engineering experience.

  Plan Check Engineer III: The required knowledge and abilities can be obtained by the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in

Civil OR Structural Engineering; AND four (4) years of professional engineering experience. The Plan Check Engineer III will require registration as a Civil or Structure Engineer in the State of California.

   NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid certification as a Plans Examiner by the International Code Council (ICC) is required per the Health and Safety Code below.
• Must also possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
• All employees in this classification are subject to the provisions of Health & Safety Code 18965 et seq. which mandates certification and continuing education.   Those employees hired after October 4, 1993 are required to “complete one year of verifiable experience in the appropriate field and shall, within one year thereafter, obtain certification from a recognized state, national, or international association as determined by the local agency,” (which is the County of Ventura, Resource Management Agency) [Section 19868, Health & Safety Code.]  All employees in this classification “shall complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education for every three-year period.  Providers of continuing education may include any organization affiliated with the code enforcement profession, community colleges, or other providers of similar quality, as determined by the local agency,” [Section 18969, Health & Safety Code.] 

    DESIRED

• Considerable experience in the designing or plan review of structural systems for building, including related structural calculations.
• Considerable experience with the current edition of the California Building Code and referenced standards.
• State of California registration as a Professional Engineer.
• Excellent customer service skills.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

  Some to thorough working knowledge of:

• Principles, methods and techniques of civil and structural engineering and soils mechanics
• Construction methods, materials and practices.
•  The California Building Code and applicable State laws.

Some to thorough working ability to:

• Make comprehensive studies and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Administer and enforce building codes and other requirements objectively and equitably.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships to deal effectively with the public and coworkers, including handling difficult situations.
• Utilize various related computer programs for this position, Including Microsoft Office and engineering computer programs.