Senior Plans Examiner

Job Description:

Senior Plans Examiner

Description

Description

Be part of a dedicated team that is strongly connected in our community and committed to working together for our collective goals! We’re looking for a driven Senior Plans Examiner who’s ready to help elevate the high standards our residents count on. Your expertise will support safe, thoughtful development and strengthen the strong partnerships that make our seaside community thrive. If you’re seeking a role where your contributions are valued and your impact is felt every day, this is the place to continue that purpose-driven work.

Scheduled Salary Increases:
Effective July 2026 - 3.0%

Effective July 2027 - 2.5%


Under general direction, to perform complex and advanced professional plan check activities for commercial, residential, and other structures to ensure compliance with building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; to provide technical guidance and supervision to other professional and technical staff; to provide responsible administrative assistance to the Building Official; and to serve in the absence of the Building Official.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the lead level class in the Plans Examiner series allocated only to the Community Development Department. The Senior Plans Examiner reports to the Building Official, and is responsible for performing difficult and complex level plan check activities for the department; and serving as a lead worker over assigned staff. This class is distinguished from Plans Examiner I and II by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Senior Plans Examiners are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Essential Functions

Essential and other important functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs complex and advanced plan check activities of commercial, residential and other structures, review plans for conformance to various building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations.

• Develops program policies and procedures on plan check; provides input for permit plan modification; and implements changes as required.

• Prepares proposal specifications; review specifications and calculations of building plans to ensure compliance with building codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; and consults with originator when needed to clarify or make corrections as necessary.

• Prepares a variety of reports on program activities and projects requiring administrative actions; maintains appropriate records on plan check activities including case logs; uses a computer to enter building permit data; and maintains and updates databases.

• Interprets codes to members of the general public, contractors, engineers, architects, City staff, and representatives of outside agencies, companies, or organizations; analyzes complex plans for plan check submittals; and coordinates projects with other City departments and outside agencies.

• Informs contractors, engineers, and architects of problems in plans conformance to codes; identifies and resolves difficult problems associated with building codes and city ordinances; and resolves issues within scope of assignment.

• Performs field inspections of complex building structures and provides directions and guidance to staff assigned to perform field inspections of construction or other related projects.

• Serves in the role of Assistant to the Building Official; and supervises Building Division staff as required in the absence of the Building Official.

• Serves as a lead worker and provide technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

• Ensures that staff adhere to safe work practices and procedures.

• Performs related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of :

Operations, services, and activities of a plan check program.

Principles of leadership and training.

Principles and techniques of building design.

Methods and materials used in the construction of buildings and related structures.

Advanced mathematical principles including algebra and geometry.

Acceptable safety standards.

Advanced inspection methods.

Principles and procedures of record keeping.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to the building construction and plan check activities.

Ability to :

Lead, organize, assign, and review the work of staff in the area of work assigned.

Independently perform the most difficult plan check activities.

Read, understand, and interpret complex blueprints and specifications.

Understand, interpret, and prepare building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical policies and procedures.

Verify calculations to ensure specifications and drawings are in compliance with applicable codes and safety standards.

Perform and apply advanced algebraic and/or calculus concepts to include integration of relations.

functions; perform and interpret statistical calculations and a full range of engineering calculations.

Prepare and present reports to management staff, and legislative and administrativebodies.

Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.

Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Complete work assignments in an effective and timely manner, while working in setting consisting of shifting deadlines and frequent interruptions.

Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Exercise sound and logical judgment, decisiveness, and creativity.

Experience and Education/Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience :

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in performing plans examination work, including reviewing energy, disabled access laws, electrical, structural, plumbing and mechanical plans; OR three years of experience as a Plans Examiner II with the City of San Clemente.

Education/Training :

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, architectural or civil engineering, or a related field.

Licenses/Certificates:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class 'C' California Driver's License at the time of appointment.
Possession of an ICC plans examiner certification is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Environment

Work primarily takes place in an office setting; traveling and working in an outdoor setting may take place on an occasional basis. May be exposed to construction sites, loud machinery noises, gas, fumes, and varying weather conditions when working outdoors in the field.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in an indoor office environment, requiring extensive sitting, and some standing and waling; work my take place outdoors requiring the operation of motorized vehicles
• Moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of boxes, files, blueprints, and maps
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling to access files or other materials
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone
• Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screen

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

Applications must be submitted via the City's web site at http://san-clemente.org/jobs . All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience.

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, written identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or age.

In accordance with the ADA, candidates that require accommodation to perform the tasks of this position should contact Human Resources to inform them of the accommodation requested.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE - Most positions work a 9/80 work schedule.

HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plus two 8 hour floating holidays.

VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 120 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 180 hours based on years of service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Employees in this position are granted 64 hours per year.

SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.

INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.

LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $200,000.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may defer up to a maximum of $24,500 annually. Individuals aged 50 and older can contribute up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions to these plans.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.

RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE:The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.

Classic Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55

Definition:

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.

New Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62

Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.

• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.

Closing Date/Time: 5/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$118,331.20 - $143,832.00 Annually