Associate Plan Check Engineer

Associate Plan Check Engineer

Salary

$145,335.84 - $176,658.56 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-L09-A

Department

Department of Planning and Development Services

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

14

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, to examine building plans submitted for building permits and to ensure compliance with applicable codes, laws, regulations, and industry standard engineering practices.

The Department of Planning and Development is hiring for an Associate Plan Check Engineer. Candidates with extensive experience in building structural design and application of various codes and requirements to achieve compliance standards are highly desirable.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Reviews applications and permits issued for commercial, public, educational, or residential structures and developments;
• Reviews, checks, and approves plans for the construction or alteration of industrial, commercial, educational, and residential structures to determine compliance with applicable codes, laws, and regulations;
• Makes independent analyses, when required, to justify the adequacy and safety of proposed designs;
• Answers questions and gives instructions to architects, engineers, contractors, and owners regarding construction and design requirements, application of various codes, and requirements to achieve compliance standards;
• Performs regular public counter functions, as needed;
• May calculate valuations and fees;
• May issue permits after plan review approval;
• Assists and provides guidance to Building Inspectors and other office staff on engineering, structural, and plan checking issues;
• May perform site observations of residential and non-residential construction to ensure compliance with all building codes and local ordinances;
• Prepares reports and correspondence pertaining to structural engineering problems and building code compliance;
• Prepares, establishes, and maintains up-to-date files on codes and amendments;
• Stays abreast of new county ordinances and building construction methods, materials, and requirements;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, or a related field;

and

Four (4) years of full-time professional engineering experience in building review, design, construction, and/or inspection.

Special Requirements

• Current registration/licensure as a civil or structural engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
• Must obtain required building plans examiner certification per California Health and Safety Code within two years of appointment.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• • As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Proper techniques for building plan examination;
• Engineering annotation symbols;
• Civil engineering principles as they pertain to building construction;
• The means, methods, materials and equipment used in building construction;
• Structural engineering principles and practices as applied to building design and construction;
• Applicable Federal, State, and County laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing building construction;
• Forms, permits, plans, and specifications used in a building inspection and code enforcement program;
• Report writing techniques;
• Project management principles, practices, and common procedures;
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret building plans, specifications, codes, and construction documents;
• Review site plans and architectural designs for methods of construction (for compliance with requirements);
• Observe construction for adherence to code requirements;
• Make structural calculations necessary to determine the adherence of structural plans to code requirements; advise on accepted construction methods and requirements;
• Communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Write technical correspondence and reports;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Exercise good judgement.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun.

Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:

a) Name of employer

b) Job title(s)

c) Start/end dates of employment

d) Number of hours worked per week

e) Job duties performed

A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete, or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a Competitive Rating process. Do you understand this requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• None
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Please indicate if you possess a Bachelors Degree or higher-level degree in any of the following fields.

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Other related field
• None of the above

04

If you selected the answer, "Other related field" in the previous question, please indicate the major field of study. If not applicable, type N/A.

05

How many years of experience do you have performing professional level engineering building review, design, construction, and/or inspection?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

06

Describe your experience performing professional level engineering building review, design, construction, and/or inspection.

Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:

a) Employer name(s)

b) Job title(s)

c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed

If no experience, please type N/A.

07

This position requires that you possess a current registration/licensure as a civil or structural engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. Do you possess a current civil or structural engineer registration/licensure?

• Yes
• No

08

If yes, please list your civil or structural engineer license number and expiration date. Please attach proof of it. If you do not possess this, type N/A.

09

This position requires that you obtain an International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner certification per the California Health and Safety Code within two (2) years of hire. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you possess a current International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner Certification per the California Health and Safety Code?

• Yes
• No

11

If yes, please list your International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner Certification certificate number and expiration date. Please attach proof of it. If you do not possess this, type N/A.

12

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

13

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/