Plan Checker

Plan Checker

Salary

$85,164.48 - $108,700.80 Annually

Location

City of Westminster, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-28

Department

Community Development

Opening Date

06/26/2026

Closing Date

7/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs professional engineering work in checking plans, calculations, specifications, technical reports, and other submittal documents for compliance with Federal, State, and local building codes, ordinances, and regulations; receives and checks plans and designs for complex structures, new and remodeled commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance; assists inspectors, contractors, design professionals, and the public regarding construction requirements; provides expert technical and professional assistance to the Community Development Director; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Community Development Director.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a professional-level single-position classification performing all routine and complex structural plan checks. Responsibilities include performing professional field and office engineering work and coordinating work with those of other City departments and public agencies and dealing with the public. Responsibilities include interpreting policies and procedures relating to building and construction activities and enforcing building codes.

Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs difficult structural analysis and reviews plan check submittal documents for permit applications for complex construction, alteration, or repair of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings for compliance with the Westminster Municipal Code, California State Building Code, disabled access requirements, energy conservation requirements, Uniform Building Code requirements for size, occupancy, exits, and construction methods and materials, and National Electrical, Uniform Plumbing, and Uniform Mechanical Code requirements; investigates building violations requiring citations or legal complaints.
• Reviews and evaluates construction documents including plans, drawings, blueprints, specifications, engineering calculations, and energy calculations for compliance; makes judgments as to whether structural designs or plans conform to applicable codes.
• Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, homeowners, and others relative to construction or building projects; coordinates plan examining activities with City departments and other agencies; confers and corresponds with other professional personnel in connection with building code interpretation and application; acts as an information source in person or by phone by answering related technical or code questions; discusses complicated issues with engineers and architects in terms of structural engineering items, building codes, etc.; responds to questions and concerns and resolves disputes.
• May visit construction sites and assist building inspectors in the field where engineering problems are encountered; advises on engineering matters and technical judgments.
• Prepares plan review reports or comment sheets noting plan deficiencies.
• Coordinates project approvals with staff, other departments, and outside agencies.
• Oversees coordination for building permits and plan reviews by other departments, divisions, or agencies.
• Responds to public inquiries over the telephone or at the counter concerning questions regarding permit processing, building, or other construction-related questions; calculates permit fees; assists applicants in achieving compliance with various codes and regulations.
• Attends meetings to review and discuss plans, documents, and code requirements; performs field reviews as necessary.
• Prepares reports and correspondence pertaining to structural engineering problems and building code enforcement; maintains records of plan checking activities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of structural and building plan review.
• Practices for documenting plan checking procedures, correcting discrepancies, and carrying through on court procedures.
• Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures.
• Construction methods, materials, tools, and equipment used for complex residential, commercial, and industrial construction, and principles of structural engineering.
• Methods, materials, tools, and safety practices of the building, plumbing, and electrical trades.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility, including building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life safety, energy, and related codes.
• Legal processes and considerations involved in prosecuting violations of the building codes and ordinances.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret building plans, specifications, and codes.
• Examine and correct building plans, calculations, and specifications in a rapid, uniform, and accurate manner.
• Analyze, evaluate, and solve or recommend effective solutions to building and code problems.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provide clarification and guidance regarding the application of codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Evaluate legal violations and take appropriate action.
• Make structural calculations necessary to determine the adherence of structural plans to code requirements.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

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

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil or structural engineering, architecture, or a related field and three (3) years of professional level experience in performing plan checking of complex commercial or industrial structures and/or the enforcement of building codes for a public agency.

A valid driver's license, or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel, may be required for some assignments.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various commercial and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, machinery, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to full time employees, including:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The Citys contract provides for the following retirement tiers:

Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011): 2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.

Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013): 2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.

The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.

INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the Citys cafeteria benefits plan provides $1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Family plan will receive an additional $400 per month towards the purchase of medical benefits (total of $2,000 per month).

Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

VACATION: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five (5) years. Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service. Employees are permitted to cash out accrued unused vacation hours a maximum of 2 times per calendar year.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays, and an additional 27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employees discretion.

HOLIDAY FURLOUGH: City offices are closed between Christmas and New Years Day. Employees may use accumulated leave banks or elect leave without pay during the furlough.

SICK LEAVE: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year. Employees may elect to cash out sick leave earned during the previous year at the rate of 50% of total value.

WORK SCHEDULE: The City offers flexible work schedules. Employees will have the option to work a 9/80, 4/10, or 5/8/40 work schedule. The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time.

LONGEVITY PAY: As an incentive for continuous service, employees are entitled to longevity pay at completion of the following service intervals:

• 21 years of service = 2.0% longevity pay
• 22 years of service = 4.0% longevity pay
• 23 years of service = 6.0% longevity pay
• 24 years of service = 8.0% longevity pay
• 25 years of service = 10.0% longevity pay

CELL PHONE / DATA PLAN REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who use their personal cell phone for business-related purposes may qualify for up to $60 per month reimbursement.

BILINGUAL PAY: The City provides $150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages including Spanish and Vietnamese.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, please refer to the Resolution covering Management, Administrative, and Confidential Employees at: City Compensation/MOUs

01

1. Do you have experience reviewing residential, commercial, and/or industrial construction plans for compliance with building, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy (Title 24), accessibility, and related codes? How many years of experience performing building plan review?

02

2. Do you currently possess an ICC Residential Building Plans Examiner and/or ICC Commercial Building Plans Examiner certification? If yes, please list your certification number(s). If not, can you obtain this certification within 12 months of hire?

Required Question

Employer City of Westminster

Address 8200 Westminster Blvd.

Westminster, California, 92683

Phone 714-548-3244

Website http://www.westminster-ca.gov/