Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician)

Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician)

Salary

$78,478.40 - $105,809.60 Annually

Location

Orange County

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

1662SM-1026-080 (O)

Department

OC Public Works

Opening Date

10/21/2026

Closing Date

11/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

PLANS EXAMINER

(Senior Permit Technician)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Senior Permit Technician positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST)

OC DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

OC Development Services is a service area within OC Public Works (OCPW) that oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County's unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations - all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

Click here for more information on OC Development Services.

Click here for more information on OCPW.

Click here for more information on the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OCPW has an opening for a Plans Examiner (Senior Permit Technician) in OC Development Services/ Building & Safety. The Plans Examiner will be responsible for participating in permitting activities and may also serve as a lead to Permit Technicians or Permit Technician Trainees by organizing, prioritizing, assisting with training, monitoring activities, and ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Incumbents are required to possess an understanding of state laws, municipal and County ordinances, and zoning principles and practices governing construction and land use, and are expected to act independently when interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to the public and County employees.

Responsibilities and duties for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform technical plan checking of residential, commercial, and industrial building plans and designs for overall code compliance, which may include fire and life safety, structural safety requirements including earthquake and wind load stress determination, electrical, energy, accessibility, plumbing, and mechanical requirements

• Respond to inquiries from engineers, architects, designers, and the public regarding the interpretation of technical code requirements, including fire and life safety, structural safety, electrical, energy, accessibility, plumbing, and mechanical requirements as well as any specific County building standards

• Advise permit applicants, engineers, designers, or architects whose plans are not in conformance with required codes and indicate where designs do not comply with code requirements and regulations

• Coordinate plan check activities with other County departments and outside agencies

• Evaluate construction plans for the issuance of permits and collection of applicable fees

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, a Permit Technician Certificate and/ or a Plans Examiner Certificate from the International Code Council (ICC) are highly desirable.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and experience in the following competencies:

Technical knowledge | Skills

• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs and office equipment
• Interpreting maps, building plans, design plans, specifications, and working plans related to Planning and Land Use, Applications, and Permits
• Understanding and applying building codes, zoning, and land use rules and regulations, and other State and County ordinances
• Regulatory practices, rules, and ordinances governing a buildings proper construction, use, occupancy, safety, and sanitation

Customer Service

• Strong customer service skills for internal and external customers
• Interacting with customers for prolonged periods of time at the permitting counter, over the phone, or via email (online portal)
• Exercising tact, good judgment, and patience in assisting the public
• Works well in a team environment

Communication | Oral & Written

• Accurately and concisely exchanging information with others, both orally and in writing
• Comprehending and interpreting technical material related to the job and catering the information appropriately to the receiving audience
• Asking questions, listening for information, responding to customers, and entering data and notes into an automated permitting system

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Please click here for details on the Senior Permit Technician classification, including the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Countys needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "oc.gov" If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rose Nguyen at Rose.Nguyen@pw.oc.gov or (714) 667-9699

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.

http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

01

The information you provide will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. NOTE: Responses of "See Work Experience", "See Resume," or copying and pasting work experience are not qualifying responses. If you have no experience, write "N/A" for the appropriate question. By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement.

• Yes, I have read and understand
• No

02

A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required for this position and must be maintained throughout employment. Do you currently possess a valid California Driver License Class C or higher?

• Yes, I possess a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher.
• No, I do not currently possess a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher,

03

Please select the option that best describes your experience and/or education. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services N.A.C.E.S

• (A) One (1) or more years as a Permit Technician at the County of Orange, or in a comparable classification at a public agency
• (B) Two (2) or more years of experience AND the successful completion of two (2) years or 50 units of coursework offered by an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in urban planning, geography, building inspection, construction technology, environmental studies, engineering, mathematics, or a closely related field.
• (C) Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in a permitting environment performing in the areas of land use, architecture, zoning, planning, building inspection, surveying, construction, engineering, environmental studies, or in a closely related field.
• (D) None of the above

04

If you had chosen option (B) for the above Question #3, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application. Please attach the required documents to avoid disqualification in the recruitment process. *Official transcripts will be requested at the time of job offer.

• I understand
• N/A

05

In reference to question #3, please describe your permitting experience in the area of land use. In your response, please include your employer, number of years employed, and a summary of your duties. If you have no experience, please write N/A. Responses such as "see resume" will not be accepted

06

Please select which of the following certification(s) you process from the International Code Council (ICC)?

• Permit Technician Certificate
• Plans Examiner Certificate
• N/A - None of the above

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov