Certified Structural Plans Examiner

Nature of Work

A certified Structural Plans Examiner is an individual who has been delegated powers and duties by a Building Official or Chief Structural Plans Examiner to perform plan reviewers of the Building Code. This position is responsible for the examination of construction plans and specifications for compliance with applicable national, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations in the City’s Building Department. Work involves approving or disapproving construction plans and specifications prior to issuing building permits. Work includes field and office duties.

Illustrative Examples of Essential Duties

• Performs detailed structural and building plan reviews including loads analysis, computation of structural capacities, evaluation of handicap requirements, layout, material, construction methods, general design and specifications.
• Reviews roofing permits, analyzing and reviewing the engineering, and evaluating the required documentation.
• Reviews construction plans for elevators and issues permits.
• Approves or rejects plans, blueprints, specifications, and materials lists based on compliance with applicable building regulations and good building and construction practices and issues licenses accordingly.
• Recommends methods, materials, equipment, and alterations to assist in compliance with accepted standards.
• Administers the City’s Board Up program which includes coordination with contractors and the inspection of failed or suspected soon-to-fail or fire damaged buildings.
• Requests vacation and/or demolition of any building or structure declared unsafe.
• Interprets and explains regulations and standards and disseminates technical advice to interested parties including subordinates, other sections and agencies, and the public.
• Conducts or assigns mechanical, building, and emergency technical field inspections as needed.
• Investigates and resolves complaints.
• Testifies in court and before related boards, obtains documentation, and prepares testimony.
• Prepares and maintains reports, records, and correspondence concerning building enforcement and inspection activities.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Requirements

• A Florida licensed professional engineer who has obtained such license by examination under the structural discipline and who has practiced as a structural engineer for a period of not less than five years after licensure; or

• A Florida license professional engineer who obtained licensure prior to March 1, 1993, by examination in either the civil/structural or civil/structural/sanitary categories and who has practiced as a structural engineer within the jurisdiction of this chapter for a period of 5 years licensure.

• Not less than two years of experience in the HVHZ or, in lieu of the HVHZ experience, has completed an eight-hour HVHZ training course approved by the Board of Rules and Appeals before certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, word processor, calculator, copier, and fax machine
• Some standing, walking, moving, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, and reaching
• Must have the physical ability to bend, crawl and climb over construction sites and within buildings
• Must be able to drive an automobile and perform on-site inspections at locations which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

For all positions:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press the general public and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of all city ethics and conflicts of interest policies. Strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Performs related work as required.
• Reports to work as directed during an emergency as an essential employee of the City of Miami Beach.

For all technical, professional, supervisory and managerial positions:

• Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions to issues consistent with the City’s strategic plan.