Building Plans Examiner III

Job Description

Come Join Our Team !

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING

FOR

BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER I / II

• Position offered will be based on experience and training
• This recruitment remains open and ongoing until filled

First Review Application Deadline : 11 : 59 p.m. on Sunday December 7 2025

THE POSITION

Under direction reviews plans and specifications for proposed construction or alteration of buildings and structures to ensure compliance with California building codes statutes and local codes and ordinances including conventional construction fire and life safety and accessibility compliance; inspects buildings being constructed altered or repaired to determine conformance with codes and approved plans and specifications as required; and performs related work as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The City of Novato is looking for a self-motivated individual that thrives in problem solving. Candidates must be proficient in written and verbal communication. The ideal candidate for this position will possess working knowledge and experience with the California Building Code Standards and working with the public.

THE CITY

One of the Bay Areas premier communitiesNovatois located in Marin County 29 miles north of San Francisco. The second largest city in the CountyNovatohas a current population of about 56000 and covers 28 square miles.

Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational recreational retail and business opportunities. The residents are actively involved in important local decisions about quality of life issues and the future direction of their city as the City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are vigorously debated and discussed. The community fosters a small town atmosphere due to its low population density high amount of open space and parks vibrant downtown and engaged community members.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Building Plans Examiner I This is the entry-level in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks. The class of Building Plans Examiner I is considered to be in a training status and assignments are performed within the procedural framework established by higher-level employees. However as experience is acquired the employee performs with increasing responsibility and is expected to be performing at the II or journey level within the prescribed time frame.

Building Plans Examiner II This is the journey-level class in the Building Plans Examiner series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Plans Examiner I or when filled from the outside require prior experience performing all aspects of building plans examiner responsibilities. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee consistently performs the full range of duties assigned for the class and meet the classs qualification standards. Work in this class is distinguished from the Building Plans Examiner I by the higher level of discretion and independent judgment required in performing the full range of routine to complex plans examining duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED :

Building Plans Examiner I

Receives immediate supervision from the Chief Building Official.

Building Plans Examiner II

Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official.

May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.

Example of Duties

Essential Function Statements :

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Building Plans Examiner I

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Experience and Training

Experience :

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact including one (1) year working in community development building permitting plan checking building inspection construction engineering or a similar field.

Training :

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.

License or Certificate

Building Plans Examiner II

In addition to the qualifications of Building Plans Examiner I :

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Experience and Training

Experience :

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible clerical or technical work which included extensive public contact including three (3) years working in community development building permitting plan checking building inspection construction engineering or a similar field.

Training :

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction and building trades or a related field.

License or Certificate

Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions :

Office / field and construction environment. Work indoors is in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with natural or fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to external environment when going to outlying offices and meetings. The performance of outdoor work requires exposure to a variety of weather conditions (heat cold rain intense sun); exposure to potentially hazardous substances and chemicals and work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person email and telephone inquiries.

Physical Conditions :

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting standing or walking for prolonged periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to access enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend stoop kneel reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Employees must possess the ability to lift carry push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

The job may involve fieldwork requiring walking in field and construction environments.

SELECTION PROCESS

It is important to complete all required application materials including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening or may include a written examination skills assessment oral appraisal interview assessment center or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.

APPLICATION DEADLINE :

First Review Application Deadline : 11 : 59 p.m. on Sunday December 7 2025

Accommodation : Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing upon submittal of application.

The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Key Skills

Auditing,GAAP,Military Experience,Phlebotomy,Conflict Management,Vital Signs Experience,Computer Forensics,Research Experience,Securities Law,Operating Systems,PTSD Care,RMF

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 82490 - 111408