This posting is only open to current City of Eugene employees*.

*Employees must be current full-time employees, part-time, limited duration (LD) employees, or Recreation Activity Employees (RAEs). Temporary employees are not eligible to apply. Following the internal posting, this position may be posted to external candidates.

(Picture City of Eugene)

Do you want to be a part of making a great community even greater? As part of Eugene’s Planning and Development Department, the Building and Permit Services Division promotes safe, efficient, and effective development consistent with our community values by making sure structures, development, and businesses in our community meet State and local code requirements at the time of construction. Our Permit and Information Center, where this position is housed, is an innovative ‘team of teams’ and we continually strive to surpass industry standards for seamless, transparent, reliable, accessible, equitable, and timely customer service.

The Commercial Plans Examiner role is an integral part of the City’s Building & Permit Services Division. It is a dynamic and rewarding position that serves a multi-faceted role in the permit review process. Our team of commercial plans examiners serve as project coordinators on commercial permits, which means they are the primary contact for colleagues from several other internal review teams such as fire marshals, public works, erosion, community development, and land use staff. Commercial plans examiners also serve as the primary City contact for permit applicants and regularly coordinate directly with builders, owners, architects, and engineers throughout the plan review and permitting process to ensure project compliance and success. Additionally, via our custom permit system, eBuild, commercial plans examiners perform technical review electronically for building, fire and life safety, and mechanical compliance on all commercial and multi-family projects. This position functions in a collaborative, solution-oriented environment and the ideal candidate will be someone who blends creative problem solving with high integrity and professionalism. Through application of our processes and methods, along with individual skills, knowledge, and creativity, the successful candidate will bring leadership and direction to projects while supporting team members to do their best work to ensure timely and convenient service for the City of Eugene’s permit applicants.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Applications will be reviewed every three weeks.
Accepting Online Applications Only

Information on How to Apply

Classification: Commercial Plans Examiner

Salary: $40.93 - $53.20 Hourly / $85,134.40 - $110,656.00 Annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department/Division: Planning & Development / Building and Permit Services Division

Position Information: Non-Represented, Non-exempt

Work Location: Atrium, 99 W 10th Ave., Eugene OR

This position is expected to report onsite full time. Remote workdays remain an option after one year, to accommodate travel, or occasionally focus on major work projects.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. with the flexibility per business need.

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as benefits packages.

Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see “Supplemental Information” at the end of the posting for more information.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

• Acts as primary contact for internal city plan review staff involved in multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial plan reviews.
• As part of the process of checking plans to verify conformance with the State of Oregon building codes, plans examiners are delegated by administrative order 53-05-07 the duty, responsibility, and authority to review and interpret the City’s Administrative Code (EC 8.005) and State of Oregon building codes for which they are certified.
• Functions as plan review project coordinator for the review process; establishes project review deadlines; monitors reviews progress and status; identifies problems impacting timelines; coordinates reviews by other departments, divisions, and public agencies; coordinates, compiles and presents staff review comments to permit applicants.
• Examines residential, commercial, and industrial construction plans, specifications, structural calculations, and documents to determine compliance with applicable State building, fire and life safety, and mechanical codes and other specified ordinances applicable to the City of Eugene.
• Evaluates projects for scope of work to determine issues requiring review by other workgroups; resolves plan review issues with staff in other departments, divisions, and public agencies.
• Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, and owners on proposed projects to identify code deficiencies and identify issue resolution options.
• Approves plans; identifies conditions of approval; issues permit(s) for construction; calculates permit fees.
• Responds to inquiries and advises design professionals and the public about policies and procedures concerning various construction related codes.
• Conducts research, including inspecting historical records, Laserfiche and document files; provides code interpretation analysis and suggests alternative methods or materials based on City policy.
• May perform field inspections to determine code compliance, and proper installation and construction of construction of unusual designs, materials, or equipment; advises building inspectors of unusual design, construction or installation problems.
• Prepares analysis, recommendations, and reports on departmental code policies.
• Identifies solutions to correct defects or inadequacies found; requires that corrections be made to meet the requirements of pertinent codes.
• May be required to collaborate with and facilitate coordination of private sector consultants for City reviews of construction documents.
• Acts as the Building Official designee for code interpretation and enforcement.
• Attends and serves on a variety of City committees and task teams.
• Actively supports and respects diversity in the workplace.
• Performs other duties, as required.

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification: Commercial Plans Examiner

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

Two years’ professional experience in building design or a building construction-related field;

--OR—

Two years’ experience working on behalf of a jurisdiction performing building permit inspections or plan reviews for buildings or structures regulated by the state building code or its equivalent.

Education

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the assigned program area. Master’s degree preferred.

Background

Must pass a background check.

License

Valid Oregon driver’s license or, the ability to obtain by date of hire]; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City’s standard. Oregon law requires that an out-of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

Certifications

Possession of, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire, the following certifications:

• Oregon Inspector Certification (OIC); and,
• Either an International Code Council Commercial Building Plans Examiner (ICC B3) or an Oregon Structural Plans Examiner – A-Level (PEA); and,
• Either an International Code Council Commercial Fire Plans Examiner (ICC F3) or an Oregon Fire and Life Safety Plans Examiner (PEF); and,
• Either an International Code Council Commercial Mechanical Inspector (ICC M2) or an Oregon Mechanical Inspector– A-Level (MIA) and,
• Either an International Code Council Residential Plans Examiner (ICC R3) or Oregon Residential Plans Examiner (CAX).

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities

Knowledge

• Engineering principles related to materials and construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, and design concepts of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.
• Types of building construction, materials, and methods.
• Pertinent City, County and State building codes and related ordinances.
• Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.
• Procedures and techniques of field inspection.
• Research methods and sources of information related to building code enforcement.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Evaluate structural engineering calculations, details, and specifications.
• Apply engineering knowledge and follow proper plan check techniques to examine quality of work and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Determine if construction plans and documents conform to City, County and State requirements.
• Determine pertinent reviews for projects based on knowledge of all reviews required by State and local building codes and ordinances.
• Interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Read and interpret complex building plans, engineering calculations, site surveys and project specifications.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
• Complete advanced mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Strategically manage work schedule to allow for effective management of concurrent projects.
• Maintain accurate and up to date permit records.
• **Conduct in-depth research and author technical reports, incorporating accurate and comprehensive information to support decision-making.
• Communicate in writing and orally, inside and outside the organization to variety of audiences.
• **Effectively coordinate and lead issue resolution meetings, fostering a collaborative environment for resolving complex challenges.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working conditions

Work performed primarily in an office environment. Eye/hand coordination needed to operate personal computer. Sitting or standing may be required for prolonged periods. Ability to visit construction sites as related to plan review and code regulation. Driving a motor vehicle on public roads as needed.

Bilingual Pay Benefit

This benefit compensates non-represented employees up to 5% of their base salary. To qualify for bilingual pay, the employee must demonstrate fluency in an eligible language and pass a language proficiency test that is administrated by the City’s Employee Resource Center division.

Non-Represented Retirement Program

Upon eligibility, the City will contribute an employee contribution of 6%, as well as the employer contribution, to a retirement program administered by the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). In addition, the City will pay a 3% contribution to a deferred compensation program if the employee contributes at least 1%.

From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2034, most retirees may work for a PERS-participating employer for an unlimited number of hours while continuing to receive their pension benefit based on HB 2296. If you have questions about your specific situation, including any restrictions to hours, please refer to the PERS: Work After Retirement.

What to Expect from our Selection Process

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.