Plans Examiner

The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a skilled and collaborative professional to join our team!

We are looking for a motivated Plans Examiner who is committed to ensuring safe, compliant, and high-quality development throughout our community. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong technical knowledge of building code principles, and enjoys working directly with architects, contractors, property owners, and City staff to support successful project outcomes.

Please note: Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $3,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. For candidates who live 50 or more miles from San Luis Obispo County, relocation assistance up to $7,000 may be available. In addition, the City is also honoring service credit toward vacation accrual for completed public-sector years of service.

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, so please hold that date.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reviews plans and supporting calculations for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings and other structures to be constructed, altered or repaired to ensure conformance with building codes and ordinances; reviews grading plans and specifications for code conformance; and interprets building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, disabled access, and energy codes.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This job class functions at a full journey level of classification and requires thorough knowledge of applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, codes, and ordinances related to building design and construction. Positions in this class work independently while performing established plan review duties.

SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Employees in this classification are under general supervision of the Fire Marshal/Chief Building Official and receive direct supervision from the Building and Safety Supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs the plan review of commercial, industrial and residential building construction projects to determine compliance with State and local building codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with property owners, architects, engineers, contractors, the general public, co-workers, other departments, and supervisors.
• Coordinates and monitors plan review accomplished by the City's consultants and other City departments.
• Acts as information source to property owners, builders, contractors, and architects regarding code compliance; explains and interprets building codes and regulations.
• Staffs the customer service counter as required to provide information, receive applications, calculate fees and conduct over-the–counter permit processing.
• Conducts inspections permitted projects and site review of proposed projects.
• Reviews architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical plans to determine compliance with applicable construction codes.
• Reviews test reports from laboratories and soil analysis reports from consulting engineers.
• Reviews development plans to determine compliance with the grading ordinance, drainage criteria, disabled access regulations, soil reports, engineering standards, zoning regulations, and subdivision conditions.
• Reviews structural calculations and plans for completeness, accuracy, and application of sound engineering principles.
• Coordinates plan review by other departments to ensure transmittal of corrections in a complete and professional manner.
• Researches information on proposed new products and materials and transmits results to architects, engineers, builders, and property owners.
• Conducts training sessions as required for Division staff concerning code changes, code interpretations, and compliance issues.
• Maintains accurate records and prepares reports related to assignment.
• Attends seminars for code classes and training; attends other meetings as assigned.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Proper principles, methods, techniques, and practices of building design.
• Computer applications applicable to permit application tracking and word processing.
• Engineering principles and practice, seismic analysis, and soil mechanics.• Federal, State, County, and City laws, codes, and ordinances relating to building construction, grading, and drainage.
• Types of building materials and variations in their quality.
• Methods of building construction.
• Acceptable health and safety standards in building construction.

Ability to:

• Interpret and enforce provisions of applicable building codes, ordinances, and regulations enforced by the City.
• Interpret and explain code requirements dealing with construction, grading, drainage, and site development.
• Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
• Read and interpret construction drawings, soil reports, and specifications.
• Review drainage calculations and design.
• Quickly and accurately make arithmetical calculations.
• Effectively and tactfully communicate in both verbal and written form.
• Establish and maintain records and prepare reports related to assignment.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Two years of college level coursework in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field

and

Two years of progressively responsible experience as a building inspector or plans examiner

or

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• Certification as a Plans Examiner by the International Code Council, or the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.

BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE, CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting – DOJ

Equal Opportunity & Language Access Notice

The City of San Luis Obispo values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion, and where everyone can thrive. Our job posting site is compatible with tools such as Google Translate, which applicants may use to view postings in their preferred language. Please note that all application materials and responses must be submitted in English, as English is the working language of the City.

La Ciudad de San Luis Obispo valora la diversidad, la equidad, la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia. Estamos comprometidos a fomentar una comunidad donde todas las personas sean tratadas con dignidad, respeto e inclusión, y donde todos puedan prosperar. Nuestro sitio de publicación de empleos es compatible con herramientas como Google Translate, que los solicitantes pueden usar para ver las publicaciones en su idioma preferido. Tenga en cuenta que todos los materiales de la solicitud y las respuestas deben enviarse en inglés, ya que el inglés es el idioma de trabajo de la Ciudad.

For questions or assistance, please contact [email protected]. Si tiene preguntas o necesita asistencia, por favor comuníquese con [email protected].

For a detailed spreadsheet of employee benefits by bargaining group, please view our Benefits Summary.

Retirement: California Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). The City participates only in the medicare portion of Social Security.

Health: the City has a cafeteria plan for health, dental and vision insurance and contributes towards medical insurance. Employees may choose from several health insurance options. There are also two dental plans to choose from. See the Benefits Summary link to determine the contribution amount.

Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: group term life and AD&D insurance is provided for all regular employees. The amount of coverage varies depending on the classification. Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Vacation: employees receive 12 days per year increasing to 20 days after 20 years.

Holidays: employees receive 12-13 days per year depending on the classification.

Sick Leave: employees receive 12 days per year.

Administrative Leave: is a benefit available to management employees. The number of administrative leave hours varies depending on the classification.

Flexible Work Schedule: is available to many positions within the City organization.

Long Term Disability Insurance: is available for regular employees. The amount of benefit and contribution by employee varies by classification.

Deferred Compensation: is available for employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to supplement retirement.

Wellness Program: offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being.

Employee Assistance Program: a counseling and consultation service designed to help employees and eligible family members with a wide range of personal issues.

Flexible Benefits Program: available to help employees save taxes on: (1) Pre-tax health insurance premium deductions, (2) Unreimbursed/ uncovered medical expenses, and (3) Dependent care expenses.

Tuition Reimbursement: up to $1500 annually for job-related educational costs is available to employees who have passed probation.

Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP): incentives are available for employees who voluntarily participate in alternative forms of transportation to and from work.

Computer Purchase Program: interest-free loans to employees who have passed probation and who purchase computers for personal use with City approved software configuration.

Professional Association for City Employees (PACE): voluntary organization for professional development training classes, monthly membership meetings with a variety of speakers, and social functions designed to facilitate interaction with employees from all departments in a relaxed setting away from work.