County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, receives building permit applications and checks building plans; answers questions over the telephone and at the public counter pertaining to building codes and regulations; assists homeowners and the general public with problems relating to the submission of proper plans for checking; and does related work as required

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The incumbent in this class is the primary building inspection office work person at the public counter; checking plans for conformance with all applicable codes and answering technical questions at the public counter or by telephone. The Plans Checker’s work is checked by a Supervising Plan Checker, who is available for consultation and who also may work at the public counter.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Waits on the public and is generally their first contact when they enter to file applications for building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits.
2. Assists the public in the proper completion of applications for permits.
3. Determines plan checking and permit fees due on permits.
4. Reviews the plans when submitted and determines if they are sufficiently complete for filing and, if not, advises the applicant of the requirements.
5. Determines which jobs shall require field site checks prior to issuing permits.
6. Makes field inspections as required for proposed construction in connection with the checking of the plans.
7. Checks the plans for dwelling construction, swimming pools, small commercial buildings, sign structures and miscellaneous structures for conformance with applicable codes, including the Building Code, land and occupancy use regulations pertaining to the Zoning Code, and Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.
8. Answers technical questions by contractors, architects, engineers and the general public at the public counter and over the telephone as to requirements of the Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Housing Code regulations.
9. Processes applications for permits and affixes signature on permits for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits.
10. Contacts building inspectors as required regarding special problems relating to the work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Education:

Possession of an associate of arts degree in civil engineering technology or in a related field.

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience checking residential building plans with a public jurisdiction.

Or II

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a building inspector requiring the interpretation of building plans and specifications and the determination of loads on structural members and selection of proper beam sizes.

License:

Possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Civil engineering technology, particularly pertaining to structures.
• General provisions of the Uniform Building Code, Uniform Plumbing Code.
• Uniform Mechanical Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Housing Code and the State.
• Electrical Safety Orders.
• Modern building materials, tools, practices and nomenclature.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret building plans and specifications readily.
• Detect deviations from approved plans and code.
• Determine loads of structural members and select proper beam sizes from prepared tables.
• Detect substandard materials and workmanship.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the public and persons engaged in building construction.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Revised 11/76
Retyped 5/85
DF:sw
Revised 11/8/93
Old document: Y:\0771H.wpf
New document: Jobspecs/8308
ys/9/01
CSC Date: 11/17/93

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.