Plans Examiner

Full Job Description

We are currently accepting applications to fill one full-time Plans Examiner vacancy in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. The current vacancy is in the Planning and Development Department.

THE POSITION: Under general direction, receives and checks plans for buildings and structures for compliance with applicable building codes, ordinances, and regulations; advises applicants for permits on possible modifications to conform with requirements; issues permits; and does related work as required.

For information about the Planning & Development Department, please visit: http://sbcountyplanning.org/

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Plan check or design experience of buildings with various occupancy types for compliance to the California Buildings Codes including energy conservation and disabled accessibility.
• Structural design experience or structural plan check of various structural systems.
• Outstanding customer service skills with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Requirements

1. Examines plans and specifications for buildings and structures for completeness and conformity with all requirements including stresses, live and dead loading, soil characteristics, mechanical and electrical calculations, safety and health features, use of materials, placement on property, and setbacks.
2. Analyzes individual building components to determine the type of construction and occupancy groups and computes floor area and allowable height; refers the more complex electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, mechanical or structural plans to individuals specializing in these areas.
3. Coordinates the review of plans with other public agencies whose approval is necessary; itemizes required corrections and modifications and explains them to permit applicants.
4. Authorizes the issue of building permits, and moving permits for plans that meet code and ordinance requirements; calculates fees.
5. Advises and assists architects, contractors, builders, and the general public with regard to interpretation and application of pertinent building regulations, state laws, and local ordinances.
6. Submits reports to the Building Official regarding workload and process statistics, new products or situations, and code interpretation issues.
7. Provides assistance to the public at the counter, answering questions related to plans and permitting requirements.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

1. Three years of building inspection and/or plan checking experience; OR,
2. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Building Permit Technician Sr. or Building Inspector II (or higher) with Santa Barbara County AND a valid certificate as an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional QualificationsFor specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as condition of continued employment.

Knowledge of: building construction methods and materials; basic engineering, practices, and techniques; Uniform Building Code; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and applicable State laws; arithmetic, trigonometry, and plane geometry.

Ability to: analyze and interpret building plans and specifications; interpret and enforce laws and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with builders, applicants, and others; organize, prepare, and present records and reports effectively in written or oral form; communicate technical information clearly and understandably to a non-technical audience; maintain objectivity; represent the department with diplomacy and tact; make and support decisions, even when they are unpopular.

Desirable Qualifications: Possession of International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certification in plans examination and Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.

Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.

Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list.

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI.

Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by email during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please click here to learn more.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service.

Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 04/08/2026 at 4:59pm PST Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst: erkuhn@countyofsb.org