Department:
Planning and Development Services
Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
Our Planning & Development Services department is seeking a Building Plans Examiner capable of reviewing construction plans, blueprints, and site plans, helping to ensure compliance with building and safety codes. This role requires experience with ordinances and knowledge of construction principles. Strong customer service skills are essential as this role works closely with contractors, developers, design professionals, property owners, and the public!
Based on your skills and experience, this position's starting pay ranges from $28.34 (Level I) up to $31.16 (Level II), benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are opportunities for advancement! Apply today to take the first step towards a stable career, known for its impact on our community for both guests and residents alike!
In this role, you will...
Provide a skilled review of residential, commercial, and miscellaneous construction to ensure compliance with established building codes and regulations.
Approve and/or deny various permits and ensure the accurate recording of all permits issued.
Consult all applicable professional and official manuals, references, and code books in researching plan compliance (i.e., all construction disciplines, safety codes, fire resistance, hurricane resistance, energy codes, zoning regulations, state statutes, etc.).
Partner with contractors, developers, design professionals, or property owners to provide recommendations for corrections/modifications before issuance of applicable permitting.
Communicate information to contractors, developers, engineers, architects, owners, and the public concerning building practices, building codes, and permitting requirements.
Maintain an excellent customer service standard in answering questions for the public on building issues, codes, and ordinances, and interface positively with peers, co-workers, and other customers across the enterprise.
Perform reports and records maintenance duties (i.e.: applications, rejection reports, projects completed, production reports, and case studies).
Determine inspections required to bring about compliance and for permit issuance.
Work Hours:
Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (no weekends!)
This position is in-office! Enjoy the AC, with the benefit of partners available to review the plans with you and answer any questions you may have!
Building Plans Examiner I (Starting Pay: $28.34/hr, potential higher pay based on experience, education, and internal equity)
To thrive in this position, you must have:
High School Diploma or its equivalent with 4(+) years of experience in applicable construction trade (Building – Structural) or related field inspection, or plans review.
OR: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent courses from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Fire Administration, Building Construction/Inspection, or related field may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience with a minimum of 1 year of field construction.
Valid Provisional License as a Building Plans Examiner or be willing to obtain within 120 days of hire. (We can help with this!)
Valid Standard Building Plans Examiner license or be willing to obtain a Standard Building Plans Examiner license before the expiration of the Provisional License (within 1 year of issuance of Provisional License). (We can help with this, too!)
Valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
Building Plans Examiner II (Starting Pay: $31.16/hr, potential higher pay based on experience, education, and internal equity)
To thrive in this position, you must have:
High School Diploma or its equivalent with 3+ years of experience performing plans reviews and/or inspections.
Valid Standard Building Plans Examiner License with 1 of the following licenses: Building Inspector License, Mechanical Commercial Inspector license, Plumbing Commercial Inspector License, Electrical Inspector License, Residential Plans Examiner License, or Fire Safety Inspector I.
Valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:
Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.
State of Florida DBPR Standard or Provisional Plans Examiner licenses are preferred, including Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and/or Mechanical disciplines.
Experience working with Accela and Digital Plans Room is highly preferred.
Strong knowledge of local building codes and ordinances, state laws, and applicable regulations, with the ability to interpret and apply them accurately.
Ability to read and interpret construction-related documents such as site plans, blueprints, technical reports, surveys, and related project documentation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and ability to learn County systems (such as Workday and Accela), along with strong communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years.
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:
1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
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If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
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Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
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Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.
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Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
