Plan Checker

Under general supervision, the Plan Checker performs professional work in checking plans, calculations, specifications, technical reports, and other submittal documents for compliance with state and local building codes, ordinances, regulations and energy standards; receives and checks plans and designs new and remodeled commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance; assists inspectors, contractors, design professionals, and the public regarding construction requirements; performs related work as required.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate possesses good knowledge of reviewing plan as applied to the construction of all types of buildings; good knowledge of city ordinances, construction codes and regulations; ability to read and effectively analyze blueprints and plans; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written directions; ability to present material both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with public officials, contractors, owners, and general public; ability to effectively use computer applications software; resourcefulness and reliability.

Examples of typical job functions:

• Checks for compliance with requirements of applicable state and local codes and ordinances relating to architecture, and plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and energy systems.
• Uses digital plan review or other prescribed method to assist in the review of building plans and specifications and permit tracking software during the building permit process.
• Drafts plan review comments relative to code requirements in a matter that is technically sufficient for the professional and fundamentally understandable by the owner or builder.
• Provides expedited plan check services at the customer counter.
• Assists with and participates in the meetings between design professional, owners, builders, and others to explain, clarify and/or discuss comments on the submitted projects.
• Works with other state and county departments to ensure a complete and accurate plan review.
• Identifies project data necessary for permit processing such as project valuations type of construction, use, quantity, building size and provides that information in an easily understandable format to permit processing staff.
• Communicates with field inspectors, permit technicians and other departments to gain additional knowledge on projects that might affect the permit process to coordinate project if needed.
• Prepares plan review reports, comment sheets, and correspondence noting plan deficiencies and building code enforcement issues; maintains records of plan checking activities.
• Refers to a variety of manuals, documents and books including California Building Standards Code and reference documents and ICC Research Reports.
• Responds to public inquiries over the telephone, email or at the counter concerning questions regarding permit processing, building, or other construction-related questions; assists applicants in achieving compliance with various codes and regulations.
• Attends meetings to review and discuss plans, documents, and code requirements; performs field reviews as necessary.
• Conduct plan checks on commercial and residential projects.
• Maintains accurate records, reports, and tracks ongoing activities and outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• An Associate’s degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in building plan review, architectural design, and/or engineering technical support work.
• A four-year college or university with a degree in construction technology, civil or structural engineering, architecture or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a Plans Examiner Certificate issued by the International Conference of Building Officials, International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, or National Inspection Testing Certification within twelve (12) months of employment.

Benefits
The City offers an excellent benefits package consisting of:

• Health Insurance: City contribution up to $2,893 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or child care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 88 – 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
• Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34 hours of floating holiday time per year; 8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
• Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage
• Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
• Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
• A City-paid Caltrain GoPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park.
• A City-paid BayPass. This pilot program offers employees unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card.
• A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 10/29/2025, at 10am PST

Tentative Oral/Department Panel Examinations are scheduled for the first week of November 3, 2025.

Questions? Emails jobs@menlopark.gov or call (650)330-6670