Senior Plan Check Engineer

The City of Salinas is accepting applications for a Senior Plan Check Engineer. This recruitment is open until filled and may close at any time. Apply today!

In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for an Educational Achievement premium of 2.5% for a Bachelor's degree plus 2.5% for a job-related graduate degree. This position will also receive a 4% salary increase effective in July 2024. Please click here for a complete description of benefits.

Certificate of registration as a civil and/or structural engineer in the State of California is required within the 18-month probationary period.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All applicants must provide proof of the required education, certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT), and International Code Council (ICC) Certification as a Building Plans Examiner (B3) at the time of application or submit to the Human Resources Department. Applicants with foreign degrees/transcripts must provide U.S. degree equivalency by submitting a credential evaluation report. Applications are incomplete without the required documents and will be disqualified. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all documents are received.

Summary of Duties : To participate in and perform the more complex and professional plan review; participate in the enforcement of the City’s codes for development and activities of permitting, records management, and development review.

Distinguishing Characteristics : This is the advanced journey and lead level in the Plan Check series. Assignments are based upon complexity of the project, requiring the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in prioritizing, scheduling, and coordinating work. Incumbents are expected to perform more complex plan review with a substantial level of professional training and experience.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general direction from the Supervising Plan Checker or Department Director designee. May exercise supervision of staff as assigned.

1. Responds and takes appropriate action to public inquiries and concerns related to permit submittals, counter questions, and general inquiries regarding all community development projects.
2. Performs plan check for permit issuance.
3. Makes oral presentations at City Council or other boards as assigned.
4. Monitors the annual budget for contract plan review staff.
5. Monitors State and City fees for compliance with the budget documents and fee and charge reports.
6. Prepares and reviews plans specifications, estimates and technical reports for accuracy, suitability, and completeness with interpretation of the adopted codes.
7. Prepares written reports and correspondence.
8. Confers with contractors, consulting engineers, sub?dividers, and members of the public on complex development projects.
9. Performs complex engineering design review.
10. Assess the work of the City’s outside plan check consultants work and coordinates with outside plan check consultants for consistency and accuracy in plan reviews.
11. Reviews and prepares comments for all levels of project review.
12. Coordinates with other City departments in the permitting and plan checking process.
13. Reviews development proposals and building plan checks, prepares conditions of approval, and recommends corrections.
14. Provides input regarding permit tracking systems and procedures to resolve problems and improve efficiency.
15. Works as a point of contact for complex projects.
16. Maintains the information distribution aspect of the Permit Services Division, including handouts, Web updates, and staff training.
17. May provide direction to or serve as a lead for lower-level staff, as assigned.
18. Works with other staff to develop and implement overall development review process.
19. May coordinate the preparation, distribution, explanation, tabulation, and review of new code interpretations.
20. Assists in court actions involving building, housing, plumbing, electrical and related violations.
21. May act on behalf of the Supervising Plan Checker in his/her absence.
22. Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• The methods, materials, techniques, and practices employed in building design, construction, and inspection
• Civil engineering principles as they pertain to building construction
• Building structural engineering principles and practices
• Applicable City, State and Federal laws, codes, and ordinances
• Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and related codes and regulations
• Forms, permits, plans, and specifications used in a building inspection and code enforcement program
• Methods of report preparation and presentation
• Past and current building code standards
• Principles of organization, administration, and budget management in municipal government
• Principles and practices of administration, training, workload planning, establishing goals and objectives and problem-solving techniques

Ability to:

• Review and perform complex plan review engineering work, computations verifying, design and construction of a variety of projects
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate reviews of specifications and technical reports
• Accurately interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Conduct engineering inspections in the field
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Deal tactfully and effectively with the general public, civic and community groups and public officials
• Communicate with other engineers and other City personnel regarding the conduct and completion of submitted projects
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Operate a personal computer and applicable software programs
• Effectively organize workload
• Assist in developing Department policies and procedures in area of assignment

Skills to:

• Examine building plans, calculations, and specifications for accuracy and compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations
• Perform, review, and document the review of engineering calculations

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil or structural engineering or architecture.

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience as a plan checker preparing and/or reviewing plans for conformance with ICC model codes.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Possession of a certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT). Obtain certificate of registration as a civil and/or structural engineer in the State of California within the 18-month probationary period. Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Certification as a Building Plans Examiner (B3). Employee must complete SB1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computer, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals, detailed fine writing on plans and specifications for development projects, and distinguish colors for design evaluation purposes; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead as needed; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 30 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions. Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or counter for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Occasional field inspections to investigate field problems affecting code compliance and/or resolve code interpretation. Occasionally includes driving to job sites, trainings, and off-site meetings. Occasionally conduct City business during evening hours, including occasional weekend and irregular hours.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

For questions, please contact Patricia Peñaloza, Human Resources Manager, at (831) 758-7416 or