Plans Examiner

Plans Examiner

Salary: $102,589.76 - $123,485.44 Annually Location: County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 26-0860-01 (O) Department: Planning & Development Opening Date: 03/18/2026 Closing Date: 4/08/2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific

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.

Examples of Duties

• 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.
• 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.
• Coordinates the review of plans with other public agencies whose approval is necessary; itemizes required corrections and modifications and explains them to permit applicants.
• Authorizes the issue of building permits, and moving permits for plans that meet code and ordinance requirements; calculates fees.
• 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.
• Submits reports to the Building Official regarding workload and process statistics, new products or situations, and code interpretation issues.
• Provides assistance to the public at the counter, answering questions related to plans and permitting requirements.

Employment Standards

Education and Experience

• Three years of building inspection and/or plan checking experience; OR
• 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
• 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 Qualifications For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Drivers 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
• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• 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.

Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans

For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.sbcers.org/ and http://www.santabarbara457.com

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans.
• In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members.
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits.
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care: Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!

For more information on our health benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4012/Health-Benefits

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Sick Leave: 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Paid Holidays: Based on bargaining unit.
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM): Up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting.

For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit.

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply

For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4013/24636/WorkLife-Benefits

Compensation Summary To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3087/Engineers-Technicians-Association

This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing.

   • Which Employment Standard do you meet and clearly state on your application?
   • Three years of building inspection and/or plan checking experience.
   • 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.
   • 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.
   • None of the above.
   • I understand I do not meet the qualifications for this position and will not be considered.

2. If you selected, "a combination of training, education and experience..." in the preceding question, please describe in detail how your training, education, and experience, is equivalent to one of the standards above it and how it qualifies you for this position.

3. Describe in detail your experience in building inspection and plan checking. Please include your employer name(s), dates of employment, title(s) and overall responsibilities. This information should also be listed on your application. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

4. Do you possess a valid certificate as an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner?

   • Yes, I possess a valid certificate as an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner.
   • No, I do not possess a valid certificate as an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner.

5. Your responses to the following questions will be read and scored by raters. The raters WILL NOT have access to your application/resume while reviewing your responses. Although you may have some of this information on your application, you will need to answer the questions completely. In order to give the raters the best opportunity to evaluate your responses, please make sure you read the questions carefully and fully answer all of the questions asked. This is your only opportunity to provide detailed information. Failure to provide full and complete answers may affect the outcome of your score and rank on the employment list. I understand.

6. I understand the following supplemental questions are a Civil Service Examination. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighted, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. Do not enter "see resume" or "see application" as raters will not have access to any information except what you enter in the box for each question. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/civil-service-rules/rule-six.sbc#six-612 I understand.

7. Please explain in detail the scope of the most challenging residential project that you have designed, constructed, or plan reviewed. Describe your role in the project and what aspects of the project made it challenging. Do not type "see resume" or "see application" as raters will not have access to any information except what you enter in the response box below.

8. Please explain in detail your experience in plan review of residential projects. For each position, include the employer name, job title, duration of employment with this experience, and detailed experience / responsibilities. Do not type "see resume" or "see application" as raters will not have access to any information except what you enter in the response box below.

9. Please describe in detail the type, scope, and extent of your participation in design, construction or plan review of non-residential projects. For each position, include the employer name, job title, duration of employment with this experience, and detailed experience / responsibilities. Do not type "see resume" or "see application" as raters will not have access to any information except what you enter in the response box below.

Required Question

Employer: County of Santa Barbara Address: 1226 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California, 93101 Website:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty