Plans Examiner Senior

Plans Examiner Senior

Salary

$109,210.40 - $132,745.60 Annually

Location

Santa Barbara, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-0861-01 (O)

Department

Planning & Development

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

SALARY

$109,210.40 - $132,745.60 Annually

We are currently accepting applications to fill one full-time Plans Examiner Senior vacancy in Santa Barbara. 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:

• Significant plan check or design experience of buildings with various occupancy types, including non-residential, 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.
• Familiarity with ePermitHub a plus

Examples of Duties

These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

• 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; and 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; and 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 and calculates fees.
• Recommends plan changes to applicants to bring drawings and specifications into compliance with state and local building codes and ordinances.
• Advises professional engineers, architects, and others concerning code requirements, engineering, and planning problems arising in the preliminary design of buildings and structures and plan checkers in the resolution of structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy conservation, and disabled access problems.
• Submits reports to the Building Official regarding workload and process statistics, new products or situations, and code interpretation issues.
• Researches technical problems.
• Develops plan examination procedures.
• Assists the public at the counter, answering questions related to plans and permitting requirements.
• Trains departmental staff in application of new codes, policies, and procedures, and assists in training of plans examiner staff.

Employment Standards

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's degree in Architectural, Civil, or Structural Engineering; or Architecture; OR certification in the Fundamentals of Engineering; AND

• Two years of plan checking or building inspection experience outside of Santa Barbara County; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Plans Examiner or Building Inspector II or above with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

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; and make and support decisions, even when they are unpopular.

Desirable Qualifications: Possession of International Code Council (ICC) certification in plans examination and 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, 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: 09/17/2026 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

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 (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• 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 (available below)

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.

01

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? A Bachelor's degree in Architectural, Civil, or Structural Engineering; or Architecture; OR certification in the Fundamentals of Engineering; AND

• Two years of plan checking or building inspection experience outside of Santa Barbara County.
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Plans Examiner or Building Inspector II or above with Santa Barbara County.
• 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.

02

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.

03

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."

04

Do you possess a bachelors degree or higher in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Architecture? If yes, please provide the degree type (e.g., B.S., B.A., B.Arch., M.S.), major, and the name of the college or university. This information should also be listed on your application. If you do not possess one of these degrees, please type "N/A."

05

Do you possess a certification in the Fundamentals of Engineering?

• Yes, I possess a certification in the Fundamentals of Engineering.
• No, I do not possess a certification in the Fundamentals of Engineering.

06

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. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules

• I understand.

07

Are you currently a Certified Access Specialist (CASp)?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you currently possess an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner certification?

• Yes
• No

09

How many years of professional experience do you have performing building plans examination (plan review)?

• 6 years or more
• 4 years up to 6 years
• 2 years up to 4 years
• Less than 2 years
• None / No experience

10

Which of the following project types have you independently performed plan review? (Select all that apply)

• Commercial buildings
• Mixed-use developments
• Multi-family residential (R-1/R-2)
• Industrial buildings
• Educational, institutional, or assembly occupancies
• Single-family residential (R-3)
• None of the above

11

Which of the following code disciplines have you reviewed for compliance as part of a plan review? (Select all that apply)

• Structural
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Energy (Title 24)
• Accessibility (California Building Code Chapter 11B)
• None of the above

12

Which of the following duties have you regularly performed? (Select all that apply)

• Interpreted California Building Code
• Reviewed structural calculations
• Calculated occupancy/load/allowable area
• Provided technical guidance to architects, engineers, or contractors
• Prepared correction notices
• Issued permits
• Coordinated plan review with other agencies
• Trained or mentored staff
• None of the above

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Barbara

Address 1226 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California, 93101

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty