Plans Examiner- Conveyance

Are you looking to join a team of skilled, collaborative, and dedicated professionals who provide excellent service? The City of Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is committed to building a safe, livable, and inclusive Seattle. We are seeking a motivated individual for the role of Plans Examiner for SDCI’s Conveyance Program. This is a unique opportunity to be a key member of the Conveyance Permitting and Inspections team.

The Conveyance Permitting and Inspections Program regulates the safety of over 8,700 elevators, escalators, material lifts, moving walkways, dumbwaiters, and other mechanical conveyances. As the Plans Examiner for SDCI’s Conveyance Program, you will perform conveyance reviews on building permits; assist with reviewing and processing all types of conveyance permits; assist field inspection personnel and contractors in reviewing and issuing project revisions and code interpretations; and researching and analyzing records of existing conveyances to determine impacts of proposed designs.

We are seeking a creative, team-oriented person to join us in providing supportive, solution-oriented service to our customers. Success in building relationships with stakeholders at all levels is also necessary.

The successful candidate must be a respectful, effective communicator who listens to understand, and holds high standards of accountability for themselves and others related to application and enforcement of our building codes, regulations, and related applicable standards.

SDCI has a culture of promoting an equitable work environment that allows us all to thrive by understanding how implicit bias effects outcomes and impacts individuals and the community members we serve.

Job Responsibilities

This challenging position is responsible for reviewing plans for commercial and residential elevators, escalators, material lifts, moving walks, dumbwaiters, and other mechanical conveyances as part of the review process for building permits; issuing corrections letters, and approving corrections to ensure compliance with adopted construction codes (such as the Seattle Building, Residential, and Existing Building Codes). They will also be assisting in reviewing application documents and processing conveyance permit applications, including issuing corrections, and final issuance of permits.

Applicants for this position must have the ability to read construction plans, interpret and apply relevant code language, and perform applicable mathematical calculations.

A Plans Examiner In SDCI’s Conveyance Program Should

• Be a nimble systems thinker.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to work in a high performance, team-oriented, fast-paced work environment.
• Have a collaborative working style and the ability to handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
• Be technologically savvy.

The Plans Examiner may also be assigned to coach architects, designers, contractors, and the general public regarding conveyance codes and installation requirements; advise inspectors on field related concerns; investigate materials and methods of construction; prepare reports and assist in clarifying code interpretations. They may also assist the conveyance programs administrative staff in resolving the issues of customers, contractors, and other city programs and divisions.

Additional code and business process training specific to conveyance will be provided to the successful applicant. The work will primarily be done independently. Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, construction technology or a related field;
• Two years of responsible experience in architecture, as a building plans examiner, building inspections, or in related code enforcement work.
• Additional experience can substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years.
• Other combinations of education, training and/or experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience as journey level elevator mechanic or equivalent elevator industry experience.
• Training in the principles and practices of plan review.
• Demonstrated and recent experience in the construction industry.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, Bluebeam and Accela software.
• Have a current certification or be willing to obtain an ICC Building Plans Examiner certification within 12 months of hire.
• Have a current certification or be willing to obtain a QEI certification within 12 months of hire.