5214-Building Plans Engineer

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB CODE TITLE: BUILDING PLANS ENGINEER JOB CODE: 5214

Business Unit: COMMN

Definition: Under general administrative direction, manages the activities of the professional plan check personnel engaged in the review of the building construction and modification plans. The Building Plans Engineer directs, supervises and monitors the work of plan checkers and engineers who are involved with the review of plans, specifications and calculations prepared by architects, engineers and contractors and others in order to assure fire safety, energy conservation, disabled access and mechanical design (HVAC, smoke control) in conformance with applicable city, state and federal codes. The incumbent is also responsible for interpreting building code requirements; reviewing applications for materials substitutions; making field inspections, advising inspection personnel on acceptable engineering/construction practices, structural details, uses of materials and related building construction problems; and performing related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features: The Building Plans Engineer functions at the advanced - journey -level. Incumbents in this job code confer with engineers, architects and applicants on building code requirements and review and report on applications for complex alterations and new construction for permits for buildings and structures.

Supervision Exercised:

Job code 5214 may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over plan check personnel and engineers.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties: According to Civil Service Commission Rule 9, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Directs plan checkers and engineers in the review of plans, calculations and specifications prepared by engineers, architects and contractors to assure fire safety, architectural safety, energy conservation, handicapped access, mechanical design (HVAC, smoke control) in conformance with applicable city, state and federal codes.

2. Reviews and reports on applications for complex alterations and new construction permits for buildings and structures.

3. Confers with engineers, architects and applicants in connection with application review, preliminary planning or solution of technical problems relating to applicable building code requirements.

4. Interprets building code requirements relating to fire and architectural safety, mechanical design, energy conservation and disabled access to buildings.

5. Reviews applications for materials substitution and new construction methods and makes recommendations thereon.

6. Makes field inspections of structural failures (including earthquake-damaged buildings) complex construction and related field problems and makes recommendations for resolution of structural failures.

7. Advises inspection personnel on acceptable engineering/construction practices, structural details, uses of materials and related building construction problems.

8. Supervises and monitors the workload and productivity of plan checking staff.

JOB CODE TITLE: BUILDING PLANS ENGINEER JOB CODE: 5214

Business Unit: COMMN

Job Related and Essential Qualifications:

Knowledge of: principles and practices of civil and architectural engineering as applied to the alteration and construction of buildings and structures; modern engineering building methods; strength and uses of building construction materials; architectural safety; engineering features of building construction problems and applications of architectural and engineering techniques to practical building design and construction problems.

Ability to: plan, prioritize, assign, coordinate, direct, train and evaluate the activities of subordinate personnel engaged in plan checking activities, including the design and preparation of building construction plans with the review of such plans for conformance with applicable laws; direct subordinates' performance to maximize and maintain a positive and productive workflow; structure the work environment; delegate work assignments; interact tactfully and courteously with engineers, architects, plan checkers, contractors, building owners; speak in a clear, concise, organized, relevant and understandable manner; write effectively.

Skill to: apply structural engineering techniques to practical building construction problems.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

1. Six (6) years of verifiable professional experience as an engineer or architect, including at least two (2) years of which are equivalent to a 5208 Civil Engineer or Class 5268 Architect with the City and County of San Francisco and including a minimum of two (2) years building construction experience in the areas of construction, design, inspection or plan checking; AND

2. Possession of a valid California License as a Civil Engineer and/or Architect (submit copy with application); AND

3. Possession of a valid California Driver License (to be presented at the time of appointment).

License: Possession of a valid California License as a Civil Engineer and/or Architect.

Effective: 1/21/61

Amended: 7/18/00

Reason for Amendment: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation