Plan Checking Engineer

Plan Checking Engineer

The City of Palo Alto is a fast-paced, dynamic, and innovative environment focused on providing exceptional service. The Planning & Development Services department reviews private and public development proposals, enforces municipal regulations, and provides policy analysis to elected and appointed officials. Development Services is a program within the department that is principally responsible for reviewing and issuing building permits, conducting inspections, and providing customer service to residents, business owners, developers, and trade professionals. This work is largely carried out at the City's Development Center, a one-stop permitting center. However, many of these services are now available online. We strive for consistency in our work, predictable review times, and adherence to city, state, and federal requirements.

The City Council authorized the hiring of a Plan Checking Engineer to support the Building Division's transition to a more technology-forward, in-house model of plan review. Historically reliant on outside consultants, the department is now investing in internal expertise to improve accountability, consistency, and quality assurance. The Plan Checking Engineer will leverage modern digital tools, including electronic plan check systems (e.g., Bluebeam, DigEplan) and permit tracking platforms to review plans and structural calculations for compliance with California Building Codes and the City of Palo Alto Municipal Code. This position will ensure timely reviews, proactively resolve code conflicts, and promote streamlined review processes aligned with the City's electrification, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and affordable housing initiatives. The role also includes participation in case conferences, code interpretation discussions, and coordination with design professionals and other city departments. Another key function of this position is to provide support at the City's Development Center counter, both virtually and in person, offering technical guidance, processing over-the-counter reviews, and assisting applicants. The Plan Checking Engineer will apply engineering judgment, conduct detailed technical evaluations of energy and structural documents, and ensure conformance with city, state, and federal requirements. When needed, this position will also handle complex and high-impact projects. This position operates under the general supervision of the Plan Review Manager.

The successful candidate must be able to embrace the City's emphasis on excellent customer service and collaborate effectively with both colleagues and customers, demonstrating strong communication skills. This role requires someone who can stay focused and organized while managing multiple fast-paced projects or assignments at once. The position involves analytical work and calls for initiative, independent judgment, and a collaborative spirit, along with a genuine interest in working with a variety of City staff and members of the public. The ideal candidate brings a strong work ethic, a commitment to public service, and a flexible, solution-oriented mindset to help customers move their projects forward tactfully and cooperatively. They will also work closely with other City teams and public stakeholders to promote electrification and green technologies by supporting the transition from fossil fuel-based systems to alternatives such as heat pumps, electric vehicles, solar power, and energy storage systems, in support of environmental decarbonization efforts.

Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package that includes affordable healthcare plans, generous retirement packages, paid parental leave, convenient commuter programs and more. Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off). This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Essential Duties: Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide technical information regarding codes and compliance methods to clients, other city staff, and the general public.
• Create plan review checklists, illustrations, procedures, and policies to ensure accuracy and consistency on plan reviews.
• Perform independent plan examinations on building and other disciplines concerning the construction or alteration of industrial, commercial, and residential structures to determine compliance with applicable codes, laws, and regulations.
• Check complex plans and calculations to determine loading and adequacy of design to meet earthquake, wind load, and structural requirements.
• Coordinate plan checking activities with other city personnel, outside agencies, and professional consultants.
• Conduct training programs for Building Division personnel.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of statistics, reports, memos, and correspondence on plan review and permit matters.
• Represent the Building Division at meetings of the City Council, other Boards and Commissions, and at professional and public meetings as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• College graduate with degree in civil engineering or architecture desirable; and
• Experience in structural design, building construction plan review and/or any combination thereof.

Ideal Qualifications and Licenses/Certificates:

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in the design or review of public, commercial, industrial, or residential buildings.
• Professional registration as an Architect, or Engineer in the State of California; AND possess or obtain an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner Certification.
• Other ICC certifications are highly desirable.
• Possession of a California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Pertinent building and related codes and ordinances enforced by the City, specifically Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Energy, and Green Building Codes State regulations and local ordinances.
• Building construction and materials.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of civil and structural engineering design and non-structural building analysis.
• Structural design programs such as RISA, ETABS, RAM, SAP2000.
• Analyze and accurately check building construction plans, energy & structural calculations, and specifications.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, other city staff, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness, fairness, and tact.

Supplemental Information: The Selection Process:

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text.
• Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• More than one position may be filled through this posting.
• The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.