Examples of Duties
- Performs plan reviews on construction plans, engineering calculations and specifications for new buildings, building additions, and building alterations for commercial and multi-family buildings to verify compliance with the California Building Code/Plumbing Code/Mechanical Code/Electrical Code, California Residential Code, California Energy Conservation Code, accessibility codes, adopted historic building regulations, FEMA floodplain codes and ordinances as adopted by Merced County.
- Creates written reports outlining design deficiencies to design professionals.
- Creates and modifies electronic permits to describe scope of projects.
- Prepares plans and documentation for issuance of permits.
- Resolves conflicts and communicates options for code compliance. Schedules and conducts meetings to answer questions and facilitate service.
- Conducts plan intake meetings with applicants for projects of varying complexity and economic impact to verify completeness of permit applications and construction documents to accept projects into the review system for plan check by the Building Division section and other departments and divisions.
- Analyzes project complexity to determine appropriate plan review track.
- Attends and participates in multi-department project application review meetings.
- Communicates code requirements, design issues, and permit processes to applicants.
- Monitors project review progress and coordinates with various internal department staff and outside agencies to facilitate building or fire permit issuance.
- Reviews and assists applicants to prepare acceptable alternate code requests or modifications to adopted building codes.
- Frequently proposes, researches, drafts, and comments on building division interpretations and policies related to residential and commercial construction.
- Reviews and evaluates current policies, recommends updates or determines if policies can be retired.
- Works with building inspection staff, contractors and design professionals after the permit has been issued to resolve code issues encountered during construction.
- Reviews plan changes and modifications for projects under construction.
- Performs site visits as necessary to resolve issues or verify construction elements of existing conditions.
- Acts in a lead capacity for Building Inspectors I/II and office staff, providing training and assigning work.
- Attends Association meetings, trainings and conferences, as needed.
- Work with other County Departments to advance the needs of the Department and the County.
- Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office.
- Performs detailed plan checks of blueprints, diagrams and specifications involving construction projects of all types to ascertain conformance with applicable codes.
- Perform fire alarm and fire sprinkler inspections and plan review.
- Life-safety plan review and inspections.
- Reviews high hazard occupancies.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Six (6) years of full-time, paid work experience in fire code, fire prevention, plan review, plan inspection, as a licensed contractor, or in one of the following trades: electrical, plumbing, carpentry or related structural/mechanical work such as steam fitting, heating, and/or air conditioning. Two years must have been performing inspection work.
Completion of 60 semester college units including courses in engineering, architecture, construction technology building inspection, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
License: Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.
Certification: Certification* as a Residential and Commercial Building Inspector and two of the following:
- Residential and Commercial Electrical Inspector
- Residential and Commercial Mechanical Inspector
- Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector
OR Certification* as a Fire Inspector II and two of the following:
- Commercial Fire Sprinkler Inspector and Commercial Fire sprinkler Plans Examiner
- Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner I and II
- Residential Fire Sprinkler Inspector/Plans Examiner and Commercial Fire Alarm Inspector.
Special RequirementPlans Examiner certification* for building and fire required within 12 months of hire date.
*Certification as administered by International Code Council (ICC) or other recognized state, national, or international association acceptable to the jurisdiction.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Sit for periods of time while driving a vehicle or working at a desk.
- Frequently stand and walk.
- Have manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination needed to use a variety of office equipment.
- Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing, and over the telephone.
- Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
- Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
- Respond appropriately to situations.
- Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
- Lift and move with help objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Conduct activities on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
- Climb ladders or scaffolding to inspect construction on exterior of buildings, unfinished basements, roofs or other areas under construction.
- Climb into and out of ditches and swimming pools under construction; visually trace colored electrical wiring.
- Document compliance with FEMA regulations on individual projects.
- Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge of: - Practices, tools, equipment, and materials used in the general construction trades.
- Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
- California Codes, National Electrical Codes, fire codes and pertinent Federal, State and County regulations pertaining to new construction, alterations, repairs and/or demolition of structures.
- Construction documents including plans, specifications and calculations and methods to interpret and check for compliance with regulations.
- Basic principles of engineering, architectural design and engineering mathematics.
- Qualities of various construction materials.
- Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting zoning and housing.
- Inspection methods and techniques.
Ability to: - Perform building inspections, enforce regulations, examine workmanship, materials and detect deviations from laws, regulations and standard construction practices.
- Check construction documents for a proposed project for compliance with governing codes, regulations, fire codes and Local Building Ordinances.
- Read, interpret, and explain building plans, specifications and building codes.
- Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
- Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
- Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
- Promote and enforce safe work practices.
- Prepare reports and maintain records.
- Read and write at the level required for successful job performance.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Recognize problems and make effective recommendations for their correction.
- Observe and record findings during investigations.
- Make independent, sound decisions.
- Enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
- Oversee daily operation of project tracking system.
HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION
10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). SICK LEAVE
.0462 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 12 days (96 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria. HOLIDAYS
Twelve paid holidays annually plus one optional holiday. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Three (3) regularly scheduled work days or five (5) days if distance traveled over 500 miles one-way. INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers five Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units. - Anthem 200 EPO
- Anthem 500 EPO
- Anthem 1500 EPO
- Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)
Dental Insurance -Delta Dental - Calendar Year Maximums
- County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)
Vision Insurance - VSP - County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)
DISABILITY INSURANCE
State Disability Insurance - Benefit based on highest quarter during previous calendar year. Employee pays premium. LIFE INSURANCE
$10,000 County-paid coverage (Accidental Death and Dismemberment included). Voluntary Term Life and Universal Life Insurance available - premium paid by employee. RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable. MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security.The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; yourpension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS. EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) Anthem EAP services provides up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services. EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS
The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.
THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682.Closing Date/Time: Continuous
