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Job Description
Under general supervision, the Plan Checker performs professional work in checking plans, calculations, specifications, technical reports, and other submittal documents for compliance with state and local building codes, ordinances, regulations and energy standards; receives and checks plans and designs new and remodeled commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance; assists inspectors, contractors, design professionals, and the public regarding construction requirements; performs related work as required.
Examples of typical job functions:
- Checks for compliance with requirements of applicable state and local codes and ordinances relating to architecture, and plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and energy systems.
- Uses digital plan review or other prescribed method to assist in the review of building plans and specifications and permit tracking software during the building permit process.
- Drafts plan review comments relative to code requirements in a matter that is technically sufficient for the professional and fundamentally understandable by the owner or builder.
- Provides expedited plan check services at the customer counter.
- Assists with and participates in the meetings between design professional, owners, builders, and others to explain, clarify and/or discuss comments on the submitted projects.
- Works with other state and county departments to ensure a complete and accurate plan review.
- Identifies project data necessary for permit processing such as project valuations type of construction, use, quantity, building size and provides that information in an easily understandable format to permit processing staff.
- Communicates with field inspectors, permit technicians and other departments to gain additional knowledge on projects that might affect the permit process to coordinate project if needed.
- Prepares plan review reports, comment sheets, and correspondence noting plan deficiencies and building code enforcement issues; maintains records of plan checking activities.
- Refers to a variety of manuals, documents and books including California Building Standards Code and reference documents and ICC Research Reports.
- Responds to public inquiries over the telephone, email or at the counter concerning questions regarding permit processing, building, or other construction-related questions; assists applicants in achieving compliance with various codes and regulations.
- Attends meetings to review and discuss plans, documents, and code requirements; performs field reviews as necessary.
- Conduct plan checks on commercial and residential projects.
- Maintains accurate records, reports, and tracks ongoing activities and outcomes.
Job Description URL:
https://menlopark.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/administrative-services/documents/human-resources/job-classifications/seiu/plan-checker.pdf
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate possesses good knowledge of reviewing plan as applied to the construction of all types of buildings; good knowledge of city ordinances, construction codes and regulations; ability to read and effectively analyze blueprints and plans; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written directions; ability to present material both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with public officials, contractors, owners, and general public; ability to effectively use computer applications software; resourcefulness and reliability.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- An Associate's degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, architecture, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in building plan review, architectural design, and/or engineering technical support work.
- A four-year college or university with a degree in construction technology, civil or structural engineering, architecture or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
Licenses and Certifications
- Possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
- Possession of a Plans Examiner Certificate issued by the International Conference of Building Officials, International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, or National Inspection Testing Certification within twelve (12) months of employment.
Benefits
The City offers an excellent benefit package consisting of:
- Health Insurance: City contribution up to $2,893 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or child care reimbursement
- Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
- Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
- Vacation: 88 - 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
- Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
- Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34 hours of floating holiday time per year; 8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
- Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
- Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
- Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage
- Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
- Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
- A City-paid Caltrain GoPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park.
- A City-paid BayPass. This pilot program offers employees unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card.
- A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
- Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost
For additional benefit information, visit
www.menlopark.gov
and review the City of Menlo Park and SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.
Special Instructions
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to fill out the application completely, including all relevant work experience. Applications with “See Resume” as a substitution for the work experience description and/or unclear past employment information will not be considered.
Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. Not all applications which may meet the minimum requirements will proceed to the next phase of the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.
Tentative Oral/Department Panel Examinations are scheduled for the first week of November 3, 2025.
An Eligible List will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six (6) months. The list may be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years. The hiring department will review the Eligible List to determine which candidates will be invited to the department selection process.
The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at
jobs@menlopark.gov
prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.
Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal conviction history questionnaire, DOJ fingerprinting, and an Occuscreen background check.
Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States. The City will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Closing Date/Time: 10/29/2025 at 10am -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Menlo Park
Show moreMenlo Park is a city of beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods and active commercial districts. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to a little over 32,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west. Menlo Park’s climate is moderate to warm, with an average of 265 sunny days a year.
Menlo Park’s residents reflect a range of backgrounds and interests who tend to be well educated and actively engaged in community life. Excellent public and private schools serve its many young families, while residents of all ages enjoy the City’s numerous parks and recreational facilities. The city’s close proximity to Stanford University and Menlo College provide a multitude of academic, cultural and athletic event opportunities. The arts and leisure activities of the major urban areas of San Francisco and San Jose are close by. These and many other amenities contribute to Menlo Park’s outstanding quality of life.
Located in the heart of Menlo Park is a downtown featuring unique and upscale shops and restaurants. Set in a pleasant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere, Menlo Park’s downtown area attracts locals and visitors alike. Known worldwide as the “Capital of Venture Capital,” Menlo Park is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and markets originating from the Silicon Valley. The city hosts such major employers as SRI International, the U.S. Geological Survey, Facebook, Pacific Biosciences, E*TRADE Financial Corporation and CS Bio Co.City government
Menlo Park was founded November 23, 1927, as a general law city under the State of California and operates under the council-manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney as well as members of a variety of commissions and committees. City departments that report to the City Manager include Administrative Services, the City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Community Services, Library, Police and Public Works.
In addition to its many attributes, Menlo Park has one of the most beautiful civic center campuses in the Bay Area. Lush landscaping including heritage trees, a running fountain and a duck pond surrounds the City Hall / Administration Building. The campus also includes a nine-acre park, recreation facilities and the main Menlo Park library. These civic amenities make the campus a noted destination for City residents, local employees and visitors alike. Conveniently located, the campus is a short walk to the Caltrain station and Menlo Park’s downtown retail district.
The Menlo Park City website is the primary source for information about City services, programs, projects, events, meetings, policies and volunteer opportunities.City Council
The City Council is the City's five-member governing body whose members serve at-large for four-year overlapping terms in general municipal elections. The City Council selects from among its members, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to one-year terms at its first meeting in December of each year. The Mayor, who represents the City of Menlo Park, serves as the presiding officer of the City Council and signs enacting ordinances and contracts. The Menlo Park City Council meetings are generally Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers located at 701 Laurel Street. Menlo Park’s City Councilmembers serve part-time, retaining their positions in private industry, personal enterprise, business or the professions. -