Description

APPLY IMMEDIATELY
The first review of applications will take place on January 5, 2026. 
Applications submitted on or after January 6, 2026, may still be considered if an insufficient number of qualified candidates are received.

Join our dynamic team at the City of Pomona as a Senior Plans Examiner! In this key role, you will lead and support staff in reviewing building plans for industrial, commercial, and residential structures, both existing and new construction, to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, laws, standards, and technical specifications related to building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and other systems. You will also assist with building and structural inspections, provide technical and functional direction to lower-level staff, and perform related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled and knowledgeable building safety professional who excels in overseeing complex plan review functions for residential and commercial projects. They demonstrate deep expertise in building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, and accessibility codes, along with a strong understanding of structural design, engineering mathematics, and modern construction methods. This candidate communicates clearly with designers, contractors, and the public, providing accurate code interpretations and high-quality customer service while maintaining positive working relationships. They exercise sound judgment, navigate federal, state, and local regulations with ease, and use modern technology and research tools to support efficient, consistent, and compliant plan review processes. Overall, they bring professionalism, leadership, and technical excellence to ensure safe, code-compliant development within the City.

Why Choose Pomona?

The City of Pomona offers an excellent benefits package that includes a 4/10 work schedule with Fridays off, low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage, and participation in CalPERS, with optional enrollment in a Deferred Compensation Plan and a medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The City also provides competitive salaries supported by a structured salary increase plan; as a Senior Plans Examiner, you can expect a 5% salary increase on October 1, 2026.

Requirements

DEFINITION

Under direction, leads, oversees, reviews, and participates in the work of staff performing building plan review of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings/structures, both existing and new construction, to ensure compliance with provisions of various codes, ordinances, laws, standards and policies related to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, or other technical specifications; assists in inspection of buildings and other structures; provides technical and functional direction over lower level staff; performs related duties as assigned.

 
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Education:

•  Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by college level coursework or specialized training in engineering, construction technology, or a related field. 

Experience:

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience performing administrative or technical support work in the building construction field, including permitting, plan checking, or building inspection.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.  

Possession of valid International Code Council (ICC) Combination in both Residential and Commercial Plans Examiner Certificates, to be maintained throughout employment. Competencies:
To excel in this position, one must possess a set of core competencies. These competencies include, but are not limited to the following: 
Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training to assigned staff.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy, accessibility, housing, and related codes and ordinances enforced by the City. 
• Principles, practices, techniques, and equipment related to building plan review. 
• Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics. 
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. 
• Major types of building construction materials and methods. 
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for residential buildings. 
• Research methods and sources of information and reference materials related to building code enforcement. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards 
• Correctly interpret and apply pertinent federal, state, and local laws, building and other codes, regulations, and standards. 
• Determine if construction design systems conform to City Code requirements. 
• Read, interpret, and understand building and civil engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and other documents. 
• Use a scaled ruler accurately. 
• Perform mathematical computations as related to job duties and functions effectively and efficiently. 
• Maintain recordkeeping and filing systems for ease of access to necessary reports, notices, and other documentation relative to the area of assignment. 
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relative to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. 
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 
   

 
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
 

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Leads, oversees, reviews, and participates in the work of staff performing building plan review of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings/structures, both existing and new construction, to ensure compliance with provisions of various codes, ordinances, laws, standards and policies related to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, or other technical specifications; assumes responsibility for the workflow of an assigned work unit by making work assignments, ensuring that work is consistent with quality standards, and timeline expectations are met.
• Performs the more complex plan review work assignments for the larger development projects which requires extensive code research and the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in establishing code compliance, identifying resources, and completing assignments within established timelines.
• Provides input for personnel decisions such as performance evaluations, promotions, hiring, and disciplinary actions.
• Reviews plans, specifications, and calculations of new construction, additions, and alterations to residential buildings, commercial projects, or commercial tenant improvements; determines compliance with the provisions of the current building codes, ordinances, and regulations. 
• Examines plans and specifications for compliance with the building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other applicable codes, including Green Building Standard Code and Energy Code 
• Provides plan review comments and corrections for residential or commercial plan review projects; routes plans for review with appropriate departments or divisions; tracks and monitors status to ensure timely permit issuance. 
• Reviews applications, plans, and related documents for completeness; communicates with applicants and developers to obtain accurate information or clarification as needed for plan review processing. 
• Computes area of buildings; determines valuation and permit fees.  
• Prepares periodic monthly plan review reports for management.  
• Provides counter support to the public; confer with architects, contractors, builders, and the public; explains and interprets building codes and other requirements and restrictions. 
• Investigates complaints pertaining to violations of building codes and laws; research code related issues for clarification; assists in the code revision and adoption process and the development or revision of relevant policies and procedures. 
• Represents the department in meetings with other departments, outside agencies, contractors, and the public as required; engages in public outreach opportunities. 
• Assists in the development and maintenance of educational materials for the public and staff to increase awareness of construction regulations, safety requirements, and the benefits of code compliance to reduce property loss and ensure safety. 
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.
   

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  
When assigned to the field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and road hazards. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS & SUPERVISION EXERCISED
 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from assigned management or supervisory personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

SELECTION PROCESS
 

Open & Promotional Recruitment

This recruitment is open to external candidates as well as any City of Pomona employee not serving an initial probationary period and any other hourly City employee.

Examination Procedure

Screening of qualifications and "most qualified" is based on the information provided on the official City Application. A resume may be attached to your application, but will not substitute for the completion of your application. Applications that are not entirely completed may be rejected. This recruitment may also establish a list for future vacancies.
 
Supplemental Questions 
To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application. The information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

City employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the City’s needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker (California Government Code Section 3100-3109).