Building Inspector III (Plan Review)
- The City of Sacramento
- Sacramento, CA
- Jan 15, 2026
Job Description
- The City of Sacramento's Community Development Department is seeking a Building Inspector (Plan Reviewer) to work in the Plan Review Section of the Building Division.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate will have comprehensive experience in building construction, building materials and construction methods, and reading building plans. The ideal candidate will also possess customer service and communication skills with the ability to think critically to resolve code-related issues. Make an impact on the community by joining the City of Sacramento’s vibrant and dynamic Building team.
BUILDING INSPECTOR I/ BUILDING INSPECTOR II/ BUILDING INSPECTOR III
DEFINITION
To perform rule specific inspection activities in the review of plans and inspections of new building projects, alterations, and repairs, to enforce a variety of codes, ordinances, and established standards to achieve compliance, and to perform other duties and responsibilities as required. Depending on qualifications, incumbents may be assigned to any one, or any combination of inspection discipline areas as:
Building Specialty Inspection
Plumbing/Mechanical Specialty Inspection
Electrical Specialty Inspection
Roofing Combination Inspection
Residential Combination Inspection
Multi-Family Residential and Light Commercial Combination Inspection
Residential Combination & Structural Plan Review
Non-Structural Building Plan Review
Plumbing/Mechanical Plan Review
Electrical Plan Review
Project Management
Enforcement Case Management
Building Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to building construction.
Plumbing/Mechanical Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to plumbing and mechanical construction.
Electrical Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to electrical construction.
Roofing Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on roofing installations on one and two family residences, multi- family and commercial buildings, including building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspections, incidental to the roofing work.
Residential Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and roofing installations on one, two, and three family residences for conformance with applicable codes and ordinances.
Multi-Family Residential and Light Commercial Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and roofing installations on specific types of building permits for multi-family and commercial buildings qualifying for inspections by Light Commercial Inspectors.
Residential Combination & Structural Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for one, two, and three family dwellings, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances, and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies. Inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction and assists with other inspections, including combination inspections.
Non-Structural Building Plan Review assignments concern the review of the more complex building plans and supporting materials for commercial and multi-family buildings, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies, responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction, and assists with other inspections disciplines as they relate to non-structural building plan review and construction.
Plumbing/Mechanical Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for plumbing and mechanical installations, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction and assists with other inspection disciplines as they relate to plumbing and mechanical plan review installations.
Electrical Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for electrical installations, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction, and assists with other inspection disciplines as they relate to electrical plan review and installations.
Project Management assignments concern the development and administration of contracts for the construction or plan review of facilities, and the inspection of construction to ensure compliance with plans and specifications, and the management and coordination of City or private venture projects. Projects are managed and coordinated from conception through completion. In addition, Project Management assignments assist the project team by coordinating and expediting project approval, plan review, permit issuance, and inspections functions with various departments and agencies.
Enforcement Case Management assignments concern complaint investigations for determination of code deficiencies, not necessarily related to active construction; management of contracts to demolish or repair structures with identified deficiencies, and coordination with various organizations and agencies in managing cases.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Building Inspector class levels are distinguished by the number of inspection disciplines an inspector is recognized to be qualified in based on certification and demonstrable abilities.
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are automatically flexed to the higher level upon completion of required experience and certification as established per the discipline being flexed to. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.
Building Inspector I is the entry-level classification in the building inspection series requiring skill and knowledge in any one inspection discipline as illustrated. Incumbents may be assigned to perform the less difficult or complex work in other disciplines as required.
Building Inspector II is distinguished from Building Inspector I, in that the former requires the performance of complex duties within two inspection disciplines as illustrated. Incumbents may be assigned to perform the less difficult or complex work in other disciplines as required.
Building Inspector III is distinguished from Building Inspector I and II that it requires the incumbent to perform complex duties within three inspection disciplines as illustrated. Incumbents may be assigned to perform the less difficult or complex work in other disciplines as required.
Building Inspector I, II, and III is distinguished from Building Inspector IV, by the latter requiring the incumbent to perform complex duties within four inspection disciplines.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED
Direct and lead supervision is provided by a Supervising Building Inspector or higher-level management personnel. -
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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- Identify and enforce a variety of codes, ordinances, and standards violations for conformance with plans and specifications.
- Inspect work product and materials in building construction projects for conformance with plans and specifications, and inspect potentially substandard or dangerous buildings.
- Work with diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents.
- Read and interpret building construction and engineering plan specifications and codes.
- Prepare and maintain reports.
- Confer with, and assist architects, engineers, contractors, builders, homeowners, tenants and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret requirements and restrictions, keep records and prepare reports as necessary.
- Enter information into the Automated Permit System and the computer for word processing, calendaring, and electronic mail.
- Perform basic plan review, routing and project management activities, issue permits, and fee calculations.
- Identify illegal construction activity and issues violation notices.
- May perform case or project management activities.
- Other duties may be performed, not all duties may be performed by each individual holding this classification. -
QUALIFICATIONS
-
Knowledge of:
- Methods, practices, and materials used in construction work relating to a particular inspection discipline.
- Proper inspection techniques to examine work product and materials.
- Data entry and information retrieval from various computer systems necessary for duties.
- Safety rules, regulations and practices applied to construction areas and office spaces.
- Codes, ordinances, and policies applicable to a particular inspection discipline(s).
Ability to:
- Read and write the English language at a level of proficiency necessary for effective job performance.
- Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine work product and materials.
- Recognize correct installations of building systems; detect defects and faults in construction work product and materials.
- Detect deviations from plans, regulations, and read and interpret building construction and engineering plans, specifications, and codes.
- Understand diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, engineers, architects, contractors, tenants, owners, and the general public.
- Operate a motor vehicle.
- Operate a personal computer and other electronic equipment, including field entry devices and cellular phone.
- Lift, carry, push, tools, equipment, supplies and plans weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Work within confined spaces, climb ladders, work around power and noise producing equipment, work in confined spaces requiring reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, and crouching.
- Work in all weather conditions including wet, hot, cold and windy.
- Access construction areas within construction sites.
Ability to:
- Work on uneven work surfaces, trenches, slopes, roof structures, framing, and other conditions found in a construction environment.
- Serve on-call, work after hours, weekends and holidays, during emergency situations, and as required.
- Anticipate issues and seek resolution through various resources.
- Provide service to all customers with a professional and sincere attitude; be customer service oriented.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
EDUCATION:
Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.
EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience performing building inspection work within one or more inspection disciplines for a municipal or county government agency, or three years of journey level experience in the building construction field as a plumber, electrician, carpenter, roofer, or closely related field, within the discipline(s) applied.
-OR-
EDUCATION:
Completion of 21 units of college level courses in building inspection, construction, or other related areas.
EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience performing a variety of paraprofessional/technical work related to plan checking and inspections.
CERTIFICATION:
Possession of either a Building Inspector or Plans Examiner certification by the I.C.C. or other approved certifying organization.Tracey Huerta
Qualifications
State
On September 28, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1100. This new legislation takes effect on January 1, 2025, and will make it an unlawful employment practice in California for employers to require job applicants to possess a valid driver’s license unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification or a reasonable expectation that the position requires driving and alternative forms of transportation are either inefficient or create an additional cost to the employer.
The City of Sacramento is currently reviewing all classification specifications and positions to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 1100, and ensure our hiring practices align with the new regulatory requirements.
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