Manteca City Council
September 21, 2026

City of Manteca

PLANS EXAMINER
Class Spec Code ### Established Date 07/01/2002
Occupational Group Technical and
Support Services
Association (TSS)
Revision Date
FLSA
September 2026
Non-Exempt

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, reviews building plans for compliance with applicable codes and regulations; issues, processes, and approves building permits; explains building codes, ordinances, and policies to contractors, engineers, and the general public; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing routine building plan examination duties in support of the Development Services Department.

Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Plans Examiner in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series, such as technical review and inspection or more complex building plans or projects and/or provides technical and functional direction over lower-level staff.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
Essential Duties:

Management may amend duties pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.  Reviews and examines construction plans and other construction documents for residential, commercial, industrial, and other projects for new construction and alterations; ensures plans and necessary calculations comply with building regulations and codes.
 Assists building permit applicants in completing applications; assists other departments and the public with researching and finding requested construction documents; researches and answers questions at front counter and via phone and email.

ATTACHMENT 7
Plans Examiner

 Reviews corrected plans for compliance with requirements; calculates fees and submits documentation of plan check compliance; confers with engineers, contractors, owners, and the general public on proposed projects to resolve problems.  Provides technical assistance to the general public, building inspectors, and other departments to maintain consistent application of code provisions and advises on work assignments and challenges.
 Interprets and applies building codes and regulations; explains inspection procedures and programs and advises builders, property owners, and other departments on the building permit process.
 Performs field inspections for various types of construction ensuring proper installation of materials and equipment and identifies unsafe conditions; prepares technical reports and makes recommendations for solutions.
 Determines plan examination, permit, and other fees and valuation on plans submitted.
 Develops informational handouts and checklists related to plan check requirements for public distribution.
 Maintains plan check, permit, inspection, and other related records; analyzes statistics and prepares various reports.
 Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
 Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
 Permit, building inspection, and code enforcement programs, procedures, and requirements.
 Research, data collection, and reporting techniques, methods, and procedures.  Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.  Business correspondence writing and the standard format for reports, correspondence, and related documents.
 Principles and procedures of record-keeping.
 Business arithmetic.
 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 programs, projects, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Plans Examiner

Ability to:
 Explain permits, building inspection, and code enforcement programs, procedures, and requirements; identify and respond to issues and concerns.  Research, summarize, and present information and data in an effective manner.  Process permit applications, plans, reports, forms, and other documents.  Review and understand plans and related documents.
 Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls and other requests for information and/or service.
 Make accurate mathematical computations.
 Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
 Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
 Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
 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.
 Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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:

Education:
 Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:
 Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience reviewing building plans, or related experience.

Licenses and Certifications:
 Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.

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 Plans Examiner

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 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, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS
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).