THE POSITION

Come and join the City of Fresno team and work towards achieving our mission of Building a Better Fresno!

The City of Fresno is currently recruiting for a Senior Plans Examiner. Under general supervision, performs combination plan review and structural engineering review of complex single family dwellings, or plan review of architectural, electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical systems, in the field or office, relating to the design and construction of complex private or public commercial and industrial structures; or the review of utility development projects.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Senior Plans Examiner is an advanced working/lead level class in which incumbents perform combination plan review and structural engineering review of complex frame single-family dwellings and commercial interiors and alterations, or architectural, electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical plan review related to fire, life, health, and safety requirements for commercial and industrial buildings; or review of water or sewer systems.
• May inspect projects for conformance and design during construction and at final acceptance; consults with architects, engineers, contractors, and field inspection personnel to determine if proposed solutions are adequate.
• Assists in the preparation of proposed policy statements and code change recommendations.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and makes recommendations on architectural, electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical problems; maintains records of all plans and buildings evaluated, examined, and approved including time and cost records; and may prepare cost estimates and fee calculations.
• Incumbents may also provide lead direction to staff engaged in the plan review process; this may include Plans Examiners and/or Plans and Permit Technicians.

This classification receives supervision from the Supervising Plans Examiner. This class does not exercise supervision.

This vacancy exists in the Planning and Development Department. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period for up to a maximum of two years at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list.

OPTION 1:

Two (2) years of experience equivalent to that gained as a Plans Examiner with the City of Fresno;

OR

OPTION 2:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, engineering technology, construction technology, inspection technology, architectural drafting, or related field; AND Two (2) years of experience in design or construction of commercial and industrial buildings and multi-family dwellings.

OPTION 3:

Three (3) years of experience in construction inspection of new commercial or industrial buildings and multi-family dwellings with the City of Fresno; AND One (1) of the following valid and current certifications listed below:

• ICC certification (formerly ICBO) as a Plans Examiner or Building Inspector for architectural specialty.
• IAEI/ICC certification as an Electrical Inspector for electrical specialty.
• IAPMO/ICC certification as a Plumbing Inspector for plumbing specialty.

If you are qualifying with education, you must upload a copy of your degree and/or transcripts with your application. If you are qualifying with a certification, you must upload a copy of your certification with your application.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire into those assignments must provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record. Possession of a current certificate as a Plans Examiner or Building Inspector by a recognized code publishing organization such as the International Code Council (ICC), within two (2) years of appointment. Recruitments may be limited to a specific area of expertise as required by operational needs. The specific areas of expertise are listed below:

• Architectural
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical

The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The examination process may consist of the following:

• APPLICATION REVIEW - Qualifying Only: Applications submitted will be reviewed and a limited number of the most qualified candidates may be invited to the panel interview. The selection will be based upon those applications and resumes which demonstrate the greatest breadth and depth of applicable education, experience, skills and training. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit sufficiently detailed information in their application materials for a proper evaluation.
• ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A panel of subject matter experts will conduct a job-related oral examination to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of: Architectural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical system requirements for fire, life, health, and safety principles and practices, principles and practices of architectural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical engineering drafting, structural engineering principles related to the design of single family dwellings and commercial interiors and alterations, applicable building codes, regulations, local ordinances, and state laws as related to residential occupancies and commercial and industrial buildings or other topics related to a candidate's training, experience and qualifications for the position. Candidates must achieve a passing score to qualify for the eligible list. The oral examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs. TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline or they will not be accepted for any reason.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.

PAY, BENEFITS, & WORK SCHEDULE BENEFITS:

UNIT 3 Classification - The Fresno City Employees Association, Inc. (FCEA)

• HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.
• VACATION LEAVE: Accrue 8 - 14.66 hours per month based on years of service.
• SICK LEAVE: Eight (8) hours per month, available after 90 days.
• SUPPLEMENTAL SICK: 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum.
• HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.
• SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Provided through California SDI program.
• BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month.
• HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.
• RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security. DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1