Building Inspector/Plans Examiner I, II, or III

  • City of Wilsonville
  • Wilsonville, Oregon
  • Full Time

Position Overview

We are seeking qualified and motivated individuals to join our team as a Building Inspector / Plans Examiner I, II, or III, depending on experience and certifications. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career while making a meaningful contribution to the safety, quality, and growth of a dynamic community.

As a Building Inspector / Plans Examiner, you play a critical role in ensuring that construction projects meet all applicable codes, regulations, and safety standards. You are committed to upholding the integrity of the built environment while also delivering excellent service to our residents, contractors, and developers.

You understand the importance of balancing regulatory requirements with practical solutions and are skilled at navigating challenging conversations with professionalism and diplomacy. Working in a highly visible role, you take pride in delivering consistent, fair, and knowledgeable inspections and plan reviews that support the community's long-term success.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Impact: Contribute directly to the safety and sustainability of a growing city.
  • Professional Growth: Multiple position levels available (I, II, or III), with competitive starting wages based on experience and qualifications.
  • Team Culture: Join a high-performing, service-oriented team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.
  • Supportive Environment: The City is committed to providing the tools, training, and leadership necessary for your professional success.

This is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to build a meaningful career with an organization that values its greatest asset - its people.

Submit your application materials today! Additional information regarding this position, including minimum qualifications and essential job functions, and applications can be found below.

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Under the general supervision of the Building Official, the Building Inspector/Plans Examiner I coordinates the building safety plan review and inspection process, and conducts construction code reviews and inspections, for structural, mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing inspection services for residential construction projects to ensure compliance with State of Oregon Specialty Codes, Administrative Rules, related construction standards and City ordinances.

This position requires multi-certifications and disciplines necessary to handle project approvals from start to finish through the plan review and inspection processes in accordance with the Division's mission and performance objectives.

This position reports directly to the Building Official, and may receive lead direction from higher level classifications.

This is the entry-level class in the Building Inspector/Plans Examiner series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic construction and building inspection experience learn City systems and infrastructure, regulatory laws, codes, and ordinances, a wide variety of practices and procedures, and perform primarily residential inspections. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is distinguished from the Building Inspector/Plans Examiner II in that the latter performs more complex work that requires advanced certifications, knowledge, skills, and experience.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The following tasks are representative and not to be considered all inclusive.

  • Coordinates and assists members of the development review and inspection teams to ensure a timely, predictable, comprehensive and accurate plan review and inspection process for any development proposal.

  • May review and inspect residential and multi-family development proposals to ensure compliance with State and City codes/ordinances, engineering/architectural, and fire/life safety principles.

  • Performs or assists with construction plan review or site inspections:

  • Conducts Pre-Development, Plan Intake, and Pre-Construction meetings.

  • Coordinates the plan reviews and inspections process internally, with customers, and with other departments and agencies.

  • Maintains communication with contractors to anticipate and resolve onsite issues.

  • Performs building safety inspections or plan reviews.

  • Calculates and assesses fees.

  • Monitors permit and project status and follow-up with expired applications and permits.

  • Maintains accurate records and files of construction plan reviews, inspections, and related correspondence. Archives documents as required.

  • Manages phased development and deferred submittal process for assigned projects.

  • Ensures special inspection and structural observation is accomplished where required.

  • Recommends Stop Work Orders when necessary.

  • Issues final approval of construction permits.

  • Meets Division expectations, responds to telephone and personal contacts from contractors, architects, engineers and the public on issues related to codes and standards associated with development proposals in a timely manner.

  • Provides technical interpretations of code issues and requirements.

  • Coordinates teams to investigate and resolve matters of community concern, public health, building safety, and dangerous building situations.

  • Provides training, support, and assistance to cross-trained staff, and participates in cross-training programs.

  • Conducts compliance verifications for appropriate contractor licensing and registration.

  • Conforms with all safety rules and performs work is a safe manner.

  • Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.

Coordinate and perform other projects, functions, and tasks, as assigned.

Customer Service Standards for Employees

These standards are to ensure the organization is focused on providing high quality service to the public and other employees. Employees are expected to meet these standards as part of their job responsibilities.

Communication

  • Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email.
  • Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.
  • Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.
  • Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.
  • Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner. Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.

Respect

  • Be courteous and polite.
  • Treat customers with dignity and respect.
  • Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority. Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
  • Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
  • Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.

Responsiveness

  • Provide prompt and reliable service. Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
  • Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.
  • Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.
  • Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
  • Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.

Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associates degree in Building Inspection Technology, Drafting, Engineering, Fire Prevention or other related field preferred.

Experience: Two years or formal education, training and/or experience in construction management, architecture, structural engineering, building design, construction inspection and/or plan review providing the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Certifications: Incumbent must be certified in accordance with OAR 918-098. Oregon Inspector Certification (OIC) required. In addition, any combination of Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) issued certifications or other BCD recognized certification path that qualifies an incumbent to legally perform the following:

BIPEI

Certifications giving the incumbent the legal ability to perform:

  • Residential Building Plan reviews
  • Residential Building Inspections
  • One additional Residential Inspector certification for either Mechanical or Plumbing inspections.

BIPEII

Certifications giving the incumbent the legal ability to perform work described in sets A, B or C:

A: Inspection focus:

Commercial Inspection (A-Level Building, Mechanical)

Residential Inspection (Building, Mechanical)

Residential Plan Review

B: Plan Review focus:

Commercial Plan Review (A-Level, Mechanical, Fire and Life Safety)

Residential Plan Review

Residential Inspection (Building, Mechanical)

C: Residential Multi-Discipline

Residential Plan Review

Residential Inspection for three: Building, Mechanical and Plumbing

BIPEIII

Certifications giving the incumbent the legal ability to perform work described in sets A, B or C:

A: Inspection/ Plan Review focus:

Commercial Inspection (A-Level Building, Mechanical)

Commercial Plan Review (A-Level, Mechanical, Fire and Safety)

Residential Inspection (Building, Mechanical)

Residential Plan Review

B: Residential Multi-Discipline focus:

Residential Plan Review

Residential Inspection for four: Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical

C: Specialty Discipline- Plumbing

Commercial and Residential Plumbing Inspector

Licenses:Valid driver license

Proof of valid certifications will be required as a condition of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Knowledge of basic principles, practices, methods, materials, and tools used in building construction.
  • Knowledge of accepted safety standards and methods used in building construction for residential buildings.
  • Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of building inspection and construction.
  • Knowledge of mathematical principles including algebra and geometry.
  • Knowledge of record keeping principles and procedures.
  • Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
  • Knowledge of basic computer applications related to work.
  • Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
  • Knowledge of techniques for dealing effectively with the public, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
  • Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
  • Excellent customer service, communication, and public relations skills.
  • Ability to interpret, apply, and explain laws, regulations, codes, and departmental policies governing the construction and inspection of buildings.
  • Ability to apply principles and techniques of building inspection and basic structural design.
  • Ability to review and analyze construction plans, specifications, and maps for conformance with City standards and policies.
  • Ability to detect faulty materials and workmanship and determine the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
  • Ability to coordinate and deal with contractors, engineers, and property owners, as well as investigate code violations and respond to inquiries and complaints in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
  • Ability to read, understand, and interpret construction blueprints, plans, and specifications.
  • Ability to prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, change orders, specifications, and other written materials.
  • Ability to effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with other departments, public and private organizations, and individuals.
  • Ability to maintain accurate and precise records.
  • Ability to make accurate mathematic computations.
  • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
  • Ability to comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communication in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.

Additional Information

Work Environment: Employees work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and mostly in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confined workspaces, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Physical Requirements: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various commercial and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to attend meetings and to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and make inspections; color vision to identify materials, structures, wires, and pipes; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. 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 frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Cognitive Functions: The position incumbent works in a fast-paced environment characterized by frequent deadlines, interruptions, and decision making processes. Work is performed with minimal direction and supervision, resolving issues of moderate difficulty with precedent generally available. Incumbent must be capable of working effectively with coworkers and members of the public. Concentration and focus are required to complete detail oriented tasks.

Tools/Equipment Used: In the performance of job duties, the employee will use the following tools and/or equipment: common hand tools and special trade related instruments, ladder, scaffolding, tape measure, digital camera. In addition, use multi-line phone system; computer and associated software; copy and fax machines; automobile; and other related tools and equipment.

Job ID: 489823126
Originally Posted on: 8/18/2025

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