PLANS EXAMINER III                    10405

                                                                 (Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

     The work involves responsibility for the application of moderately difficult technical codes, rules and regulations to architectural drawings, blueprints and plans for the purpose of insuring compliance with those codes, rules and plans for the City of Syracuse.  The employee in this class exercises independent action in the application of work under review.  Review is undertaken on multi residential and commercial structure applications that involve a variety of life/safety codes rules and regulations.  Assignments are received in the form of permit requests that involve specifications, plans and blueprints.  The employee then applies all relevant codes, ordinances, rules and regulations to the permit requests under review that would impact upon the structure being built and/or modified insuring compliance, and issues necessary permit.  Supervision may be exercised over lower level Plans Examiners, Trainees and other subordinates.  Incumbents are expected to provide technical advice to Deputy Chiefs, Fire Marshals, Fire Prevention Inspectors, Hazardous Materials Inspectors, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, and other public safety personnel as appropriate, as well as the general public.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

   Provides advanced specialized building plan examination, while also serving as the lead to a team of plan examiners and trainees.

   Recommends the allocation of departmental resources and program modifications to enable the department to meet public safety needs.

   Schedules, trains, evaluates and supervises assigned staff.

   Represents the City in legal proceedings related to fire code enforcement, infractions, citations and fines.

   Reviews residential, commercial, and industrial plans and specifications for compliance with state and local fire prevention codes and ordinances.

   Reviews and evaluates sprinkler systems, fire main installations, detection and alarm systems, smoke control systems, and other fire protection components for code compliance as needed.

   Reviews proposals and recommends modifications, reviews technical literature and proposes new building and life safety procedures.

   Writes comprehensive technical reports, analyzes building and life safety protection issues, and makes recommendations.

   Issues written correspondence outlining code interpretations and deficiencies found in plan review.

   Reviews complex plans, drawings and specifications for compliance with all applicable codes, laws, ordinance rules and regulations including New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, New York State Multiple Residency Law, City of Syracuse Building Codes and Onondaga County Zoning Rules and Regulations.

   Advises concerned parties on necessary changes for compliance and the issuance of permits.

   Meets and discusses complex plans requiring permit issuance, with the Fire Department, other affected city departments and Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency.

   Assists field staff in the resolution of technical problems involving either permit or related violation.

   Attends State Variance Hearings when required.

   Assists in the issuance of routine permits.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS 

     Through knowledge of local laws, rules, regulations and codes applicable to residential and commercial structures.

     Good knowledge of all Federal and State Codes relating to residential and commercial structures, particularly relating to Fire Prevention Code, Uniform Code, and National Fire Protection Association Standards.

     Good knowledge of materials used and practices applied in the alternation and construction of residential and commercial structures inclusive of construction principles and practices applied to this field.

     Good knowledge of methods for energy conservation as addressed in the New York State Energy Code.

   Good knowledge of the principles and practices of modern fire protection engineering concepts, fire inspection standards, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.

   Good knowledge of structural fire protection, fire hazard control, and fire extinguishing detection/alarm systems.

   Good knowledge of materials used and practices applied in the alternation and construction of residential and commercial structures inclusive of construction principles and practices applied to this field.

   Good knowledge of methods for energy conservation as addressed in the New York State Energy Code.

   Good knowledge of the methods and principles of supervision.

     Working knowledge of construction methods, functions and physical properties of buildings and building costs, design, electrical, construction and materials.

   Skilled at reviewing hydraulic calculations necessary to determine the adherence of fire extinguishing system plans to code requirements.

   Ability to train, assign work and review the work of others. 

     Ability to read and interpret site, building, fire protection system and equipment plans, specifications and codes.

   Ability to examine and note deficiencies of plans, calculations, and specifications.

   Ability to express oneself both orally and in writing.

   Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other public officials, general contractors, builders, architects, engineers and the general public.

   Ability to utilize a PC in the maintenance and retrieval of codes related data.

   Ability to travel to various and remote sites to conduct residential and commercial building site inspections.

   Ability to track and manage multiple projects and project deadlines.

   Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

   Ability to analyze and evaluate statistical data.

   Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

   Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor in a confrontational or difficult situation.

   Sound judgement to provide impartial advice in formulating recommendations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:  One (1) year of permanent competitive class status in the title of Plans Examiner II.

Open Competitive:

     A)  Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Baccalaureate Degree in Architecture, Engineering or a closely related field and two (2) years of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in the review of plans and determining code compliance for residential and nonresidential structures; or,; or,

     B)  Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associates Degree in Architectural Technology, Building Construction Technology or a closely related field and four (4) years of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in the review of plans and determining code compliance for residential and nonresidential structures; or,

     C)  Six (6) years of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in the review of plans and determining code compliance for residential and nonresidential structures.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT:  Must hold certification as Code Enforcement Official in accordance with N.Y.C.R.R. -- Title 19.

6/2022 date of original composition