Plan Reviewer - Commercial Building Construction (Permitting Services Specialist)

WHO WE ARE

Safety, sustainability, and economic development are the hallmarks of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS). The department issues approximately 40,000 building permits a year and conducts thousands of inspections by local code officials. With a staff of about 240 employees, DPS’ five divisions include: Commercial Building Construction; Customer Support and Outreach; Land Development; Residential Construction and Fire Code Compliance; and Zoning and Code Compliance. From its award-winning programs to providing excellent customer service in the office and in the field, DPS’s commitment to its customers is summed up by its tagline: “Your Project Partner.” 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Department is seeking a Senior Permitting Services Specialist (Plan Reviewer – Architectural, Life Safety & Fire Protection) to join the Commercial Building Construction Division. An individual with the technical knowledge, experience, and professional skillset to ensure public safety through the effective application of adopted codes, guidelines, and standards as they relate to commercial building,fire, life safety, and accessibility requirements. 

This position may be underfilled as a Permitting Services Specialist II, Grade 24, or Permitting Services Specialist I, Grade 21. Once the employee meets the minimum requirements of the proficiency advancement process, they are eligible for the non-competitive promotion through the series to the Senior Permitting Services Specialist, Grade 26.

The expected salary ranges for this role on hire are:  

Permitting Services Specialist I, Grade 21: $68,501 - $101,217.   

Permitting Services Specialist II, Grade 24: $77,738 - $118,276.   

Senior Permitting Services Specialist, Grade 26: $84,694 - $134,623. 

This position performs detailed, complex architectural, accessibility, fire, and life safety work that encompasses reviewing construction documents and specifications and ensuring compliance with codes and standards regulating the construction of commercial buildings and structures.

The position will:

• Perform detailed complex architectural and life safety work that encompass reviewing construction documents, specifications and for compliance with adopted codes and standards regulating the construction of commercial buildings and structures.
• Determine complex designs to ensure they meet requirements of established codes and standards.
• Explain technical and procedural requirements to clients, developers, engineers, architects, contractors, the public and other agencies through meetings and discussions conducted in the office or field.
• Enforce the requirements of ICC International Building Code, NFPA Fire and Life Safety Codes, and other State, County and Federal Laws, codes and regulations relating to commercial buildings and structures. 
• Recommend new/changes in standards, codes, regulations, and procedures; prepare analyses, reports, and correspondence on architectural/life safety/technical matters as well as explain departmental positions on a variety of issues.
• Meet with architects, engineers, developers, clients, surveyors, attorneys, contractors, peers, other government agency staff, public, and property owners as a subject matter expert to discuss/resolve code/policy compliance issues and maintain effective working relationships.
• Apply analysis of a variety of unusual conditions in review of development projects from planning through implementation and will affect the proper and safe construction of structures and facilities County-wide.
• Work effectively as a team member and handle multiple projects in a fast-paced atmosphere.
• Other duties as related to the position.

If Filled at the Senior Permitting Services Specialist, Grade 26:

Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience in an engineering/technical field appropriate to building construction. 

If filled at the Permitting Services Specialist II, Grade 24: 

Experience: Three (3) years of professional experience in an engineering/technical field appropriate to building construction.

If filled at the Permitting Services Specialist I, Grade 21: 

Experience: One (1) year of professional experience in an engineering/technical field appropriate to building construction.

All Levels: 

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering or technical field, such as construction management, fire protection, architectural engineering, and architecture.     

Substitution: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Medical: The selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Medical History Review prior to appointment.

All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications.  Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview.   Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade or higher will be placed on the Referred List as a “Transfer” candidate and may be considered for an interview.  

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

• Experience reviewing and interpreting commercial building plans and technical specifications for regulatory compliance,
• Experience in applying building and fire codes and standards or regulations at the local, state, or federal level. 
• Experience in electronic plan reviews.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG)  is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.