Building Plans Engineer (5214) – Department of Building Inspection – 164533

Job Related and Essential Qualifications:

Knowledge of: principles and practices of architectural design and civil engineering as applied to the alteration and construction of buildings and structures; modern engineering building methods; strength and uses of building construction materials; architectural safety; engineering features of building construction problems and applications of architectural and engineering techniques to practical building design and construction problems.

Ability to: plan, prioritize, assign, coordinate, direct, train and evaluate the activities of subordinate personnel engaged in plan checking activities, including the design and preparation of building construction plans with the review of such plans for conformance with applicable laws; direct subordinates' performance to maximize and maintain a positive and productive workflow; structure the work environment; delegate work assignments; interact tactfully and courteously with engineers, architects, plan checkers, contractors, building owners; speak in a clear, concise, organized, relevant and understandable manner; write effectively.

Skill to: apply structural engineering techniques to practical building construction problems.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Six (6) years of verifiable professional experience as an engineer or architect, including at least two (2) years of which are equivalent to a 5241 Civil Engineer or Class 5268 Architect with the City and County of San Francisco and including a minimum of two (2) years building construction experience in the areas of construction, design, inspection or plan checking; AND

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at

https://careers.sf.gov/

.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

The Technical Services Division Manager oversees a team of engineers, building inspectors, and permit technicians and is responsible for coordination and management of department and inter-departmental special programs. The TSD Manager oversees the authoring and maintenance of information sheets and administrative bulletins, provides public assistance on code interpretation and permitting. The Technical Services Division Manager works collaboratively with the Permit Services, Plan Review Services and Specialty Review Managers to engage in staff educational development, code development and adoption, public outreach, and streamlining department workflows. This position requires departmental representation for program development and in Code Advisory Committee and Building Inspection Commission meetings. The TSD Manager will have a strong customer service focus and will be able to take decisive action as a manager utilizing critical thinking skills.

Definition: Under general administrative direction, manages the activities of the professional plan check personnel engaged in the review of the building construction and modification plans. The Building Plans Engineer directs, supervises and monitors the work of plan checkers and engineers who are involved with the review of plans, specifications and calculations prepared by architects, engineers and contractors and others in order to assure fire safety, energy conservation, disabled access and mechanical design (HVAC, smoke control) in conformance with applicable city, state and federal codes. The incumbent is also responsible for interpreting building code requirements; reviewing applications for materials substitutions; making field inspections, advising inspection personnel on acceptable engineering/construction practices, structural details, uses of materials and related building construction problems; and performing related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features: The Building Plans Engineer functions at the advanced - journey -level. Incumbents in this job code confer with engineers, architects and applicants on building code requirements and review and report on applications for complex alterations and new construction for permits for buildings and structures.

Supervision Exercised: Job code 5214 may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over plan check personnel and engineers.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties: According to Civil Service Commission Rule 9, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code and are not intended to be an inclusive list:

Manage and coordinate staffing for public information counters and TechQ customer service emails.

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

Application Opening: March 13, 2026.

Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than

March 27, 2026

.