This is administrative engineering work directing, coordinating and approving building, fire, housing, plumbing, and electrical plans and specifications of major structures for the appropriateness of design, code requirement, compatibility of design with intended purpose and accepted engineering and architectural standards. The employee in this class will be responsible for supervising through subordinate supervisors the work of a staff of technical and clerical personnel performing building, fire, housing, plumbing, and electrical plans examinations. Responsibility for interpreting the codes, implementing procedural changes to improve operations, resolving unique and complex cases, and consulting with departmental and consulting architects and engineers in planning reviews are important aspects of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative superior.

• Makes assignment of plans review for the City's building, fire, housing, electrical, plumbing, fire and related codes to ensure that approved plans are consistent with other related building plans and that all plans are processed in an orderly and timely manner; may check completed review to ascertain that review is appropriate and proper; studies factors pertaining to difficult or complex cases and makes determinations based on findings; discusses changes needed with departmental and consulting engineers and architects where problems are not resolved by subordinate engineering and technical personnel.
• Conducts orientation and in-service training programs on the related codes, participates in meetings, seminars and training courses on the various codes.
• Reviews conceptual preliminary designs for a broad range of construction projects with architects, engineers, developers, and contractors regarding building, fire, housing, plumbing, and electrical code requirements; acts as advisor to other city offices, boards and commissions in regard to building, fire, housing, plumbing, and electrical regulations.
• Represents the department at the Board of Building Standards hearings for variances from building code requirements.
• Reviews technical material from various sources pertaining to life safety, fire protection and building construction in general; recommends changes to the Philadelphia Code as it applies to building construction; reviews and comments on legislation proposed by other city or state agencies which would impact on the construction section.
• Extends, revokes and reinstates building permits upon request of the building inspector or permit holder after extensive review of pertinent facts; resolves differences of opinion between plans reviews and field personnel over code issues.
• Maintains records and prepares statistical and narrative reports on the operations of the units.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles and practices of the building and construction trade.
• the principles, practices and techniques of civil engineering.
• the mathematics used in engineering work.
• the building, housing, fire, electrical, plumbing and related code ordinances and regulations as they apply to use and construction of buildings and structures.
• principles and practices of office management.
• the procedures used in reviewing construction plans for conformance to municipal codes, ordinances and regulations.
• the principles and practices utilized by municipal code enforcement agencies to obtain code compliance.
• supervisory methods and practices.
• current national construction related code developments.
• current developments in the building construction field.
• inspectional techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• plan, assign, and supervise the work of examiners of building, plumbing, electrical, housing, and fire plans.
• learn state and local regulations applicable to the construction and alteration of public buildings.
• read and interpret plans, blueprints and sketches.
• apply engineering and administrative knowledge to the resolution of major technical construction problems.
• enforce regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with associates, contractors, engineers, architects, and the general public.

• Completion of bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering.
• Six years of civil engineering experience examining plans for major construction activities or projects to ascertain the conformance of such plans to accepted engineering practices and existing municipal ordinances, one year of which has been supervising a group of subordinate engineers engaged in such work.

Or any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP26
Class Established: 8/1965

Class Re-Established: 3/1985

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