3B86
PAY RANGE: EP25
(Mechanical)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is building plans examination engineering work at the first supervisory level. The employee in the construction specialty directs the work of a staff engaged in examining zoning and building construction and related plans for conformance to established ordinances and engineering principles. The employees in the fire suppression and mechanical specialties direct the activities of a staff engaged in developing and enforcing fire and life safety and mechanical codes, programs and standards. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
· The positions must direct a staff engaged in either the review of building construction plans or enforcement of fire and life safety or mechanical codes.
· All positions must work in the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTY
Receives, reviews and assigns to a staff, building, construction and related plans for examination to ascertain compliance with existing ordinances and sound engineering principles.
Gives advice and assistance to subordinates on difficult or unusual problems; reviews decisions made by subordinates.
Confers with architects, engineers and builders, and other interested parties, on unusual problems and interprets provisions of municipal codes and ordinances.
Supervises the preparation and maintenance of reports and records; supervises other routine clerical functions; reviews and prepares correspondence.
FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIALTY
Analyzes industrial, commercial and public buildings before, during and after construction to evaluate fire resistance of construction, usage and contents of building, smoke removal and ventilation systems, fire prevention and suppression systems and equipment, alarm systems and entrance/exit capabilities; coordinates with other City departments the development and enforcement of fire and life safety protection codes; assists in the development, review and interpretation of fire and life safety codes and enforcement policies; recommends structural designs, materials, and equipment and fire suppression systems to prevent, contain and extinguish fires; supervises and participates in plan review for fire and life safety code compliance; performs field inspections and field tests of installed systems; recommends improvements of fire and life safety protection systems and devices for existing structures.
Directs the activities of a staff of plans examiners; trains inspection staff.
MECHANICAL SPECIALTY
Manages and directs the examination of complex plans for new construction, alteration, and repairs for compliance with the City’s electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes; supervises technical staff, reviews performance and initiates training programs according to demonstrated needs; holds conferences and provides technical advice and assistance to architects, engineers, contractors, plans examiners and field inspectors on mechanical, electrical and plumbing code applications and interpretation; responds to inquiries from plan reviewers, inspectors, architects, engineers and others regarding mechanical/electrical/ plumbing code questions; develops plumbing, electrical, and mechanical construction code training and code enforcement programs.
Reviews and examines complex plans and specifications for compliance with City codes; interprets plumbing, electrical and mechanical plans; solves unusually difficult code interpretation and design problems; performs engineering computations to analyze mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; identifies inadequacies found in mechanical and plumbing construction documents and specifications and requires that corrections be made to meet the requirements of City codes and engineering standards; conducts field inspections at construction sites of large projects at the request of mechanical/electrical/ plumbing inspectors; performs investigations and evaluates tests and other data to determine the suitability of mechanical / electrical / plumbing methods of construction or installation.
ALL SPECIALTIES
Serves as an internal resource for a department by providing expert engineering expertise for other engineers, plans examiners and administrators; convenes and attends meetings with other engineers, consultants, contractors, city officials and utility and regulatory agency representatives to discuss pending and in-progress projects; represents the department at meetings of various regulatory agencies.
Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround time, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Utilizes a computer database and related software programs to prepare reports and review work activities of subordinate staff.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
ALL SPECIALTIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the theories, principles, practices and techniques of engineering as applied to the area of engineering specialization
· management methods and efficiency techniques as they apply to the development, control and production of project work in the area of specialty
· federal, state and local laws, codes, standards and regulations as they relate to the area of specialty
· the engineering theories, principles and practices used in the development, preparation and review of plans, designs, cost estimates, specifications and other contract and engineering documents as they apply to the area of specialization
· research methods and techniques utilized in the area of specialization
· the sources of engineering information and current developments in the field of engineering in the area of specialization
· the procedures and methods used in computerized information management systems for data analysis and report generation in the area of specialization
· the mathematics used in the specified area of engineering work
· the principles of personal computer operations
· interactive data retrieval procedures
· current principles and practices of the building construction trades
FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIALTY
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· design and testing requirements for fire and life safety systems
· current codes and standards for life safety systems
· fire safety inspection and investigation techniques
SKILL IN:
· the operation of a personal computer terminal for data retrieval and report writing.
ABILITY TO:
· make complex engineering computations
· read and interpret construction plans and blueprints
· plans, assign and supervise the work of engineers and/or plans
· express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· prepare and/or review and approve engineering plans, studies, reports and cost estimates
· interpret and apply federal, state and local regulatory codes applicable to engineering projects in the area of specialization
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, architects, building owners and managers, government agency officials and the public
· conducts field inspections at construction sites if required by assignment
· develop construction code training programs if required by assignment
· query and retrieve information through the electronic database to analyze operations and increase efficiency.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/12.)
CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in civil engineering.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of civil engineering experience.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Three years of civil engineering experience at the full performance level examining or developing major construction plans for conformance to acceptable engineering practices and ordinances.
FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in mechanical, electrical or fire protection engineering.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of fire protection or fire suppression engineering experience.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Three years of fire protection or fire suppression engineering experience at the full performance level.
MECHANICAL SPECIALTY
EDUCATION
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in mechanical or electrical engineering.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Two years of mechanical or electrical engineering experience.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Three years of engineering experience in the building construction industry relating to mechanical work and mechanical engineering.
ALL SPECIALTIES
Any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience, which has included the education and specific experience described above.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, in accordance with the PA Uniform Construction Code within 6 months of appointment in the following categories:
CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTY
· Building Inspector
· Building Plans Examiner
· Mechanical Plans Examiner
· Energy Plans Examiner
· Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
FIRE SPECIALTY
· Building Inspector
· Building Plans Examiner
MECHANICAL SPECIALTY
ALL SPECIALTIES
Completion of course work or continuing education credits necessary to maintain certification during tenure of employment as Building Plans Examination Engineer 2.
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to and during tenure of employment in this class, if required by work assignment.
Class Established: CSC - 8/65
Spec. Revision: CSC - 9/70; CSC - 11/99 - Ad. Board - 12/99;
CSC -10 /08 - Ad. Board -11/08
Latest Spec. Revision: CSC - 6/12; Ad. Board -7/12
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