Plans Examiner (Plan Reviewer) at City of Fort Collins

POSITION TITLE: Plans Examiner (Plan Reviewer) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #: req8487

DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development Svcs

LOCATION: 281 OFFICE BLDG

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $59,663.00 - 89,495.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $65,000.00 - 80,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is

3:00 p.m. MT on 7/7/2026 . At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Plans Examiner (Plan Reviewer) to join Building Services. This is a full-time position with the City, with an anticipated hiring range of $65,000-$80,000. The Plans Examiner will review residential, multi-family, and commercial building construction plans to ensure adherence to building codes and other local regulations. The examiner's role will involve examining plans to verify compliance with building, architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and energy codes. Collaborating closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and home owners, to provide guidance and recommends adjustments to submitted plans. We are looking for someone with analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of building codes.

The ideal candidate will have experience as a building code plans examiner or; experience in architecture, engineering, construction, or interior design fields, including or supplemented by two (2) years of experience in the development of construction plans, building design or review of plans and/or blueprints, or equivalent combination of education or experience. This is a hybrid role that will involve an equal split between office-based and remote work.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Reviews building construction plans for compliance with building codes and city regulations.
• Responds to customer with issues of noncompliance on plans and suggests corrections to bring plans into compliance.
• Conducts minor structural review.
• Approves and/or denies submitted plans after review.
• Provides building code information to individuals planning building construction and answers customer calls and questions about adopted codes.
• Works with other internal and external departments to review and approve plans.
• Keeps records and prepares correspondence pertaining to plan review.
• Helps to create, revise, and maintain handouts for customers regarding code requirements, permit procedures, and policies.
• Trains contractors and building owners in complying with various building codes and local code amendments.

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Ability to review plans and verify they meet various adopted codes and standards.
• Ability to read and understand construction plans and documents.
• Basic knowledge of structural engineering principles and ability to perform minor structural review.
• Knowledge of federal, state and City codes and trade organization guidelines.
• Knowledge of mechanical, plumbing, energy, and electrical codes.
• Knowledge of architectural, general carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical principles.
• Ability to use permit database software (Accela), spreadsheet and word processing software, and Adobe Pro for plan review.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Preferred

College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, or related field from an accredited college or university is a preferred qualification

Experience Requirements

• Five years of experience reviewing construction plans to verify code compliance or experience in architecture, engineering or construction fields which must have included the development of construction plans, building design or review of plans and/or blueprints - or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• ICC Residential Plans Examiner certification (R3) or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• ICC Building Plans Examiner certification (B3) or ability to obtain within 24 months of hire.

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Plans Examiner

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.