The Position

The City of Lake Oswego announces an excellent career growth opportunity within the Building Division. Under the direction of the Building Official, the Plans Examiner II will perform in-depth building plan reviews of all construction plans submitted for the development, modification and alteration of single family dwellings, multi-family units, and commercial and industrial buildings and complexes. This position is represented by the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees Association (LOMEA)/ American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Plans Examiner I Annual pay range: $67,519 - $86,904
Plans Examiner II Annual pay range: $74,612 - $95,205

Anticipated Cost of Living Adjustment increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023 - details below

Key Responsibilities

• Reviews all residential, commercial (fire & life safety) building and mechanical construction plans, documents, engineering calculations and technical specifications.
• Responds to citizen inquiries, code questions, and requests for information; sound judgment to make recommendations for options to complex design questions.
• Researches code context and evaluates data or analyzes viable alternative methods for code interpretations in compliance with state building codes.
• Strong knowledge and application of structural engineering practices and methods.
• Coordinates permitting and development processes within planning and building divisions; makes proactive recommendations for improved and efficient processes.
• Meets with architects/engineers, contractors and members of the public and other departments to review preliminary residential building and construction plans, checking for general compliance with codes and related requirements.
• Performs field inspections and acts as back-up for inspectors, verifying compliance with appropriate plans and codes. Issues notices of noncompliance when appropriate. Issues a Certificate of Occupancy when appropriate.
• Researches, reviews and approves requests for the use of alternate materials and processes relating to commercial building construction.
• Knowledge of land development requirements for site improvements and guides staff and customers on required permits for our large scale commercial developments. Maintain close collaboration and working relationships with the City’s Fire Department.
• May perform the duties of the Building Official during extended absences and with proper certification and experience.

Education and Experience Requirements

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation with a High School diploma or G.E.D and extensive experience in construction, installation or inspection; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Candidates must have strong knowledge of building construction plans, documents, calculations and technical specifications related to residential and commercial construction.
Licensing and Other Requirements: Positions in this classification require the ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and ability to meet the City’s driving standards.

The following certifications are required:

Plans Examiner I

• 
  Oregon Inspector Certification (OIC)
• State of Oregon CAS/CAX Residential Structural Inspector/Plans Examiner or Residential Building Inspector Certificate issued by ICC
• Residential Mechanical Inspector Certificate issued by ICC

Plans Examiner II

• Oregon Inspector Certification (OIC)
• State of Oregon CAS/CAX
• Residential Mechanical Inspector Certificate issued by ICC or Oregon certification
• Building (commercial) Plans Examiner issued by ICC or Oregon certification
• Commercial Building Inspector issued by ICC or Oregon certification
• Fire Plans Examiner issued by ICC or Oregon certification
• Commercial Mechanical Inspector issued by ICC or Oregon certification

• Additional State of Oregon residential plumbing (CAP) or residential electrical (CAE) certifications are desirable. Duties will occasionally involve working in adverse or inclement weather conditions; exposure to high noise levels; dealing with distraught or difficult individuals; attending meetings or activities outside normal working hours; occasional response to emergency conditions during off-hours; operation of a motor vehicle on public roads.

Supplemental Information

Compensation:

Anticipated Cost of Living Adjustment increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023


Application Process: You may visit our web site at www.ci.oswego.or.us to access the online application process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. This position is open until filled with first review on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

The following material is a brief summary of each benefit and does not replace or supersede any provisions of the insurance contracts.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

You may choose between a traditional indemnity plan or a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. Coverage includes you and your dependents. Each plan includes a vision and prescription drug benefit.

Under the indemnity plan, Aetna Medical, once the participating provider out-of-pocket limit has been met, this plan will pay 100% of covered charges for participating and network not available providers. If you select Aetna Medical, your vision benefit will be provided by VSP Well Vision.

The HMO plan, Kaiser Permanente, guarantees delivery of necessary health services, which is provided exclusively by their own providers.

DENTAL INSURANCE

The City provides a choice of comprehensive coverage through Moda Health (Delta Dental) and Kaiser Permanente. With your choice, you will have access to a plan that includes preventive, routine and major dental care, as well as orthodontic benefits (for child dependents only).

LIFE INSURANCE

The City pays for your basic life insurance in the amount of $50,000, and accidental death and dismemberment in the amount of $50,000. You can choose to purchase supplemental life insurance for you and/or your spouse in increments of $10,000. You may also purchase life insurance in the amount of $2,000 for each eligible dependent at minimal cost. (Standard Life Insurance Company).

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

The City provides you with a long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan which guarantees that you will receive 60% of your salary, up to $4,000, following a 90-day waiting period. (Standard Life Insurance Company).

WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE

You are provided workers' compensation insurance in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (PERS)

The City of Lake Oswego is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Benefits paid by PERS are funded from two sources:

• member contributions* paid on your behalf by the City; and
• employer contributions*.

(*Contributions are made six months after employment unless you are currently a member of PERS).

You become vested with PERS when contributions have been made in each of five calendar years.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

You and your family can receive up to six (6) free confidential counseling sessions per incident per year, as well as other benefits, such as free legal consultation and first time home owner assistance. EAP coverage is provided by uprisehealth.

VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ACCOUNT (VEBA)

The City has established a Voluntary Employee Benefits Account (VEBA) to be used for medical expenses pre and post retirement. The City will contribute a dollar amount into your account as specified with the terms of the LOMEA collective bargaining agreement as authorized by IRS Code 501(c)(9). Additional information available in Human Resources.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS

Deferred Compensation – The City offers a deferred compensation plan through MissionSquare Retirement. Your participation in this plan is voluntary, and you will need to make the contributions to the plan(s).

Flexible Spending Account – The City offers a Flexible Spending Account Program after your have been employed with the City for six months. FSA’s allow eligible employees to pay for non-covered health related expenses and child care expenses with tax-free income. In addition, you may use the FSA Premium Only Account to help cover the cost of your portion of the City’s medical and dental insurance premiums. You do not need to wait six months to participate in the premium only portion.

HOLIDAYS

The City of Lake Oswego recognizes the following paid holidays during the calendar year.

1. Four hours New Years Eve*
2 New Year's Day
3. Martin Luther King's Birthday
4. President’s Day
5. Independence Day
6. Labor Day
7. Memorial Day
8. Veteran's Day
9. Thanksgiving Day
10. The Friday Following Thanksgiving Day
11. Four Hours Christmas Eve*
12. Christmas Day
13. Personal Holiday
14. Juneteenth

• When Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve falls on Monday through Friday. Employees who are scheduled to work during the ½ day holiday shall be credited with four (4) hours of Holiday Pay.

VACATION

Paid vacation time accrues on a yearly basis as follows:

0-3 years: 12 days (8 hrs per month)
4-9 years 16.5 days (11 hrs per month)
10-15 years 21.5 days (14.33 hrs per month)
16-19 years 23.5 days (15.66 hrs per month)
20+ 25 days (16.67 hrs per month)

Vacation may be accrued to a maximum of two years with the approval of your supervisor.

SICK LEAVE

Sick leave accrues on a monthly basis at a rate of eight hours per each month worked. Sick leave may be used when you are unable to work due to illness or injury, or to attend a member of the immediate family when they are sick or injured. (Immediate family is defined as spouse, children, mother, father, sister, brother, or other relative residing in your household. Sick leave may be accumulated to 135 days. Anything over 135 days will be transferred to employees VEBA account.