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

Company Description

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.
• Annual Compensation Range: $190,034 - $230,906
• Recruitment ID: PBT-5214-164533

What We Do:

The Department of Building (DBI) oversees the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of City building, housing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and disability access codes for San Francisco’s more than 200,000 buildings. The position will be in the following division/unit: Technical Services Division (TSD).

Job Description

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.
• Oversee implementation or modification of department programs such as the Soft-Story program, Building Façade Inspection program, and Building Occupancy Resumption Program and the Concrete and RWFD Screening program.
• Oversee DBI Addressing personnel (part of TSD Team).  Attend monthly standing Addressing Working Group meetings to stay abreast of complex addressing issues and continue ongoing inter-departmental problem solving.
• Propose and author building code and legislative language, including departmental information bulletin updates.
• Presentation development and Public speaking at intra- and inter-departmental meetings, community events, Code Advisory Committee, Building Inspection Commission, and the Board of Supervisors meetings. Perform public outreach on department programs and code requirements.
• Develop administrative and technical requirements for structural and life safety retrofit programs.
• Facilitate code interpretation meetings and lead updates to department information sheets for internal and external customers.
• Support Plan Review Services through training, interagency coordination, and process improvements.
• Oversee special projects like the adaptive re-use manual and t