3B86
BUILDING PLANS EXAMINATION ENGINEER II

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 employee in the fire suppression specialty directs the activities of a staff engaged in developing and enforcing fire and life safety 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 codes.
• One position will be authorized for each specialty.
• Both positions must work in the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

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.
• 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.

• Performs related work as required.

BOTH 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.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTY
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• current principles and practices of the building construction trades.
• the principles and practices of civil engineering.

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.

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.

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.

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Or 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

• 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.

PAY RANGE: EP25
Class Established:
CSC:8/65

Spec. Revision:
CSC: 9/70

Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 11/99, Ad Board: 12/99

SK/sb