HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.C 04/01/2013 Ag-end w Itenw #4.C
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DATE: April 1, 2013
TO: Honorable.Mayor and Members 'of the City Council
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FROM: John C. Brown, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending,the Cl'assification;and,Compensation Plan by Establishing
the New Classification and Pay Range of Plans Examiner and Authorizing the
Position Allocation,of Plans Examiner.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City. Council adopt the attached Resolution Amending the
Classification and Compensation,:Plan by Establishing the New Classification and Pay Range of
Plans Examiner and Authorizing the Position Allocation of Plans:Examiner.
BACKGROUND
The City wishes to re-establish the position,of Plans Examiner: The classification-of Plans
Examiner existed on or before March 1990 and was abolished:by Resolution No 2006-096 on
June 5, 2006. The classification of Plans Examiner was last.occupied in 2001.
DISCUSSION
The overall workload in the Buil'dingServices Division both_in.tbe,office and in the field has
significantly increased over the course of the last couple of years Currently, the Chief Building
Official.(CBO), in addition to his other duties, is performing simple plans examiner work. The
more,complex plans examiner work,is:•sent-,outito an outside contractor,CQA. It is
recommended'that the City hirela Plans:Examiner-to perform the,plans examiner work currently
being.perforrrted-by,the CBO.. In addition, the.new.Plans Examiner would perform some work
currently provided by CQA. CQA would continue to perform the highly complex plans examiner
work•and'assist'in processing work as circumstances and workloads dictate.
Having a full-time Plans Examiner will assist the Building Service Division by enabling the
• CBO to perform.other duties, increasing staffing at the Building Services counter, providing
code expertise for the more complex questions, and increasing staffing to assist with non-field
relatedBuilding Services Division.duties. Additionally, it will help,.relieve staffing shortages
caused byabsences,such.as°vacations and illness.
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Agenda.Review:
City Attorne _ Finance Director I City.Manage
Plan examination services are charged directly'to the applicants-who receive such services as a
separate charge attached to the Building Permit Fees. Building Services Division income from
said fees has increased as the overall workload at the.Building:Services Division has increased.
The Plans Examiner will perform,some work!currently being performed by CQA, which will
reduce this yearly expenditure. This,.expected reduction will partially pay for the position. the
Plans Examiner will also be expected to provide periodic;coverage for building inspection and
assist building inspectors as needed. The Building Services Division income projections and
actual income from the last couple of years show that the restof the.cost of this position can be
fully supported from Building revenues.
A review of similar classification and classification salary relationships was conducted where
such positions exist (City of Santa Rosa, Rohne t Park,SanR afael,,Napa, Vacaville and Sonoma
County). Thereafter, a review of similar classifications and classification salary relationships
was conducted within the City's existing internal pay structure. In'setting a salary range, we
sought to place the classification within the existing internahpay structure at a level consistent
with classifications of similar complexity and responsibility and;also compete with the external
market. The classification of Senior Building Inspector with aisalary range of$74,918 to
$91,084 was determined to be comparable and Will also,enable the,City to compete with the
external market. For these-reasons,your approval of the recommended pay range is respectfully
requested.- Once the classification is approved and the position allocated, staff will proceed with
recruitment.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Calculated,at the third.step which is mid-rage of the salary range,.;the'total annual compensation
for this position including salary and benefits is approximately $121221 and is supported by
Building.Services Division revenues derived from permit fees paid by applicants.
The Building Services Division's income has increased from $730,00 in FY 10/11 to$1,100,000
in FY 11/12. As of mid Marchsof the-current FY (12/13) income is at $1,100,000. Income for
the next few years is projected to stay within 5% of the current FY (12/13) income.
With;the.Council's,authorization,of this:position, staff will initiate recruitment and it is
anticipated that the position will be filled by mid to late May 2013. The approximate six week
cost of the'positionrat third step.through June 30, 2013jor salary and benefits, is$13,987.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution and Exhibit A
Resolution No. 201E'3-XNX N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, 'California
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION
PLAN BY ESTABLISHING THE NEW CLASSIFICATION AND
PAY RANGE•OF PLANS EXAMINER AND
AUTHORIZING THE POSITION ALLOCATIONOF PLANS EXAMINER
WHEREAS, the City wishes to keep c Urrentits Classification and Compensation
Plan; and amendments:anWor revisions,to the Classification and Compensation Plan are
effective upon approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager/ Personnel Officer:has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of Plans
Examiner(as attached hereto'and marked Exhibit A); and,
WHEREAS, the pay range,forthe classification.of Plans Examiner as listed
below, is hereby recommended, effective with the adoption of this Resolution.
iClassitScatr n Title,{ ,PayiRange Per',Month u' i
4 . r -' ,- *5.,,m. �'.,.'*' ' D47L _:. - ° ...aka . _" . + a
Plans Examiner `$6,243.23-$6,555.47-$6,884.80:$7,227.87-$7,590.34
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOILVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma:
1. Approves the amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan as
written in this Resolution including the amendment in the Competitive
Service'of the Personnel,System.
2. Takes'this action pursuant to Personnel Code 3.04.020 and Personnel
Rules.and Regulations (Rule IV: and Rule V —
Compensation) and, that the notice of this action has been properly posted..
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3. Authorizes thepo`sition allocation of Plans Examiner effective with the
adoption of this Resolution.
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4 \ CITY OF PETALUMA■
R yC$ , \� CLASS,SPECIFICATION
Date: 04/01/13
-j a 5:$ Job Class:
Plans Examiner
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Summary I
Perform highly skilled technical review and examination of residential, commercial and industrial
plans and specifications for compliance with applicable building codes, ordinances and
regulations. .1
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Class Characteristics
Supervision is provided by the Chief Building Official. Responsibilities may include the indirect
supervision of'support staff 1
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This is an advanced journey level class, fully competent to perform responsible and difficult
building and plan examinations concerning;. the construction or alteration of residential,
commercial, and industrial structures including`;calculations,,Energy Compliance forms, CalGreen
compliance documents,'and accessibility requirements. Incumbent('s)`exercise independent judgment
and make sound recommendation's based on building planekarriination results.
EssentialDuties, Skills, and,Demand's of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands;described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully pet forth the;essential functions of this job.. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and
demands.
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Duties: I
Review and examine residential, commercial, and industrial plans and specifications for
compliance with building 'codes, ordinances, regulations, and other 'related laws; approve plans
or provide corrections.
Provide advice on conformance with building codes, ordinances and regulations;.assist in resolving
issues and recommend solutions tosplan review problems.
Consult with contractors, engineers? owners, and architects on code requirements and building
design.
Respond to inquiries from the public, applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers
related to building codes and regulations and provide advice as appropriate.
Assist,in coordinating building permit application`s with internal department and City staff.
Assist in developing and revising operational procedures and systems'for`plan checking.
Perform field inspections; building inspections;and+assist building;inspectors:as needed:
Issue building permits:
Enter and retrieve.data from electronic data processing systems; establish and update information,
update computer system files prepare correspondence and reports; prepare, review, and maintain
forms; files and other necessary:records.
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Plans Examiner
Attend and present information at public meetings.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Skills/Abilities:
Read and interpret blueprints and building plans and specifications.
Examine building plans, elementary calculations and specifications in a uniform and accurate
manner.
Interpret, apply and explain related"codes and regulations.
Understand and check engineering,mathematical computations..
Exercise independent judgment related to plan check and specification issues.
Prepare clear, concise and accurate<reports, correspondence and other-written materials.
Maintain organized and accurate-records.of plan checkinggand.other related,documentation.
Utilize electronic information systems'within the department.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted.
Physical Demands and Work,Environment:
While performing the duties of'this job,the employee is regularly required to sitand stand, use the
computer keyboard and mouse, use hands to finger, handle, or feel,reach with hands and arms, talk
or hear, stand, walk, and stoop, or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific
vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral
vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires the ability to work in an office
environment where the noise level is usually moderate-and the ability to work outside in all weather
conditions for extended periods..of-time. The ability to walk- across uneven muddy terrain and to
climb ladders, stairs, steep ramps;and scaffolding:
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Advanced plan check methods and practices.
Building codes including the California building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, housing and
energy codes.
Local, state and federal "regulations, ordinances, and other requirements related to building,
construction and design standards.
Principles; practices, methods materials and techniques used in building,construction and structural
design.
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Plans Examiner
Education:and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge
and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
Equivalent to an Associate's degree in engineering technology, building inspection, construction
technology, or other closely related field.
Experience
Three years of increasingly responsible experience reviewing and examining residential, industrial,
and commercial plans and specifications.
Certificates/Licenses:
Possession of'a valid California Class Cdriver license.
Possession of the. ICC (International Code Council) Building Plans Examiner and Inspector
certificate(s).
Certification by the ICC as a Building Inspector (Combination) isdesirable.
Certification by the Division of StateArchitect:as a,Certified Access;Specialist(CASp) is desirable.
Re-established: 04/01/13— Resolution#•
Abolished: 06/05/06—.Resolution#.2006-096
Established: On or before 03/90
Department: City Manager/Building Services Division
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
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