Plans Examiner

October 10, 2026

UPCOMING SALARY INCREASES:<div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;">2.5% Salary Increase effective January 2027</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;">3.5% Salary Increase effective July 2027</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;">3.25% Salary Increase effective July 2028</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;">2.85% Salary Increase effective July 2029</div><div style="text-align: center;"> PRIOR YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE VACATION ACCRUAL CREDIT: Full-time service in a City, County, State, Federal Agency, or Special District may be counted towards vacation accrual tiers at the City of Napa</div> Are you a building paraprofessional with experience in commercial and residential plan checking? Do you enjoy producing great work in the areas of building inspection, code compliance, and plan checking? Are you passionate about reviewing plans and determining compliance with building codes and safety standards? <div style="text-align: center;">Then APPLY today to join a hardworking team that strives to make our community and organization a better place! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Community Resources and Development Department is seeking applicants for one (1) Plans Examiner opening in our Building Division. Our Building Division continuously provides professional recommendations to our community on construction plans for compliance with the latest California Building Code, city ordinances, and state and federal laws. The Plans Examiner works in collaboration with multiple team members in the Building Division including Permit Technicians, Senior Permit Technician, Building Inspectors, and Chief Building Official, as well as other City departments and divisions across the organization. As a Plans Examiner, you will have the opportunity to be the go-to specialist in technical and administrative tasks related to processing plans concerning the construction of industrial, commercial and residential structures in Napa. It will be your responsibility to determine compliance with applicable codes, laws and regulations to support the safety and growth of the community. This position reviews and checks construction plans and related documents submitted by architects, engineers, contractors and owners for general conformity and compliance to requirements of applicable building and safety codes and related laws and ordinances. You will also be responsible for determining submittal requirements for permit applications, assisting applicants in gaining compliance, performing field inspections, resolving disputes, and responding to counter, phone and written inquiries. </div> We are looking for a team player with strong communication and collaboration skills who excels at interpreting building/zoning regulations and working with a wide variety of customers. Experience working with EnerGov permitting software and BlueBeam plan review software is highly desirable. Applicants who have experience with plan checking for a Building Division, or in a similar setting for a local government agency are encouraged to apply! ***Special Requirements***: Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner Certificate and a Building Inspector Certification are required within one year of hire. <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ideal candidates for the position of Plans Examiner will have shown success in demonstrating the following competencies:</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Technical Knowledge and Skill – Knowledge of principles and practices of building/plans examination and keeping up with current developments in building codes.</li><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Managing Relationships – Meeting the personal needs of individuals to build trust, encourage two-way communication, and strengthen relationships.</li><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Quality Orientation – Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved no matter how detailed; showing concern for all aspects of the job. </li><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Decision Making – Identifying and understanding problems and opportunities by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; choosing the best course of action by establishing clear decision criteria, generating and evaluating alternatives, and making timely decisions; taking action that is consistent with available facts and constraints and optimizes probable consequences.</li><li style="list-style-type: inherit; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Coaching and Developing Others – Providing feedback, instruction, and development mentorship to help others excel in their current or future job responsibilities; planning and supporting the development of individual skills and abilities.</li><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Resolving Conflict – Helping others deal effectively with an antagonistic situation to minimize damage to the relationships and promote shared goals; using appropriate interpersonal methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people and facilitate agreement.</li><li style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Emotional Intelligence – Establishing and sustaining trusting relationships by accurately perceiving and interpreting own and others' emotions and behavior; leveraging insights to effectively manage own responses so that one's behavior matches one's values and delivers intended results.</li><li style="list-style-type: inherit; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Planning and Organizing – Establishing an action plan to complete work efficiently and on time by setting priorities, establishing timelines, and using resources.</li><li style="list-style-type: inherit; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner. </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;" data-pasted="true"><div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: justify;" data-pasted="true">In addition to the competitive salary and upcoming salary increases listed above, the City of Napa offers an attractive benefits package including:</div><ul style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: justify;">Vacation Leave - New employees can accrue up to 104 vacation hours annually.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-pasted="true">Prior Years of Public Service Vacation Accrual Credit - Full-time service in a City, County, State, Federal Agency, or Special District may be counted towards vacation accrual tiers at the City of Napa.</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Paid Holidays - 15 paid holidays per year.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Personal Leave - 4 hours per year.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Sick Leave - Employees can accrue up to 96 hours annually.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Dental and Medical Insurance Plans - The City provides significant contributions to dental and medical plans.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Retirement - The City participates in the CalPERS retirement pension system.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Deferred Compensation Program - Employees are eligible to enroll in a 457 Plan and the City contributes $83.33 per month to a 457 plan.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Life Insurance and AD&D - $50,000 of coverage paid for by the City.</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Phone Stipend - Up to $110 per month</div></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Tuition Reimbursement- $2,000 per year </div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" data-pasted="true"><a href="" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Please visit our Benefits webpage to view the full benefits guide.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Additionally, upon completion of the probationary period, our Community Resources and Development Department offers the flexibility of a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off) which allows employees to enjoy a three-day weekend every other weekend to promote work/life balance.</div> This recruitment and examination are being conducted to fill one (1) vacancy and may be used to fill future similar vacancies as they occur during the active status of the employment list. The active status of this employment list will be for six (6) months unless abolished sooner or extended beyond that date in accordance with the Civil Service Rules. <a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Please click here to view a full job description for Plans Examiner.</a></div>MISSION STATEMENT for the City of Napa Rooted in public service, our mission is to grow a vibrant, sustainable community for all who live in, work in, and visit the City of Napa, through thoughtful leadership and dedication to excellence. CORE VALUES for the City of Napa<ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Integrity - Consistently demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct with accountability and pride.</li><li>Service - Engaging in meaningful work to care for our community through resourceful dedication and humble actions.</li><li>Inclusion - Creating a sense of ease and belonging through respect, acceptance, and mindfulness of our collective diversity. </li><li>Collaboration - Working together with a shared purpose while respectfully considering all voices to achieve common goals, solutions, and greater outcomes. </li></ul>***NOTE: CITY OF NAPA EMPLOYEES SHOULD USE A PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS***<div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">SELECTION PROCESS</div><div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">The City of Napa utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, an eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments and eligible lists may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.</div> Candidates who have participated in a testing process for a recruitment are not eligible to re-take the same test within six (6) months. <undefined> </undefined><div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">What happens next?</div><ul style="list-style-type: disc; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; margin: 0px 0px 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px;" type="disc"><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">We will review your application and all supplemental materials to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the selection process. Application appraisal includes a review of qualifications, education, training, and experience related to the job, as well as supplemental questions if applicable.</li><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">Applicants moving forward in the selection process may be asked to participate in any combination of the following (at any phase of the selection process): online assessment, written examination, job-related exercise, phone interview, and panel interview. These testing steps may be conducted on a pass/fail basis, and/or percentage-based scoring methodology. </li><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">Based on the City Charter, the final phase of the selection process is the Probationary Period, which in most cases is six (6) months but may be twelve (12) months depending on the classification. </li><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">When three or fewer candidates are available, the testing procedures outlined in the Job Announcement may be waived by the Human Resources Department.</li></ul><undefined> </undefined><div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">Language Equity </div><ul style="list-style-type: disc; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; margin: 0px 0px 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">If you need assistance with the recruitment and selection process in Spanish, contact us at 707-257-9505. These requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. </li><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">Si necesita ayuda con el proceso de reclutamiento y selección en español, contáctenos al 707-257-9505. Estas solicitudes se evaluarán caso por caso.</li></ul><undefined> </undefined><div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">Reasonable Accommodations</div><div style="color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-indent: 0.0px;text-align: justify;">The City of Napa Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the testing process must inform the HR Department in writing by the final filing date. A Reasonable Accommodation Request Form is available from HR and may be obtained by calling 707-257-9505, or dial 7-1-1 for the California Relay Service, offering free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</div>

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...

DISCLAIMER