Freelance Building Code Plan Reviewer Jobs in California

Salary : $87,976.36 - $120,967.50 Annually
Location : City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 04/30/2026
ABOUT THE POSITION AND OUR AGENCY
The City of Carpinteria is Accepting Applications for
BUILDING OFFICIAL
Deadline to Apply to be for Next Review of Applications: Sunday, August 2, 2026
Salary Range: $87,976 - $120,967 annually*
plus a generous benefits package
*Salary updated to reflect a 3.6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 3.6% effective 07/01/2026
Are you ready to take the next step in your building safety career, or are you an experienced Building Official looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact? If you enjoy balancing technical expertise with problem-solving, collaboration, and exceptional customer service, we encourage you to apply!
The City of Carpinteria is seeking a Building Official to join our Community Development Department.
(Payroll Classification: Chief Building Inspector/Plans Examiner.)
This position offers a unique opportunity to play a key role in the City's building program. As the City's primary building official, you'll perform plan review, conduct field inspections, provide code interpretation, oversee permit services, and work closely with planners, contractors, design professionals, property owners, and the public to support safe, high-quality development in our coastal community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Building Division, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing,
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of building inspection, plans examination, and permit processing services and activities; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Director.
• Serves as source of information for developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors regarding building code and City construction regulations; reviews complex code applications for requested code modifications and alternate materials and methods; represents the division, department, and City in building code disputes and litigations.
• Performs preliminary review of projects submitted; performs site inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local construction codes; works closely with other departments in addressing City construction projects and code interpretations.
• Coordinates with City department representatives to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements; oversees technical consultants' work products to ensure adherence to City standards and legal provisions; ensures that deliverables are submitted on time and budget and that progress and payment requests are consistent with City policy and contract provisions.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in building and safety; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to divisional and City needs.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Assists with developing and managing the program's budget.
• Provides exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, and responsive, fair, courteous and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Enforces laws, codes and ordinances dealing with the construction of new buildings and the alterations and safety of existing buildings, grading and excavation.
• Reviews plans and applications for building permits; approve building permits; plan, direct and participate in field inspections of building construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations in residential and commercial buildings to ensure compliance and conformance with applicable codes.
• Reviews and check plans and specifications for construction, remodeling and alterations to ensure compliance with pertinent codes and accepted construction practices; issue acceptance and approval of such plans and specifications.
• Consults with engineers, architects, contractors, and property owners regarding applications, requirements, restrictions, permits, building plans, and inspections.
• Advises County and City officials, professionals and the public of building codes, building code interpretations, city ordinances, development review processes, and other related requirements.
• Investigates violations and complaints; conduct site visits regarding violations, ensures accurate documentation and determine solutions and alternative methods to achieve code compliance.
• Keeps current on new codes, ordinances, laws and amendments, and new construction methods and materials and they relate to building code provisions.
• Ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures; conduct inspections.
• Reviews plans for seismic safety precautions and code compliance.
• Prepares analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.
• Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and/or Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with major course works in civil engineering, architecture or related field is highly desirable
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in structural engineering, building inspection, code enforcement, plan checking, building permit counter and record maintenance.

License/Certificate
All required licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment.

• Possession of at least one of the following certificates at time of appointment:
  1. International Code Council (ICC) Combination Building Inspector
  2. (ICC) Plans Examiner
  3. Building Official certificate
• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) by DSA is desirable.
• Safety Assessment Program Coordinator by CALOES is desirable.
• A valid appropriate California driver's license may be required.
• Maintain a satisfactory driving record.

Required Knowledge, Skill and Abilities
The following are a representative sample of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform essential duties of the position:
Knowledge of:

• Project and program management methodologies and organizational management.
• Specialized training in building inspection, code enforcement, plan checking, building permit counter, record maintenance and clerical operations.

Skill/Ability to:

• Direct and administer Building Division programs; analyze and interpret complex building plans and specifications and construction blueprints.
• Interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State and Local laws, codes and regulations.
• Inspect and analyze standard building construction, interpret and apply laws andregulationsandapplytechnicalknowledgetoidentifycodeviolationsand detect deviations from plans and standard construction practices.
• Respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner.
• Prepare accurate and precise technical reports and records.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including co-workers, property owners, builders, contractors, civic and professional groups and the general public.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Operate computer systems and permit, record keeping, word processing and accounting programs.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Speak Spanish is not required but desired.

SELECTION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR NEXT REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.
APPLY BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026 @ 11:59 PM
Applications must be submitted online.
Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.
Please be sure to review the complete job description:
Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your application through this applicant tracking system. Statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications. Those candidates whose skills and abilities best meet the needs of the department will be invited to move to the next step in the recruitment process.
The City of Carpinteria offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, deferred compensation, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-/short-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page:
01
Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire:The application and supplemental questionnaire will serve as a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide on your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and candidates who are best qualified to advance in the selection process. Please note:• Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. • A résumé and cover letter must be attached; however, they will not substitute for completing the job experience section of the application or this supplemental questionnaire. • Responses such as "see resume," "see application," or "see attached" are considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.AcknowledgementBy selecting "Yes" below, you confirm that:1. You have read and understood the job description (link provided in the job posting) and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire.2. Your application and supplemental questionnaire responses accurately reflect your training, education, and experience.3. You understand that your responses are subject to verification.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have at least five years of full-time increasingly responsible experience in structural engineering, building inspection, code enforcement, plan checking, building permit counter and record maintenance?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have experience reviewing and checking building plans and specifications for compliance with local, state, and federal building codes?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered "yes" to the previous question (#3), please tell us your experience performing those duties. In your response, please indicate the time frame, name of the employer, and position held. If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A."
05
Do you have experience performing on-site building inspections to ensure compliance with relevant codes and ordinances?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered "yes" to the previous question (#5), please describe your experience performing those duties. In your response, please indicate the time frame, name of the employer, and position held. If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A."
07
At least one of the following certifications must be held at the time of appointment. Please indicate the certifications you currently hold (check all that apply):

• International Code Council (ICC) Combination Building Inspector
• ICC Plans Examiner
• Building Official certificate

08
The following certifications are not required but are considered desirable for this position. Please indicate any you currently hold (check all that apply):

• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) by DSA
• Safety Assessment Program Coordinator by CALOES
• Other (Please specify in the next question)
• None of the above

09
Please list any certifications you hold that are relevant to this position and you did not check in Questions 7 and 8.
10
Which of the following software programs and systems have you used in a professional capacity? (Check all that apply)

• Permit tracking software (e.g., Accela, Tyler Technologies)
• Building plan review software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanGrid)
• Word processing and spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
• None of the above

11
To be considered for this position, applicants must attach both a resume and a cover letter. The cover letter should highlight your qualifications and your interest in the position with the City of