Job Description

Application Deadline:  Tuesday, October 28, 2025 by 5:00 PM EST.

To Apply: To view the complete job information and to apply, visit our employment website listed. Applications are only accepted online through the City of Charlottesville employment page,  and must be submitted prior to the listed closing date and time.  USE THE FOLLOWING URL TO APPLY ONLINE: 

The City's  Construction Plan Reviewer  is part of the  Department of Neighborhood Development Services  and performs responsible administrative and advanced technical work to enforce the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) for Construction Plan Review including performing inspections and permit technician backup. Work is performed under the supervision of and reports to the Building Code Official.

To learn more about the Department of Neighborhood Development Services and its operations, please visit: 

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $31.00 - $36.56 an hour ($64,480.00 - $76,044.80 annually) .  Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City,  please visit 
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option. While the City does not participate in VRS,  the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. 

Essential Responsibilities and Duties: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Reviews building plans and permit applications for compliance with the USBC with a focus on residential buildings for approval. May handle basic commercial plan reviews as necessary or assigned.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates plans within all specialized areas (plumbing, structural, building, mechanical, or electrical), including to confirm structural loading, energy efficiency, occupant loading, and building areas.
• Provides inspectors with additional technical support for code decisions and may perform site inspections. 
• Reviews code modification requests.
• Inspects existing buildings for hazardous conditions and structural failures, as instructed.
• Investigates building and site complaints and conditions of buildings where fires or other failures have occurred, as instructed.
• Issues warnings and stop work orders for non-complying projects.
• Issues certificates of occupancy, as instructed.
• Notifies engineers, contractors, architects, developers, and others concerning code discrepancies on plans reviewed, and informs applicants of necessary corrections required to plans submitted by clearly documenting deficiencies in written narrative form (including specific code citations) to effectively communicate requirements of code compliance.
• Monitors third party inspection services to ensure that construction complies with approved plans.
• Effectively responds to questions from citizens, contractors, and builders regarding enforcement, complaints, violations, and/or future changes to the building code. 
• Assists in the coordination and information dissemination concerning construction projects with interdepartmental or intergovernmental implications.
• Collaborates with the other Plans Reviewers, Inspectors, Zoning, Planning, and staff from other departments to coordinate USBC and City requirements for permit issuance, inspections and issuance of Certificate of Occupancies.
• Assists and makes recommendations to homeowners in preparation of plumbing, structural, or other plans when asked.
• Testifies in court on code violation cases.
• Prepares applicable correspondence, reports, and records of activities.
• Operates a city vehicle in the performance of job duties.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

 

• Serves as a backup for the Permit Technician role performing front-line customer service, clerical, and support service work related to permitting activities and operations such as but not limited to processing and verifying applications, assessing and accepting fees, and scheduling inspections.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:  Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Associate degree, technical/vocational degree or some college-level coursework in construction, business management or a related field  AND at least 3 years of experience in the building construction trade, in building inspections, or a related area.

OR

• High School diploma or GED  AND at least 5 years of experience in the building construction trade, in building inspections, or a related area.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above that would confer equivalent knowledge and ability. (13VAC5-63-50, Code of Virginia) 

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. 

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Certification of Residential Building Inspector and Residential Plan Reviewer per Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, (Virginia Certification Standards), within 1 year of hire or the state requirement for time limitations. 
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen. 

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. 

 

Salary/Compensation: $31.00 - $36.56 per hour

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Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, For contractors,

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