Salary: $6,322.16 – $7,999.62 Monthly
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Planning & Community Development
Job Number: 2022-00030
First Review: June 13, 2022
Closing: Continuous – Open Until Filled

Learn more about this position and apply today at City of Lake Stevens Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

The City of Lake Stevens Planning and Community Development Department is now recruiting for the position of Civil Plans Reviewer! This position will play a crucial part in supporting the Department’s goal of:

Maintain a unique and vibrant community that promotes economic growth and healthy neighborhoods with sustainable development and environmental protection.

About City of Lake Stevens:

Lake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community – the second fastest-growing city in Snohomish County – with a population of over 38,000 makes us the 5th largest city in the county.  

Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family. The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city’s motto, “One Community Around the Lake”, embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council’s commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents.

Why City of Lake Stevens?

  • Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. 
  • Flexible Work Schedules – The city offers a variety of work schedules to include potential hybrid/remote work dependent on meeting business necessities and supervisor approval.
  • Work Where You Live
  • Plan For Your Future – The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package:
  • Retirement
  • Deferred Compensation with match
  • Excellent healthcare options
  • Paid leave
  • And more – See our benefits page for a complete list

Position Purpose:

This position performs as a Civil Plans Reviewer. The technical position reviews commercial, residential and public plans for compliance with street, stormwater, paving, grading and related code requirements and regulations.  The incumbent will complete Traffic Concurrency (TCO) review for required developments and reviews right-of-way and easement documents for recording.  Incumbents are expected to possess knowledge of construction practices and standards related to streets, utilities, and subdivisions; an understanding of deeds, legal descriptions and easements; and may be assigned within the development review process. The incumbent will assist staff, designers, engineers, contractors and the public with code related questions and issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Reviews all types of permits including new construction and site development for completeness of information, reviews plan for conformance with various city and state codes and identifies plan discrepancies with established codes and regulations.
  • Coordinates the review, comments, and revisions to civil plans with applicants, other city divisions and departments, and partner agencies (fire, sewer, water). 
  • Works with the Planning Division and developers to obtain final project approval including project bond development and approval.
  • Participates in pre-application, pre-construction and other meetings including site visits as required.
  • Provides information to engineers, surveyors and the public regarding code compliance and plan corrections; responds to public and contractor questions.
  • Serves as liaison with other departments and/or divisions as necessary regarding code compliance as it relates to civil engineering issues.
  • Conducts research and prepares written correspondence and reports; writes detailed correction notices whenever code violations are discovered, and conducts follow through to correct violations as needed.
  • Enters all reviews and inspection reports into the city’s permit tracking system.
  • Interprets and explains ordinances, codes and regulations; communicates with fire, law enforcement, water, sewer and other community and governmental agencies in the performance of duties.
  • Maintains regular and reliable attendance.

Peripheral Duties:

  • Perform the duties of other department personnel as directed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Please see the attached questionnaire for position specific physical requirements and typical working conditions.  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described in the below and the attached form are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and to stand and walk; the employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. While in the office environment, the employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is usually performed in both an office and field environment subject to driving to offsite locations to perform inspections or to investigate issues. The field environment may include, but not be limited to, all types of weather conditions and perhaps potential hazards from unconfined animals, dilapidated structures and litter.  Walking over rough, uneven terrain and some climbing may be required.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed individuals who may possibly be irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Evening or variable hours to attend meetings may be required.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

  • Associates degree in construction technology, engineering technology with a civil engineering emphasis, or related field, including course work in construction technology or civil engineering.
  • Related work experience may be substituted for education requirements year for year.
  • High School diploma or equivalent is required. 

OR

Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications.  

Examples include:

Knowledge of:

  • Engineering design theories and principles. 
  • Construction and surveying theories and principles. 
  • Applicable laws, regulations, codes, policies and engineering standard practices. 
  • Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with government agencies, community groups, various business, professional and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors and the public. 
  • Professional written and oral communication skills. 
  • Microsoft Office suite. 
  • Computer applications related to the work, including basic GIS and AutoCAD concepts and applications or other specialized software use as it applies to area of responsibility.
  • Lean Management System or Six Sigma principles preferred.

Ability to:

  • Read and interpret plans, structural calculations, surveys, construction specifications, and other documents relative to approval of civil / engineering drawings and reports. 
  • Maintain sustained attention to detail and accuracy and to work under the pressure of rigid deadlines.
  • Communicate detailed information clearly and concisely.
  • Work independently and make decisions within established guidelines; prioritize work to meet deadlines, while effectively managing multiple projects.
  • Organize work for maximum efficiency.
  • Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy with co-workers, elected officials, other agency staff, vendors, and the general public.
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain complex issues and applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers.
  • Respond quickly and professionally to inquiries and issues.
  • Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
  • Apply common sense in solving problems, including those where limited standardization exists. 
  • Apply lean or six sigma principles to continuously improve processes, procedures and implement change management.
  • Compose, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, contracts, procedures, etc.
  • Read, analyze, and interpret relevant publications, media information and other forms of information.
  • Add, subtract, multiply, divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; draw and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations.
  • Speak effectively and present information before groups of employees, managers, community members, or elected officials.

License, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

  • Valid driver’s license and a driving record which meets the city’s requirements. Must be able to obtain State of Washington driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
  • Completion of position-relevant background check.  

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Supplemental Information:

How to Apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

  • An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
  • An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
  • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. **Please Note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

The City of Lake Stevens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. 

There are no limitations to who’s a best fit to serve this community. If we contact you for an interview and you need specific accommodations, please let us know. Please contact Human Resources at (425) 622-9400, ten (10) days in advance to allow time for us to make proper arrangements.  You’re also welcome to mail your request to City of Lake Stevens Human Resources, P.O. Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258; or email to HR@lakestevenswa.gov.