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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III June 2026Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III City of Port Townsend Job Description Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III Classification title: Public Works Inspector III Working title: Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III Department: Public Works Union: Teamsters General Government FLSA status: Non-exempt Wage Classification: 29 Hours: Full Time Effective date: June 2026 Reports to: City Engineer or Assistant City Engineer Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks supporting the Public Works Department in the review of community development plans, inspection of capital projects and community development, right-of-way management, code enforcement, and other technical support for construction of engineering projects and implementation of standards. Oversight and support of development resulting in quality public infrastructure is the core basis for this position. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employee shall meet all requirements of groups A, B, and C, 12 of group D, and 10 of group E of the Core Competencies, and the tasks described in these select competencies are considered part of the essential functions for Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III. • Perform a variety of field work related to construction and inspection including: o Inspections of public streets, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure o Inspections of private property development outside of the building footprint o Inspections of traffic control and erosion control o Use an electronic tablet to track inspections in Smartgov permit software o Read, interpret and enforce construction plans, WSDOT specifications, City code, building code and standard details o Collect and/or prepare accurate records of public works and private development projects including inspection reports, test results, "as-built" conditions, and other pertinent information o Observe for safety hazards on job sites and modify procedures as required to ensure safe working conditions for contractors, employees and the public o Conduct and/or coordinate material testing for public works projects including concrete mixes, asphalt testing and soil compaction o Conduct and/or coordinate field utility testing of water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure o Assist the Code Enforcement Officer in code compliance related to right-of-way and public works infrastructure o Provide public education and outreach concerning right-of-way management o Perform data collection using GPS equipment for City infrastructure mapping • Perform a variety of office work related to permit review and coordination with applicants: Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III o Use Smartgov permit software to digitally review, condition and approve Street Development Permits (SDP), Minor Improvement Projects (MIPs), and private site plans related to building permits o Phone and email correspondence with applicants, developers and contractors o Coordinate permit approvals and inspect franchise utilities work o Address right-of-way concerns, such as streetlight change requests o Coordinate review with the City Engineer and/or Assistant City Engineer o Digitally respond to resident concerns relating to construction and other activities in City rights- of-way o Provide permit counter assistance for developer inquiries o Represent the City at meetings with developers and general public o Assist in preparing and updating the City of Port Townsend engineering design standards and specifications o Coordinate with Planning and Community Development permitting, inspection, and code enforcement staff CORE COMPETENCIES: To show competency for these skills, the employee must have worked in an equivalent position for another agency or worked for the City for a minimum of one year demonstrating the skills for this position. The groups below provide a list of competencies for career path development. Group A Competencies (workplace effectiveness, communication and safety) • Provides essential services as a front-line worker. • Demonstrates safe work practices and follows applicable safety procedures. • Demonstrates self-motivation, initiative, and accountability. • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. • Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments within established work plans. • Effective and efficient communication with team members, managers, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues. • Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people. • Maintains cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management and customers. • Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness. • Supports cross-team collaboration with other divisions and departments to achieve successful outcomes. • Supports the Engineering division and the Public Works Department in meeting project and service delivery goals. • Ability to navigate uneven terrain and variable conditions on construction job sites. • Ability to organize, prioritize, and perform time management. • Shows aptitude for detailed written documentation and communication. Group B Competencies (entry level) • Demonstrates competency with core software applications, including Microsoft Office, permitting systems, and coordination tools. Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III • Ability to develop basic to intermediate reports and dashboard-style summaries using permitting and other software tools. • Demonstrates strong organizational and recordkeeping skills, including adherence to public records requirements and permit processing protocols. • Ability to learn and apply construction documentation practices consistent with WSDOT construction management standards. • Demonstrates consistency and fairness in applying City codes, policies, and procedures. • Ability to learn, apply, and uphold City codes, policies, and best practices related to right-of-way management. • Working knowledge of building and planning codes and inspection requirements. • Ability to follow established procedures and coordinate effectively with Planning and Community Development Department. • Demonstrates excellent internal and external customer service skills. • Ability to perform public education and outreach related to City codes, permits, initiatives, and construction projects. • Ability to require and support compliance with plans and specifications, City codes, policies, and procedures, including professionally addressing potentially confrontational situations. Group C Competencies (technical skills) • Basic to working knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, sequencing, and performance standards. • Knowledge and ability to implement City Codes, policies, and best practices for right-of-way management. • Ability to read, interpret, and analyze civil construction plans and specifications • Working knowledge of industry standards and best practices, including the ability to apply WSDOT Standard Specifications and project special provisions. • Ability to use WSDOT or related construction management and inspection documentation, including Inspector Daily Reports, Requests for Material Approval, and Change Orders. • Ability to document change orders, force account work, and field conditions accurately and thoroughly. • Proficiency in using the City’s GIS system for information retrieval, analysis, and decision- making. • Ability to use PDF editing and markup software (such as Bluebeam) for plan review and documentation. • Ability to use permitting software and coordination tools to support efficient time management and project tracking. • Working knowledge of job site safety requirements and compliance standards. • Ability to address and resolve conflicts among contractors, developers, engineers, City staff, and the public to ensure construction of quality public infrastructure in compliance with plans, specifications, engineering standards, and City codes. • Ability to interpret staking data and make recommendations for field adjustments. • Ability to perform ADA compliance surveys before and after infrastructure installation. • Working knowledge of job site safety requirements. Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III Group D Competencies (division specific skills– included to show skills needed for advancement) • Ability to develop advanced reports and dashboard-style analytics using permitting and coordination software to support program and project oversight. • Ability to create engineering field drawings, redlines, and construction sketches using PDF markup tools such as Bluebeam. • Thorough understanding of, and ability to apply, the WSDOT Construction Manual in field and office settings. • Ability to use drafting software such as AutoCAD to develop or modify technical drawings. • Ability to set construction stakes and right-of-way stakes in accordance with approved plans and survey control. • Ability to locate right-of-way boundaries using survey data, GIS mapping, and field reconnaissance. • Ability to collect and manage field data using GPS data collection equipment. • Ability to enter and manage GIS data through field and desktop applications. • Thorough understanding of ADA standards and the ability to apply accessibility requirements to public infrastructure projects. • Ability to perform intermediate-level civil plan review for compliance with standards, codes, and constructability requirements. • Understanding of legal and regulatory principles related to public works, including risk management, permitting, and liability considerations. • Ability to develop public outreach and education materials such as brochures, web content, videos, checklists, and informational guides. • Thorough understanding of City policies and codes related to planning, development requirements, and right-of-way management. • Ability to prepare and issue correspondence and conduct outreach related to code enforcement activities, in coordination with the Code Enforcement Officer. • Cross-trained in building inspection activities, such as foundation inspections, to support interdepartmental coordination. • Demonstrates fluency in water, sewer, stormwater, and street design principles, including construction quality assurance and inspection practices. Group E Competencies (leadership skills – included to show skills needed for advancement) • In a team environment, ability to develop, revise, and implement codes, standards, or procedures related to infrastructure development, planning, and building functions. • Ability to enhance permitting systems by developing new tools, reports, workflows, or software improvements that increase efficiency and transparency. • Ability to design and implement systems and processes that improve infrastructure delivery, compliance, and long-term asset performance. • Ability to perform advanced civil plan review under the oversight of a licensed professional engineer. • Demonstrates initiative to develop specialized expertise in areas relevant to departmental needs, such as arboriculture, pavement engineering, infrastructure rehabilitation, or asset management. • Ability to schedule, coordinate, and oversee work programs within Engineering and Public Works. Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III • Leads, implements, and evaluates process improvement initiatives across teams or programs. • Participates in Public Works discussions related to policies, priorities, and resource allocation. • Leads 1:1 meetings with other team members. • Ability to develop budgets, cost estimates, and fee calculations for public infrastructure projects and programs. • Demonstrates ability to coach, mentor, and train other staff. • Exhibits a high level of effectiveness in written and verbal communication across all levels of the organization and with the public. • Demonstrates emotional intelligence by recognizing and responding to the needs, concerns, and perspectives of team members. • Skilled in resolving conflicts or disagreements using diplomacy, sound judgment, and constructive problem-solving techniques. • Effectively manages time and resources to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and optimize organizational performance. QUALIFICATIONS Required • High school diploma or GED • Eight years’ experience performing construction-related work or inspection in related fields, or any combination of education and experience equivalent to at least eight years of construction management and inspection experience. • Demonstrated proficiency in computer operating systems. • Valid Washington State Driver’s License and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. Preferred • College degree in construction management, engineering technology, or related field • Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of software • Experience with public works projects and/or municipal government experience WORKING CONDITIONS This position includes standard office work and work with the public. Effective verbal communication with public is essential. Additionally, this position includes substantial field work, being outdoors in all types of weather. Plan review and inspection responsibilities require correctable vision, an ability to drive an automobile and to walk over construction sites. Inspections frequently require climbing ladders or crawling into restricted spaces. Heavy lifting is not required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Public Works Plans Reviewer/Inspector III This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.