VALLEJO, Calif. — On Sept. 8 the Vallejo Civil Service Commission approved a new Building Plans Examiner classification to address persistent recruitment challenges for the Building Plans Engineer role.

Human Resources told the commission repeated recruitments for the building plans engineer classification — which requires a professional engineer (PE) license — failed to attract enough qualified applicants statewide. The department and Human Resources studied comparator agencies and found several use a Plans Examiner classification that does not require a PE license for plan-review duties. Staff recommended adding a Building Plans Examiner classification to maintain timely plan review and permit issuance.

Chief Building Official Bill Collins, appearing by Zoom, said the department is willing to hire candidates with primarily building-inspection experience and provide in-house and external training. “We will be the ones doing the training,” Collins said, adding that supervising staff and outside courses would be used to support new examiners. Human Resources told the commission the incumbent hired into the classification would be required to obtain a Plans Examiner B3 certification within the 12-month probationary period.

Human Resources said there are currently vacancies for Building Plans Engineer; there were no existing Building Plans Examiner positions. The community of interest for the position lies with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the union had been presented the specification before the meeting. If approved by City Council, staff will amend the positions-and-salaries resolution and set salary ranges pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code section 2.6.034(a).

The commission approved the new classification by roll-call vote; the motion carried with three affirmative votes and Commissioners Janick and Wright absent.