HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09b - Senior Plans Examiner Classification
STAFF REPORT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: September 1, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Lisa Flores, Development Services Director
By: Ken Fields, Building Official
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7707 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 7594
ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION AND RELATED BENEFITS FOR
EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY THE ARCADIA CITY EMPLOYEES’
ASSOCIATION (“ACEA”) FOR JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
(SENIOR PLANS EXAMINER)
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
The Development Services Department seeks to establish a Senior Plans Examiner
classification within the Building Services Division. The proposed classification will
support staff growth, employee development and retention, increase the Division's
capacity to perform complex plan reviews in-house, and expand its expertise with
accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliance.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) requires any
changes to the salary schedule, such as adding a new classification title, to be
adopted publicly. Accordingly, it is recommended that the City Council adopt
Resolution No. 7707, amending Resolution No. 7594 to approve an amendment to
the Memorandum of Understanding with the Arcadia City Employees’ Association
(“ACEA”) for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to add the Senior Plans
Examiner classification and establish compensation and related benefits.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, following the departure of a Building Inspector, the Development Services
Establishing the Senior Plans Examiner Classification
September 1, 2026
Page 2 of 4
Department (“DSD”) evaluated the operational needs of the Building Services Division
to determine the most effective use of the vacant position. Based on that
assessment, DSD determined that its greatest need was for a specialized Plans
Examiner rather than an additional Building Inspector. As a result, the City
established the Plans Examiner classification to bring a portion of the plan review
function in-house that had historically been performed by contract consultants.
The creation of the Plans Examiner classification improved the Department's ability
to provide timely plan review services, reduced reliance on outside consultants for
routine projects, and enhanced customer service by creating a more comprehensive,
one-stop permitting process for common construction projects. The classification
was also designed to assist with building inspection duties, as operational needs and
workload demands require.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Senior Plans Examiner classification is intended to provide a
structured career progression for staff as they gain experience and demonstrate
proficiency in handling larger and more complex projects. The classification would
establish a senior level within the Plans Examiner classification series and be
designated as flexibly staffed. When positions are flexibly staffed, career progression
is available for existing employees, and it allows the City to meet its operational
needs by retaining qualified talent within the organization.
The Senior Plans Examiner would perform advanced plan review assignments, serve
as a technical resource for Building Services staff, assist with complex code
interpretations, and provide specialized expertise in accessibility requirements
under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The position would also retain the
flexibility to assist with building inspection functions as workload demands require.
Importantly, the proposed classification would not increase the number of positions
within the Building Services Division. Rather, it creates an advancement opportunity
within the existing staffing structure, allowing an existing Plans Examiner to advance
to the Senior Plans Examiner level upon gaining the necessary experience and
proficiency. Without adding personnel, this approach allows the Department to
recognize and utilize the expertise of existing staff while providing a clear path for
professional growth.
Establishing the Senior Plans Examiner Classification
September 1, 2026
Page 3 of 4
The proposed classification and related changes have been discussed with the
Arcadia City Employees' Association (“ACEA”), and the Association has agreed to the
proposed changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines, as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Senior Plans Examiner classification would be placed in Salary Range 71, which
ranges from $8,730 per month to $10,905 per month. This represents an
approximately 5% increase over the Plans Examiner classification, which is currently
assigned to Salary Range 69, and ranges from $8,308 per month to $10,377 per
month. Due to vacancies within the Building Division, there are sufficient funds in the
Department’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget to absorb any associated
increases from the creation of the Senior Plans Examiner classification. Future year
costs will be presented during the annual budget process for City Council approval.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not
constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and
adopt Resolution No. 7707 amending Resolution No. 7594, establishing
compensation and related benefits for employees represented by the Arcadia City
Employees’ Association (“ACEA”) for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to add the
Senior Plans Examiner classification to the salary schedule as required by the
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”).
Establishing the Senior Plans Examiner Classification
September 1, 2026
Page 4 of 4
Attachments: Resolution No. 7707 (includes salary schedule as Exhibit “A”)
Proposed Classification Specification for Senior Plans Examiner
Range
Number Title Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F Step G Step H Step I Step J
42 Library Assistant 4,267$ 4,372$ 4,485$ 4,595$ 4,710$ 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$
43 Accounting Technician I 4,372$ 4,485$ 4,595$ 4,710$ 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$
44 4,485$ 4,595$ 4,710$ 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$
45 Office Assistant 4,595$ 4,710$ 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$
46 Library Technician I
Museum Education Coordinator 4,710$ 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$
47 Accounting Technician II
Senior Citizens Project Specialist 4,829$ 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$
48 Library Technician II 4,950$ 5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$
49
Administrative Assistant
City Clerk Technician
Senior Citizens Program Specialist
5,076$ 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$
50 Building Technician I 5,201$ 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$
51 Recreation Coordinator 5,331$ 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$
52 Senior Library Technician 5,461$ 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$
53 Senior Accounting Technician
Utility Billing Specialist 5,600$ 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$
54 Building Technician II
Senior Administrative Assistant 5,737$ 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$
55 Fire Administrative Specialist 5,880$ 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$
56 Arborist 6,027$ 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$
57 Accounting Specialist
Circulation Services Supervisor 6,178$ 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$
58 Code Services Officer
Deputy City Clerk 6,337$ 6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$
59
Engineering Assistant
Historical Museum Curator
Information Systems Specialist
Librarian I
Office Coordinator
6,491$ 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$
60 Business License Officer
Senior Building Technician 6,654$ 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF ARCADIA MONTHLY SALARY RANGE
JULY 1, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027
ACEA - 5.0%
Range
Number Title Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F Step G Step H Step I Step J
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF ARCADIA MONTHLY SALARY RANGE
JULY 1, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027
ACEA - 5.0%
61 Revenue Collection Supervisor 6,820$ 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$
62 Public Works Inspector
Senior Code Services Officer 6,992$ 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$
63 7,163$ 7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$
64
Assistant City Clerk
Assistant Planner
Building Inspector
Librarian II
Senior Engineering Assistant
7,345$ 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$
65 7,525$ 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$
66 Senior Public Works Inspector 7,713$ 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$
67 7,908$ 8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$
68
Fire Prevention Specialist
Public Works Customer
Service/Administrative Supervisor
Code Services Supervisor
8,106$ 8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$
69
Assistant Engineer
Associate Planner
Senior Building Inspector
Plans Examiner
8,308$ 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$ 10,377$
70 8,516$ 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$ 10,377$ 10,638$
71 Senior Fire Prevention Specialist
Senior Plans Examiner 8,730$ 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$ 10,377$ 10,638$ 10,905$
72 8,947$ 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$ 10,377$ 10,638$ 10,905$ 11,173$
73 Principal Librarian 9,170$ 9,403$ 9,636$ 9,878$ 10,124$ 10,377$ 10,638$ 10,905$ 11,173$ 11,451$
74 Associate Civil Engineer 9,401$ 9,634$ 9,874$ 10,123$ 10,375$ 10,633$ 10,901$ 11,173$ 11,451$ 11,739$
75 Senior Planner 9,634$ 9,874$ 10,123$ 10,375$ 10,633$ 10,901$ 11,173$ 11,451$ 11,739$ 12,033$
76 9,874$ 10,123$ 10,375$ 10,633$ 10,901$ 11,173$ 11,451$ 11,739$ 12,033$ 12,333$
77 10,123$ 10,375$ 10,633$ 10,900$ 11,174$ 11,451$ 11,738$ 12,033$ 12,333$ 12,641$
78 Senior Civil Engineer 10,375$ 10,634$ 10,901$ 11,173$ 11,452$ 11,738$ 12,032$ 12,333$ 12,640$ 12,958$
Salaries are effective the beginning of the pay period containing July 1, 2026
Arborist added and approved 06/16/2026, effective the beginning of the pay period containing 7/01/2026
Revenue Collection Supervisor added and approved 07/21/2026, effective on 07/26/2026
CITY OF ARCADIA
SENIOR PLANS EXAMINER
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs advanced-level professional and technical duties
related to reviewing and approving construction plans, calculations, specifications, and
related documents for complex residential, commercial, and industrial projects for
compliance with Federal, State, and local building codes and regulations; Emphasis is
placed on accessibility compliance and inspection oversight in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California accessibility requirements; assists
inspectors, contractors, design professionals and the public regarding construction
requirements; assists at the public counter; assists Building Inspectors as needed;
performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced level position in the plans examiner series. Positions at this level usually
perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Plans Examiner level but are
distinguished from the Plans Examiner by requiring more direct experience, certifications,
and responsibility over more complex projects and broader oversight. The Senior Plans
Examiner is further distinguished from the Plans Examiner by requiring a Certification as a
Certified Access Specialist (CASp).
Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Senior Plans Examiner
level may be filled by advancement from the Plans Examiner level and in accordance with
the requirements set forth in the Personnel Rules and Regulations. When filled from the
outside, the employee is required to have prior related experience which allows the
employee to meet the qualification standards for the Senior Plans Examiner level.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises technical and functional supervision over lower level staff as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Review and evaluate complex plans, structural engineering calculations, soil analysis
reports, and other reports for commercial, industrial and/or residential projects to ascertain
conformance to Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Codes, and pertinent
provisions of City, State, and County health and environmental codes, laws and regulations.
Prepare plan check reports indicating deficiencies in plans, structural engineering
calculations, soil analysis reports and other reports, and ensure that requisite corrections
City of Arcadia
Senior Plans Examiner (Continued) Page 2 of 5
are met.
Approve plans that comply; issue permits for construction.
File and log current projects to track status; transmit plans to other divisions, departments
and outside consultants as appropriate.
Take in plan reviews and work the public counter as required.
Perform code research; investigate new and substitute materials; investigate new methods
of structure design.
Confer with architects, engineers, contractors and the general public on proposed projects
to resolve unforeseen issues.
Answer questions and advise the public concerning codes and plan check reports; advise
building inspectors of unusual design, construction, or installation problems.
Develop informational handouts/checklists related to plan check requirements for public
distribution.
Perform preliminary design review and similar tasks as a Building Services representative
on the monthly Development Review Committee meetings, as needed.
Represent the City in meetings with members of the public, contractors, community
groups, and committees, as needed.
Assist building inspectors in the field where complex accessibility compliance issues or
engineering problems are encountered; interpret building construction plans; advise on
engineering matters and technical judgments; perform building inspections as needed.
Assist in the development and implementation of department goals and objectives.
Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs; prepares detailed
cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures.
Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned plan check and permit issuance staff.
May act as the Building Official in his or her absence.
OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
City of Arcadia
Senior Plans Examiner (Continued) Page 3 of 5
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, procedures, and terminology of structural engineering,
architecture, and building construction.
Means and methods of building erection of all types of construction.
Federal, state, and municipal codes and regulations governing housing, building
construction, rehabilitation, alterations, use, occupancy, and setbacks.
Accepted safety standards and methods used in building construction for
commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, including the
California Codes.
Research methods and sources of information related to building code
enforcement.
Proper plan check techniques to examine workmanship and materials and detect
deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.
Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring
Expertise in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California accessibility
requirements.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning,
assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work
procedures.
Skill to:
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Ability to:
City of Arcadia
Senior Plans Examiner (Continued) Page 4 of 5
Read, interpret, and explain complex building plans, engineering calculations,
site survey project specifications, blueprints, building construction plans, designs,
specifications, building codes, accessibility requirements, and reports.
Apply engineering and architectural principles and practices.
Read and accurately interpret building plans to ensure conformance with building
codes, development standards, and regulations.
Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to
changing situations and needs.
Make engineering and mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
Plan and organize work.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Work safely and efficiently.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with
those contacted in the course of work.
Deal tactfully and courteously with internal and external customers.
Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
Operate a computer and utilize a variety of software programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge,
skills, and abilities to perform the essential job duties of the position is qualifying. The
incumbent will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and
experience, as demonstrated in his/her past and current employment history. A
typical example includes:
Experience:
Four (4) years of professional experience as a Plans Examiner, including at
least one year of experience in plan checking related to disabled access
regulations
Training:
City of Arcadia
Senior Plans Examiner (Continued) Page 5 of 5
High School Diploma or G.E.D. (required).
An Associate’s degree in construction technology or engineering.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
Possess a Building Plans Examiner (B3) or California Building Plans Examiner (I6)
certificate from the International Code Council (I.C.C.) at the time of appointment and
maintained throughout the course of employment.
Certification as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is required at the time of
appointment and must be maintained through the course of employment.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Ability to work in a standard office environment including the ability to sit, stand,
walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, and climb; exposure to cold, heat,
noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, and electrical hazards; ability to
travel to different sites and locations.
Effective Date: September 2026