Chief Building Inspector

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you're searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

The Johnson County Kansas Planning, Housing and Community Development Department is recruiting for the position of Plans Examiner/Chief Building Inspector. The position will include plan reviews for all building projects and supervising inspections. The position will perform duties under the direction of the Johnson County Building Official. The candidate is expected to be knowledgeable about building plan review, inspection processes and administration and must be highly organized.

The first review of candidates will be on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

Essential Duties:

Performs comprehensive plan review with minimal or no supervision for all submitted commercial, industrial, and residential permit design documents to ensure compliance with adopted codes by Johnson County Government; reviews items such as: structural, non-structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, life safety, and energy code; performs plan review for compliance with Fire Code and standards in collaboration with three Johnson County Fire Districts; coordinates plan review and approvals with all other county, state, and federal departments for which approval is required as a precondition to issue a building permit; maintains and updates plan review records in electronic permit tracking system; communicates results and discrepancies with building permit applicant and/or design professional; collaborates with County Building Official to ensure appropriate interpretation of codes; attends meetings, seminars, and workshops and reviews related technical literature to maintain comprehensive knowledge of International codes and standards as adopted by Johnson County.
• Conducts thorough field inspections for commercial, industrial, and residential projects during construction periods; inspects for all aspects of building construction such as structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fuel gas, fire protection, and energy code for compliance with all adopted codes by Johnson County Government; evaluates and analyzes existing buildings on a compliance basis for life safety and hazardous conditions; initiates fire codes compliance remedy by cooperating with fire inspector, three Johnson County Fire Districts and County Building Official; inputs all inspection reports in the permit tracking system and sends copies to the appropriate contractor and building permit applicant.
• Meets with the design professionals, contractors, and homeowners prior to and during different phases of construction to clarify and ensure familiarity with adopted codes of Johnson County; responds to questions regarding adopted codes and provides resolutions to inquiries and concerns.
• Act as an on-call plan examiner to respond to phone calls and walk-ins on daily basis in regard to building permits and building code questions.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with co-workers, contractors, design professionals, public officials, and general public; communicates regularly with building official and field inspectors, fire districts, and planners for clarification and interpretation of the building codes issues; provides technical assistance to department staff and other departments regarding codes interpretation, permitting functions, inspection requirements and construction specifications.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction management.
• Five (5) years of experience in building and fire codes.
• Experience may substitute for degree. Education may be substituted for experience.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of experience in public service.
• Plan Examiner certification from ICC or legacy Model codes.
• Building Inspector certification from ICC or legacy Model codes.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• To be able to inspect construction site conditions
• Exposure to heights.
• Exposure to loud noises.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Kansas, with a driving record acceptable under Johnson County's applicable policies, and be able to operate a motor vehicle as required to perform the duties of the position.