Job Description
Department Engineering-Engineering Location City Service Center Salary $54,356.00 - $66,228.00 a year Open Date 05/22/2026 Description
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Plan Reviewer performs technical and professional reviews of private development plans, public improvement plans, plats, site civil plans, drainage reports, utility plans, traffic-related submittals, construction drawings, and related engineering documents for compliance with City of Huntsville Code of Ordinances, Engineering Design Criteria, Development Code, and applicable state and federal requirements. This position supports the City's development review process by coordinating with Engineering, Development Services, Planning, Building Inspections, Public Works, contractors, developers, design engineers, surveyors, utility providers, and the public. The Plan Reviewer is expected to provide timely, accurate, and customer-focused plan review comments while protecting public infrastructure, health, safety, drainage performance, utility capacity, and long-term municipal serviceability. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience reviewing, designing, inspecting, or managing municipal infrastructure or private development projects , including streets, drainage, water, wastewater, sidewalks, grading, site civil improvements, and public infrastructure extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or GED required. Associate degree or bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, engineering technology, planning, public administration, or a closely related field preferred. At least five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal infrastructure, civil engineering plan review, public works construction, land development, capital improvement projects, utility design, drainage design, construction inspection, or closely related municipal project work. Experience must include substantial involvement with municipal projects such as streets, drainage, water, wastewater, sidewalks, grading, public improvements, subdivision infrastructure, site civil improvements, or private development review. An equivalent combination of education, training, certifications, and experience may be considered, provided the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position. Preferred Qualifications Experience working for or with a Texas municipality, county, special district, engineering consultant serving municipal clients, or public works/development services department. Experience reviewing plans for private development projects, subdivisions, public improvements, drainage systems, water and wastewater utilities, roadway improvements, or site civil construction. Knowledge of Texas municipal development processes, platting, easements, public infrastructure acceptance, right-of-way permitting, and construction inspection coordination. Experience with GIS, digital permitting systems, electronic plan review, Bluebeam or similar PDF markup software, and municipal asset or project tracking systems. Licenses and Certifications Valid Texas Class C driver's license, or ability to obtain one within the timeframe established by City policy. Must maintain an acceptable driving record. Additional certifications may be required or preferred depending on final departmental needs, including Certified Floodplain Manager, Engineer-in-Training, Professional Engineer, ICC Plans Examiner, or related credentials. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Reviews plans, which include but not limited to streets, sidewalks, storm sewer, water distribution and wastewater collection system, grading, erosion control, plats, site plans, drainage studies, private utility plans, traffic control plans, floodplain-related submittals, easement documents, construction details, and related engineering reports for compliance with City standards, ordinances, design criteria, and approved development requirements. Prepares clear written review comments, redlines, correction letters, approval recommendations, and technical correspondence for applicants, engineers, developers, contractors, and internal departments. Coordinates development review comments with the Supervising Engineer, City Engineer, Development Services, Planning, Building Inspections, Public Works, GIS/Mapping, Surveying, Fire, Police and other departments as needed. Participate in pre-development meetings, development review meetings, project coordination meetings, and applicant meetings to explain City requirements, resolve technical issues, and support efficient project progression. Evaluates whether proposed improvements are consistent with City engineering specifications, construction standards, drainage requirements, floodplain requirements, utility service requirements, access requirements, and accepted engineering practices. Reviews, revisions and resubmittals to determine whether prior comments have been addressed and whether plans are ready for approval, conditional approval, or further correction. Assists with review of public improvement agreements, subdivision infrastructure, acceptance documents, as-built plans, record drawings, easements, and project closeout documentation. Provides technical support during construction by coordinating with inspectors, project managers, engineers, and contractors regarding approved plans, field conflicts, plan revisions, and infrastructure acceptance requirements. Research City records, plats, utility maps, GIS information, drainage patterns, easements, ordinances, prior approvals, and engineering files to support accurate plan review decisions. Applies and explains City codes, engineering design criteria, development standards, floodplain requirements, drainage requirements, right-of-way standards, and utility standards to applicants and the public. Assists in maintaining plan review procedures, checklists, standard comments, review templates, tracking logs, and digital records to improve consistency and turnaround times. Uses permitting, document management, GIS, spreadsheet, and digital plan review software to track submittals, review plans, record comments, maintain files, and communicate project status. Supports the Supervising Engineer in identifying needed updates to engineering standards, design criteria, checklists, development review procedures, and interdepartmental workflows. Provides professional, respectful, and solution-oriented customer service while ensuring compliance with City requirements and protecting municipal infrastructure. Performs field visits as needed to better understand existing conditions, drainage concerns, utility conflicts, right-of-way constraints, or construction-related plan issues. Assists with special projects, technical reports, infrastructure research, development-related inquiries, and other duties as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles related to streets, drainage, stormwater, water distribution, wastewater collection, grading, erosion control, sidewalks, rights-of-way, easements, and public infrastructure. Knowledge of development review processes, site civil plan review, subdivision infrastructure, construction plan requirements, and municipal project delivery. Ability to read and interpret civil engineering plans, plats, drainage reports, utility layouts, plan and profiles, construction details, specifications, survey information, and engineering calculations. Ability to interpret and apply municipal codes, engineering design criteria, standard specifications, construction standards, development regulations, and applicable state and federal requirements. Ability to prepare clear, concise, technically accurate review comments and communicate complex engineering requirements to applicants with varying levels of technical knowledge. Skill in coordinating multiple projects, managing deadlines, prioritizing plan reviews, and tracking project status in a fast-paced municipal environment. Skill in identifying design conflicts, constructability issues, utility conflicts, drainage concerns, right-of-way limitations, and compliance deficiencies. Ability to work collaboratively with engineers, developers, contractors, inspectors, planners, permit staff, public works staff, and the general public. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and make technically defensible recommendations under the supervision of the Supervising Engineer. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PDF markup tools, digital plan review software, permitting software, GIS viewers, spreadsheets, and general office technology. Physical Demands and Work Environment Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional field visits to construction sites, rights-of-way, drainage areas, utility locations, or development project sites. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, read plans and computer screens, operate standard office equipment, and communicate in person, by telephone, and electronically. Field work may involve exposure to weather, uneven terrain, traffic, construction activity, noise, dust, and other conditions typical of municipal infrastructure and development sites. Must be able to lift and carry plans, files, and materials up to 25 pounds as needed. Working Relationships This position reports directly to the Supervising Engineer and works closely with the City Engineer, Engineering staff, Development Services, Planning, Building Inspections, Public Works, GIS/Mapping, Surveying, Fire, contractors, design professionals, developers, utility providers, and the public. Success Factors Successful performance in this role requires strong technical judgment, attention to detail, timely plan review, clear communication, practical problem solving, customer service, and a strong understanding of how private development affects public infrastructure. The ideal candidate will balance development facilitation with the City's responsibility to protect public safety, infrastructure capacity, drainage systems, utility systems, and long-term maintenance interests. Exempt :
Yes Type :
FT Employee Department :
Engineering-Engineering Location :
2
