About this role
Company Description
Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:
- Application Opening: October 21, 2026.
- Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than Wednesday, November 4, 2026 .
- Annual Salary Range: $154,726 - $188,110.
Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt ( PEX ), Category 18. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.
About us: The Department of Building Inspection ( DBI ) oversees the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of City building, housing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and disability access codes for San Francisco’s more than 200,000 buildings. This position is located at 49 South Van Ness, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Job Description
Job Description
Under direction, the Associate Civil Engineer performs structural and architectural review of building permit applications for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings and structures, both public and private. Work includes evaluating construction plans, calculations, specifications, and supporting documents for compliance with the San Francisco Building Code, relevant structural standards, and applicable laws and ordinances. The position requires explaining, interpreting, and enforcing code requirements; coordinating with property owners, contractors, design professionals, and other City agencies; and preparing technical correspondence and reports related to plan review activities.
Major, Important, and Essential Duties
- Reviews structural and architectural plans, calculations, and specifications for proposed construction or alterations to ensure compliance with the building code, structural design standards, and applicable regulations; identifies deficiencies and resolves routine plan review issues, referring complex matters when needed.
- Prepares clear and detailed written review comments, technical reports, and status updates; documents compliance findings; works with applicants, engineers, and other City agencies to facilitate timely permit processing and resolve plan review issues.
- Evaluates building permit applications and plans for accuracy and completeness; provides code interpretation and guidance to applicants; estimates project scope for fee determination; assists owners and design professionals in understanding applicable code requirements; approves plans and applications when they meet all relevant codes and standards.
- Reviews structural documents submitted in response to enforcement actions, including unpermitted work or violations; determines adequacy of corrective measures; prepares violation notices when necessary; may coordinate with inspection staff to ensure compliance after plan approval.
- Other duties as assigned.
Important and Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of engineering principles; familiar with wood, concrete, and steel design; seismic design requirements; and applicable building codes and standards.
- Knowledge of ASCE 41 and seismic evaluation/retrofit methodologies is desirable.
- Skill in reviewing and interpreting structural drawings, calculations, and construction documents.
- Ability to analyze structural systems for code compliance; communicate effectively with property owners, contractors, design professionals, and agency representatives; enforce codes and regulations; and prepare clear, concise technical reports and correspondence.
Qualifications
Experience and Training Guidelines:
- Three (3) years verifiable professional engineering (civil) work experience, which includes two (2) years experience equivalent to or higher than a 5203 Assistant Civil Engineer; AND
- Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.
License or Certificate:
- Requires possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.
- Possession of a valid driver's license.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification
All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Selection Process: Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.
Additional Information
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)
- Conviction History (http://sfdhr.org/conviction-history-faq)
- Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
- Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
- Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
- ADA Accommodation (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#applicantswithdisabilities)
- Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)
- Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)
- Copies of Application Documents (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#copies)
- Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.
HOW TO APPLY
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. No other methods of application will be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Upon successful submission, applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected]. Keep this email for your records. If you do not receive it, your application was not submitted successfully .
Recruitment Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst Jason Hammack via email at [email protected].
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.