Building Safety Specialist (1 or 2, DOQ)

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

Under general supervision from the Building Official, the Building Safety Specialist conducts inspections for building and fire permits and performs plan reviews for smaller building projects, in order to contribute to the safety of the built environment and reduce the effects of fire, flood and other disasters. 

Responsibilities include performing inspections of buildings and structures that are under construction and performing plans reviews of construction plans for compliance with applicable building and fire codes.  See Essential Functions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Positions within the Building Safety Specialist series move between levels I and II, based on minimum qualifications. See Qualifications section for specific details at each level.  Reaching the minimum qualifications for Level II makes the candidate eligible for consideration of promotion.  Promotion is approved by the direct supervisor based on eligibility, need for the position, and satisfactory personnel evaluations.

A Building Safety Specialist II is a journey-level position and is distinguished from a Building Safety Specialist I in that the former has more years of experience, has higher qualification requirements and is expected to perform inspections for all structural categories and complexities of the building codes.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

• Performs on-site inspections of buildings and structures under construction for compliance with adopted state and local codes.  Required to read and review building plans and construction documents.  Required to evaluate buildings and structures for structural soundness and compliance with requirements for fire and life safety, energy code, accessibility, energy, and other state and local adopted codes.
• Manage 3^rd Party Special Inspections for the projects that have issued permits to ensure they are being performed, and all required documentation is received from the agent.  
• Issues warnings or Stop Work Orders and/or initiates code enforcement where the health or safety of the public is at risk.  Manage Stop Work Orders through to their resolution. 
• Manage Temporary Certificates of Occupancy from their issuance through to their resolution at the approval of the final inspection of the project.
• Liaise with and provide guidance to builders, designers, architects, engineers, home owners and community members on code requirements, inspection corrections, plan submittal, code compliance, and other on-site and in-office interactions.
• Perform plan review of construction plans and documents on the smaller projects that are in the Fast Track queue, to assess the structural integrity, the fire and life safety of design, and compliance with local and state codes. 
• Take on office projects such as designing /updating customer handouts and office forms.
• Performs other duties as assigned which are related to the position within the Building Department.

LEVEL 1:

REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma or GED
• No experience required.

PREFERRED:

• Associate degree in construction management, or other similar field.
• International Code Council (ICC)  certifications for Building Inspector and/or Plans Examiner
• Professional and practical experience in construction or the building inspection field.

NOTE:  International Code Council (ICC) Certification for Residential Building Inspector within one year of hire. 




LEVEL 2:

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

• Valid WA State Driver’s License and maintain insurability under the County’s vehicle insurance policy including having/providing an acceptable driving abstract.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed both indoors in an office environment; and outdoors, at construction sites, which may be at  various temperatures and exposure to sun, precipitation, wind, and/or snow. 
• Occasional travel for offsite meetings and for overnight training purposes. 
• Regular exposure to potentially hazardous materials and environments, such as construction sites.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit, walk, and stand.?
• Regularly required to crawl into small spaces such as attics and crawlspaces.
• Utilizes computers and hand-held devices for prolonged periods of time to complete work tasks. 
• Regularly communicates in person, by phone, and in writing with staff, the public, businesses, and partner agencies. 
• Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds frequently in order to lift, carry, pull, or move objects. 
• May use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid or limit chemical and physical hazard exposure. 
• Must have sufficient vision, with or without corrective lenses, to inspect construction sites and equipment.