Building Inspector I

General Statement of Duties

Performs inspections work of building and property within the County to ensure compliance with state codes and local ordinances.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class inspects construction work in process to enforce State codes for building construction including the four trades areas of building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes. Work involves performing skilled inspections to determine the quality of workmanship, materials, and safety precautions; requires exercising judgment in interpreting state codes. Technical judgment is required to interpret provisions of the codes as applied to practical construction projects and circumstances. Inspections may require some physical effort and are performed under hazards present in dealing with construction work in progress. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and extremely hot and cold temperatures.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Reviews site plans, blue prints, and specifications and receives applications for permits; issues building permits.
• Inspects building construction for compliance with building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes.
• Advises contractors in interpreting and applying code regulations.
• Notifies responsible parties of defects and re-inspects to determine if corrective actions have been taken; issues stop orders if necessary.
• Maintains records of inspections and prepares necessary reports.
• Communicates with citizens concerning code requirements.
• Additional Job Duties
• May be required to testify in court against violations of the state building code.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of State building and related codes, and local ordinances
• Knowledge in reading and interpreting plans, specifications and blueprints accurately and to compare them with construction in process
• Knowledge in the use of permitting and mobile inspection software
• Knowledge in preparing correspondence, documents and reports; thorough knowledge in the use of standard office equipment and associated software
• Knowledge in the use of equipment associated with the position
• Skills to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Skills to make arithmetic computations; ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages
• Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records Ability to enforce ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, business owners, builders, engineers, architects, elected officials and the general public.

Minimum Requirements and Experience

• Graduation from high school supplemented by trade school course work in building construction trades and considerable experience in construction trades work.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prefer some experience in the enforcement of state and local codes.
• Prefer possession of commercial contractor's license in one trade area.
• Successful pre-employment drug screen.
• Successful criminal Background check.
• Valid state driver’s license.

Physical Demands

The ability to perform all duties associated with the position including, but not limited to lifting, prolonged standing, driving, sitting, bending, stooping, and operating or performing work with associated tools and machines.

Special Requirements

Building Inspector employees are required to pass and maintain standard state certification as a Building Inspector in building, plumbing, heating, electrical, and fire prevention at standard Level I within two years of employment.

Any loss of certification may result in an appropriate reduction in pay and classification or may affect employment status, at the discretion of the County Manager.