On-Call Building Inspector

Incumbents are responsible for and inspecting construction of new industrial, commercial, multifamily, and single family buildings, and remodel work to existing structures, to ensure compliance with approved plans, laws, codes, and regulations, thereby ensuring minimum standards for fire and life/safety codes, structural integrity, and public welfare.

Principal Accountabilities

• Inspect buildings and structures to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations relating to building construction, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, state energy code requirements, local zoning requirements, and job site erosion control.
• Investigate compliance complaints and, if necessary, mediate a resolution.

• Conducts site inspections of new and old commercial and residential buildings and structures to ensure compliance with approved plans and codes, notes violations. Approved plans will be reviewed, are posted on the construction site, and are reviewed by the inspector to see that they are properly implemented. Reinspects to ensure all noted violations have been corrected. The incumbent has the authority to stop work on a construction site if code violations are not corrected and makes the final approval of a structure prior to occupancy.
• Plans and schedules routes in order to ensure the most efficient use of time.
• Answers questions and provides technical advice related to building and structure code compliance.
• Investigates and responds to complaints regarding code compliance; informs individual making the complaint if a violation occurred and, if so, what corrective action has been taken.
• Logs daily inspections and prepares inspection reports.
• Reads special inspection reports for compliance and files reports.
• Inspects sites for grading and soil excavation or other land modifications. Makes a visual survey of the construction site to determine if a licensed survey is to be required for setback verification.
• Responds to public and contractor inquiries concerning interpretation of the National Electrical and related codes, construction problems, and City administrative procedures. This requires clear, concise, oral and written communication skills.
• Monitors construction to see that it is completed before occupancy of the building, the permit expires, or sees that the permit is renewed in a timely fashion.
• Maintains adequate records to assure proper documentation of inspections.
• Inspects nonstructural problems with building sites, such as surface water problems and inadequate access, and assures that they are corrected or referred to the appropriate City department.
• Position requires daily use of computer. Incumbent must have, or be able to learn, basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Performs daily inspections of vehicles to include checking tires and lights and determining if service is necessary.

• Attends staff meetings to discuss Building Department and City issues and to discuss changes in policy and codes.
• The incumbent is expected to perform as an emergency worker in the event of a disaster.

• Knowledge of local, state, and regional/international building codes.
• Considerable knowledge of the standards and practices of building construction, mechanical systems, plumbing systems.
• Maintains knowledge of the various changes in local, state, and regional/international building codes which are of technological changes in building materials and changing architectural philosophies. This will require attendance at college-level courses and/or trade seminars as they become available, provided they are necessary to achieve objectives.
• Knowledge of construction techniques and material.
• Must have or be able to learn basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Skill in reading and understanding blueprints and drawings.
• Skill in interpreting codes.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing tasks.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and diplomatic manner.
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with engineers, architects, coworkers, supervisor, the general public etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Must be able to navigate typical construction sites which involve walking, climbing ladders/scaffolding, crawling, and being exposed to inclement weather conditions.

Minimum Qualifications
Must have a high school diploma or GED and three years of construction or inspection experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Must have good oral and written communication skills.

Incumbents must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License and International Code Council (ICC) Commercial Building Inspector Certification within one year from date of hire. The ICC Commercial Mechanical Inspector and either the ICC Commercial Plumbing Inspector certification or the IAPMO UPC Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector certification must be obtained within two years from the date of hire.

Working Conditions
The position is driving to or being at construction sites a majority of the time. Potential hazards at construction sites might include falling objects, loose footing, and construction equipment. The position may be required to climb ladders, occasionally walk on scaffolding, crawl in crawl spaces, and be exposed to inclement weather and adverse conditions. The incumbent is expected to perform as an emergency worker in the event of a disaster.

• Positions in this class typically involve indoor and outdoor work in extreme variable temperature and atmospheric conditions. Duties may require extended periods of talking or listening, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, feeling, and seeing.
• Incumbents may be subjected to being around moving mechanical parts, vibration, fumes, odors, gasses, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, and travel.
• Work typically includes exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 35 pounds of force more frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.