Senior Building Inspector

DEFINITION
 
Under direction, performs routine to complex plan review and inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial building sites to enforce building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and environmental codes; provides technical and functional direction to lower-level staff; conducts resale inspections; ensures conformance with approved plans, specifications, standards, permits, and licensing; provides a variety of information to property owners, developers, architects, engineers, and contractors; and performs related work as required
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 
Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to less experienced staff.   Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
 
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced-level classification in the Building Inspector series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform plan review and combination inspection activities. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to enforce compliance with regulatory codes, laws, and ordinances, and ensure conformance with approved plans, specifications, standards, permits, and licensing. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.  EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Provides technical  and  functional   direction  to  assigned   staff;  reviews  and   controls  quality  of   work; participates in performing complex building plan check and inspection duties.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns inspections in consultation with management staff; communicates status of inspections to appropriate staff, working cooperatively to schedule inspections in accordance with established priorities. 
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes, and regulations.
• Assists in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards including recommending improvements; assists in developing work plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Oversees   and  performs  field   inspections  of  new   and  existing  commercial,   industrial,  and  residential properties at  various   stages  of  construction,   alteration,  and  repair for conformance  to   codes, regulations,  plans,  specifications,  standards,   and  architect  and   engineering  drawings  related   to foundations,  framing,  electrical,   mechanical,  heating,  plumbing,   structure, finish,  and  a wide   variety of other routine to complex building system elements; inspects a variety of structural member factors; examines grade, quality, and treatment of a variety of materials; performs final inspections.
• Performs   non-structural  plan  checking   for  completeness,  accuracy,   and  code  compliance for  new construction,  alterations,   or  remodeling  of   existing  structures;  ensures   compliance  with  applicable codes and accepted engineering practices.
• Performs inspection of residential units at the time of resale to determine compliance with applicable codes and ordinances including the adopted housing codes, zoning ordinance, and energy regulations.
• Prepares and issues resale reports post inspection detailing existing deficiencies and violations; identifies code corrections when appropriate; performs re-inspections; validates and issues a resale certificate of occupancy as appropriate.
• Initiates minor field changes on contract projects not involving structural or architectural features.
• Investigates complaints regarding existing buildings or new construction to determine if code violations or problem conditions exist; writes “stop work” notices for work being done without permits or in an unsafe manner. 
• Consults with management regarding legal aspects of building inspection and other matters; attends code interpretation meetings.
• Confers with and provides information to developers, engineers, architects, property owners, contractors, and others regarding code requirements and alternatives; attends pre-construction meetings; resolves complaints and problems.
• Conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance; establishes and maintains accurate and complete case files; prepares documents and evidence for court proceedings; testifies in hearings and court proceedings, as necessary.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence, reports, correction notices, and other written materials.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
• Performs administrative tasks in support of division operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
 
Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and practices of leadership 
• Principles, practices, methods, materials, techniques, and safety standards of building construction, building inspection, and structural design for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
• Proper field inspection methods and procedures.
• Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life safety, energy, and related codes.
• Concepts and practices of non-structural plan review.
• Characteristics of common materials used in building construction. 
• Principles of trades areas as they relate to inspecting buildings and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.  
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures governing the construction of assigned projects.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of building inspection and construction.
• Mathematical principles including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

 
Ability to:
 

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.  
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction. 
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and departmental policies governing the construction and inspection of buildings.
• Review, understand, interpret, and analyze construction blueprints, plans, specifications, architect and engineering drawings, and maps for conformance with City standards and policies.
• Detect  faulty   materials  and  workmanship   and  identify measures needed to remedy them.
• Coordinate and deal with contractors, engineers, and property owners, as well as investigate building code violations and respond to inquiries and complaints in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Make accurate mathematic computations.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: 

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by construction code classes, such as uniform building, plumbing, mechanical, national electrical, and/or local municipal codes, or a related field.

 
Experience: 

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible building inspection experience including two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience.

 
Licenses and Certifications:
 

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months from date of appointment, valid International Code Council (I.C.C.) Commercial and Residential Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Inspector Certificates to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Building Plans Examiner Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
 
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
  
When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.  Climb ladders or scaffolding, ranging up to 50-60 feet, in order to access and walk on roof tops, walk on 6/12 pitched roof tops; access and enter cramped quarters such as crawl spaces located under buildings or spaces such as attic areas; walk over rough uneven or rocky surfaces, and to jump over trenches and other obstacles.   The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
 
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.   

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.



Recruitment Schedule:
Virtual interviews tentatively scheduled week of January 15th