Construction Inspector I

Performs technical work in the inspection of private development construction and City-owned projects for compliance with plans, specifications, and standards; performs related work as required. 

Work is performed under the direct supervision of Construction Inspection Supervisor.

• Inspects and participates in the supervision of water, sewer, stormwater, street, resurfacing, sidewalk, and related construction projects of contractors for compliance with plans, specifications, and standards.
• Inspects material received by contractors at project site to ensure it meets the required specifications.
• Informs contractors and/or developers of deviations or errors and advises as to corrective action.
• Inspects street cuts made for various facilities.
• Inspects work in progress, maintains progress reports and verifies change order information, if necessary.
• Maintains inspection records, permits, plans and related documents on file.
• Ensures compliance with erosion and sediment control regulations.
• Takes samples of materials for testing of quality, deals with outside testing agencies.
• Conducts tests in the field and keeps records of tests.
• Receives, reviews, and approves pay requests from contractors, as necessary.
• Acts as project inspector of City projects.
• Conducts follow-up and final inspections and issues certificates of completion and compliance.
• Regular communication with supervisor and appropriate parties.
• Documents field conditions and notes as-built conditions on engineering drawings for in-house staff and outside engineers.
• Ensures that work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies.
• Provides on-call inspection for contracts involving after-hours emergency response.

• Formal Education
  • Associate Degree in civil engineering technology, construction management, or closely related field from an accredited institute or college, or experience equivalent.
• Must have a valid NC driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.  
• Must be able to apply principles of logical thinking to practical and technical problems encountered in the inspection and construction of water, sewer, highway, resurfacing, sidewalk, and related projects.
• Must be able to select the proper course of action from several alternatives to illicit compliance with the code(s) by property owners and parties in interest.
• Must be able to use arithmetic to calculate measurements, calculate area, determine costs, and apply mathematical formulas found in the code(s) or the construction standard(s).
• Must be able to read and comprehend construction plans and related Codes, Zoning Ordinances, City and State construction specifications, technical manuals, policy manuals, instructions, directions, reports, maps, and other documents relating to the job requirements.
• Must be able to write concise descriptions of deficiencies and findings of progress observed during inspection of projects, correspondence detailing the requirements of the code(s) and penalties for failure to comply, and technical reports associated with the job.
• Must be able to communicate ideas to other employees, property owners, workers, public, and have the ability to express ideas in technical and/or trade terms associated with building and construction.
• Must be able to remain polite and courteous while being firm in the enforcement of codes and ordinances.
• Must be able to interpret codes as they relate to engineering designs.
• Ability to communicate and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, citizens, City officials and coworkers.
• Ability to maintain accurate hardcopy and electronic records.

• Hearing/Speaking Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, citizens, and applicants.
• Visual Abilities; Acuity, far – clarity of vision at 20 feet or more.  Must be able to see from a distance when inspecting structures and for the safe operation of motor vehicles.  Acuity, near – clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.  Must be able to see reading material, forms, reports, etc.  Must be able to take readings from tape measure or test equipment.  Depth Perception - Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships.  Must be able to judge distances and perceive angles while performing inspections.
• Field of Vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point.  Must be able to see a wide span of area.
• Accommodation – Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly.  Necessary when looking at various infrastructure projects at varying distances.
• Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include:
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and/or
• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and
• Requires a significant amount of walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, crawling, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.  On occasions employee is required to maneuver over both even and extremely uneven terrain.  There is significant use of arms, hands, legs, and feet.  Physical demands are varied with work situations.
• Type of Physical Demands
• Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.  Necessary for the use hand tools required for making inspections and to reach building systems to assess their conditions.
• Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s).  Necessary in the operation of hand tools used in making inspections and the operation of office equipment.
• Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.  Necessary to hold pen or pencil to write, to dial telephone, to operate hand tools and to operate office equipment.

• Reasoning
  • Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to practical and technical problems encountered in the inspection and construction of water, sewer, highway, resurfacing, sidewalk, and related projects; ability to select proper course of action from several alternatives to illicit compliance with the code(s) by property owners and parties in interest.
• Mathematics Ability
  • Using arithmetic and/or Statistics: Ability to direct and oversee the use of arithmetic and/or statistics in the preparation of a variety of tests and reports. Ability to use mathematics in engineering calculations and estimates; ability to apply mathematical formulas found in the practice of engineering; ability to use arithmetic to determine costs; good math skills are essential.
• Language Ability
  • The ability to speak, read and write the English Language are required for this position. Ability to be conversant in voice and diction to convey ideas to other employees, governmental agencies, other professionals, legislative bodies, contractors, and the public; ability to express ideas in the technical and/or trade terms associated with the engineering profession.

• Physical Surroundings
• Employee will be working inside of buildings which are air conditioned and outside in all weather conditions.  When working outside employee may encounter wet, hot, or cold extremes.
• May have to go into unsanitary areas, areas with offensive odors, spaces where there may be temperature extremes, and into areas with extremely limited horizontal and vertical clearances.
• May be required to maneuver over uneven terrain.
• Hazards
• Employee will be exposed to trash, debris, insects, and vermin.
• Must negotiate uneven terrain.
• Exposure to dust, dirt, mud, and wet conditions.
• Must sometimes work in and around construction sites which are dangerous due to the stage of their construction.  Must sometimes work in areas where the only light source is from a flashlight.
• Work is subject to final standards of OSHA on bloodborne pathogens.

• Motor vehicle, desktop computer, laptop computer, iPad, drafting tools, writing instruments, hand tools, flashlight, testing devices, video and camera equipment, dictation devices, calculator, locater, cellphone, telephone, copy machine(s), printer, code books, technical manuals, Personnel Resolution, City Ordinances, and handheld two-way radio.