The City of La Crosse is seeking to hire a full-time Building/Housing Inspector to become an essential member of the Community Risk Management team. The purpose of this position is to provide professional construction and property maintenance inspection services to community stakeholders. Incumbent will be responsible for inspecting building construction for compliance, issuing permit/maintenance orders, reviewing permit applications, and building construction project specifications, responding to service requests/complaints, enforcing ordinances and issuing citations.
Starting wage for this non-exempt position ranges from $30.94 - $35.43 per hour depending on qualifications (75 hours bi-weekly). Schedule for this position can be flexible within the core hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Requirements: Vocational/technical diploma in construction trade or related field with five years skilled construction or construction management experience in residential, commercial, or industrial; or any combination of education and experience which provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. Valid motor vehicle operator’s license required. The following valid State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division Inspector Certifications are required within six months of appointment: Commercial Building Inspector Certification, UDC Construction Inspector Certification and UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification.
Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical insurance, voluntary dental and vision plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, flexible spending account, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a variety of wellness initiatives. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.9% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn sick days and vacation time available as of date of hire.
Selected candidate is subject to background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen. Applications accepted until the position has been filled. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.
Purpose of Position
The purpose of this position is to provide professional construction and property maintenance inspection services to community stakeholders. The work is performed under the direction of the Chief Inspector.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Issues permits and maintenance orders and records compliance and daily activities on a computer software permit and service request/complaint tracking system.
Inspects building construction for compliance. Approves properly completed work.
Issues permits for building construction, remodeling and rehabilitation. Reviews permit applications and building construction project plans/specifications for code compliance. Procures and evaluates electronic data/information.
Inspects erosion control projects for compliance with standards and effectiveness.
Issues land disturbance permits.
Determines zoning, flood plain elevations and other matters regarding building projects and land use. Prepares letters of denial for zoning appeal hearings.
Responds to service requests, complaints and referrals regarding building conditions, property exteriors, blight, nuisances, refuse and waste problems, and building, zoning and other ordinance violations.
Inspects structures for habitability and life/safety code violations.
Prepares and records verbal and written communication records of inspections, observations and enforcement actions.
Organizes and works with various city, county, health, fire, medical and legal departments regarding building construction and maintenance inspection issues.
Interprets, implements and enforces ordinances and codes. Provides information to the public and others regarding housing and building code standards and requirements.
Refers regulation inquiries, comments and complaints to appropriate agency.
Maintains knowledge of inspection techniques, applicable codes/standards, enforcement techniques and other inspectors' duties and responsibilities.
Issues citations and assists the City Attorney with prosecution.
Condemns and assists other inspectors in condemning properties as required.
Maintains regular predictable onsite attendance.
Additional Tasks and Responsibilities
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.
Answers telephone calls and relays messages. Operates a portable telephone and/or radio.
Faxes information. Photocopies materials. Sends and receives electronic mail. Uses the internet to check information.
Takes digital photos and uploads photos into computer network.
Provides inspection/enforcement information.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Vocational/technical diploma in construction trade or related field with five years skilled construction or construction management experience in residential, commercial or industrial; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. Valid motor vehicle operator's license required. The following valid State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division Inspector Certifications are required within six months of appointment: Commercial Building Inspector Certification, UDC Construction Inspector Certification and UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification preferred.
Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.
Ability to persuade, convince, and/or train others. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as building plans, permit reports, inspection reports, violation citations, permit applications, code manuals, zoning codes, maps, technical operating manuals, statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with permit applicants, real estate brokers, contractors, attorneys, property owners, skilled building trades persons and inspectors, and the general public.
Mathematical Ability
Ability to calculate percentages, fractions, decimals, volumes, ratios, present values and spatial relationships. Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply functional reasoning in synthesizing information and functions, and ability to influence others in activities such as leading, controlling and supervising.
Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria that are clearly measurable.
Physical Requirements
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as motor vehicle, tape measure, level, architect/engineer's scale, computer terminal, telephone, calculator, photocopier and telephone.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring moderate skill, such as measuring.
Ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work under often unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, wetness, machinery, electrical currents, traffic hazards, disease and/or dust can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.
The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.