Building Inspector

JOB SUMMARY:

To perform standard and complex inspections of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings and other structures being constructed, altered, or repaired for conformance with plans, building codes, and ordinances; to interpret and enforce building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and energy codes; to review building plans and specifications for proper design and code conformance; to ensure compliance with housing, zoning, environmental and general land use standards at final inspection.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Employees in this classification receive limited supervision within a framework of standard policies and procedures. This job class functions at a full journey level of classification and requires a thorough knowledge of current Federal, State, County and City laws, codes and ordinances related to building construction and structural requirements.

Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Inspects commercial, industrial, and residential buildings and structures in various stages of construction/alteration for compliance with approved plans and building codes, laws, and ordinances

Enforces building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes; ensures proper quality materials are being used and ensures the correction of defects

Reviews building and construction plans for proper design and compliance with applicable ordinances

Inspects framing, foundations, electrical, mechanical and plumbing installations on new construction and alterations

Provides technical information regarding codes and compliance methods to contractors, developers, architects, engineers, other City staff, and the general public

Approves and certifies final inspections

Investigates complaints and alleged violations of building codes; issues notices of non-compliance with safe-structural requirements and applicable ordinances; performs associated duties for thorough investigations as outlined in the Code Enforcement Officers job description

Advises and assists the public with the preparation and filing of permits; approves and issues building permits

Performs other duties as needed to ensure the smooth operation of the office including answering phones, scheduling inspections, retrieving data in files/computer and compiling, routing and filing of building plans or other related construction documents

Establishes and maintains good public relations with contractors, representatives of other agencies, and others concerned with construction projects

Works safely and abides by established safety rules

Effectively and tactfully communicates in both oral and written forms

Uses a telephone and communicates via radio

Responds to radio dispatch or pager signals

Works outdoors four to six hours per day exposed to inclement weather, dust and construction site hazards

Works indoors in an office environment

Climbs ladders to inspect roofs; crawls under houses; reaches above and below shoulder level; grasps with right and left hands; walks on uneven surfaces; lifts 40 lbs.

Drives an automobile

Maintains accurate records and prepares reports related to assignments

Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required

Coordinates inspection activities with other departments to ensure compliance with all regulations including conditions of approval from other City Departments

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Federal, State County, and City laws, codes, and ordinances relating to building construction and structural requirements enforceable by the City

types of building materials and variations and their quality

modern methods of building construction

acceptable health and safety standards in building construction

principles and techniques of building inspection

Ability to:

interpret and enforce provisions of all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes, ordinances, and regulations enforceable by the City, related to development

apply technical knowledge of building trades work

use sound inspection methods to examine workmanship and materials, and to detect deviations from plans, specifications, and standard installation practices

read and interpret plans, diagrams, and specifications

review and check plans for conformance with codes and ordinances

make arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately

effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms

establish and maintain records, use computer for data entry and prepare reports related to assignment

establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties

enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact

work independently without supervision

speak English; bilingual Spanish skills highly desirable

Typical Qualifications

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is:

High School diploma or equivalent to completion of twelfth grade, and

Three (3) years of journey level experience in construction and building trades work, or

one (1) year of responsible experience performing duties comparable to those of a Building Inspector for the City of Watsonville.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a safe driving record

Possession of a Building Inspectors Certification issued by the International Conference of Building Officials or ability to obtain the Certification within one year after hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Crawl under houses

Reach above, at, and below shoulder level

Grasp with right and left hands

Work indoors in an office environment

Work outdoors and exposed to inclement weather, dust, and construction site hazards

Use a telephone and communicate via radio

Prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping and reaching in the performance of daily activities

Work on slippery and/or uneven surfaces

Repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard

Acute near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and in the performance of daily duties

Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service

Work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold

Drive a vehicle, climb into and out of appropriate vehicles; and up and down of stairs and ladders

Intermittently bend and twist to reach equipment surrounding work area

Supplemental Information

The candidate will be appointed for a 9-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list that normally remains effective for one year.

The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Prior to appointment to the position of Building Inspector, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.

NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.