Building Inspector- Plumbing

Description

Under general supervision, to inspect the construction or alteration of buildings and structures and installation of equipment for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

The Department of Planning and Developing is seeking a dynamic and innovative Building Inspector. The Building Inspector will play a pivotal role in the inspection of buildings and structures to ensure that construction, alteration, or equipment installation conforms to applicable codes, ordinances, plans, specifications, and standards. Other essential functions of the building inspector include the inspection of structures to determine hazardous conditions, code violations, structural failures, or the need for maintenance or repair. The building inspector will also look for construction or alteration activity that is being performed without the benefit of permits and will verify that construction work is within the scope of the issued permit.

In addition to employment standards, candidates mustpossess in-depth knowledge and working experience in two or more of the following areas:

• Commercial plumbing

• Construction methods, practices and code requirements related to other trades, such as structural and mechanical

• Performing combination inspections on residential and light commercial projects, including structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, green building, energy, accessibility, and other applicable codes and regulations.

• Plumbing/mechanical plan review and inspections for industrial, commercial, and other non-residential and complex projects.

Typical Tasks

• Inspects buildings and structures to ensure that construction, alteration, or equipment installation conforms to applicable codes, ordinances, plans, specifications, and standards, including compliance issues such as State accessibility, energy, and seismic regulations;

• Inspects structures to determine hazardous conditions, code violations, structural failures, or need for maintenance or repair;

• Performs surveys of, but not limited to, the following: pool sites, fire damage, substandard housing, and unsafe structures;

• Looks for construction or alteration activity being performed without proper permits and verifies current permits are within the scope of work as permitted;

• Issues Stop Work Orders and correction notices regarding situations of deliberate or negligent noncompliance with State, local, and county building codes and ordinances;

• Provides information to builders and others regarding requirements of applicable codes and ordinances;

• Stays abreast of current codes and compliance issues (such as State accessibility, energy, and seismic regulations);

• Performs investigations of alleged building violations and substandard housing, determines nature and extent of any violations, provides general assistance to property owners or builders regarding action to correct violation and compiles case files, thorough reports, photos, and related documents;

• Reviews special inspection and engineering field reports and recommendations and ensures project compliance;

• Performs plan checks on swimming pools, minor construction, and trade-related projects;

• Issues permits and collects fees;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note:The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma;

and

Four (4) years of full-time journey level experience in the trade discipline (Carpentry, Electrical, or Plumbing) specified in the job posting;

or

Two (2) years of full-time experience performing building inspections for a public agency. The experience may be in any combination of trade disciplines (Carpentry, Electrical, or Plumbing).

Special Requirements

• Must obtain required certification per State of California Business and Professions Code within the second year of employment, and maintain certification throughout the term of employment. Maintenance of certification requires a minimum of 45 hours of continued education within each three-year period after original certification.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable codes, ordinances, and methods of construction and equipment installation applicable to the trade discipline specified in the job posting;

• Building materials, means of construction, and equipment installations;

• Inspection methods and legal procedures involved in the enforcement of building codes and ordinances;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret codes and ordinances;

• Read and interpret plans and specifications;

• Make inspections, enforce regulations, and detect deviations from approved plans and specifications;

• Deal tactfully and effectively with building contractors, trades workers, and the general public;

• Communicate effectively in, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, representatives of other agencies.