Building Safety Inspector

SUMMARY:

Performs building inspections as requested by the Chief Building Inspector and investigates complaints and violations of zoning, building codes and other adopted ordinances as they pertain to property within the unincorporated areas of Benton County; maintains computerized files of violation cases; contacts violators and complainants under difficult circumstances; reads and interprets maps, property descriptions and construction plans; conducts site inspections on complaints received; drives to various locations within Benton County including remote locations; takes photographs and measurements; files criminal complaints in Court and appears as a witness for the State.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receive administrative direction from the Building Official.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspect residential and commercial property, grounds, building and dwellings to determine compliance with Benton County ordinances and codes ensuring that he/she complies with State laws pertaining right of entry and obtaining permission from owner and tenant to enter property and building for the purpose of compliance inspection.

• Review, process and investigate complaints of violations both anonymously and in writing.

• Maintain a database for logging received complaints and a computerized schedule for the initial investigation and for the follow-up compliance.

• Assist builders with and the general public in understanding and complying with applicable building codes and the County Zoning Ordinance, blue book regulations and division policies.

• Explain requirements of County ordinances and codes using issues of health, safety and general welfare of the community as guidelines.

• Answer public inquiries when necessary and conduct field investigations/ inspection as necessary.

• In some instances and after consulting the Chief Building Official and/or the Building Official may be required to issue warning notices and/or citation for prosecution purposes for the County Prosecutor; In those instance he/she may be required to testify in court proceedings on behalf of the County.

• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to the public, supervisors, and co-workers are also essential elements of this position. The employee deals courteously and diplomatically with the citizens, general public, contractors, and property owners.

• May be required to attend "after hours" meetings of an official nature that result from Code Compliance duties as well as schools, seminars and training as required

• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of:

• All aspects of community development and their relationship to building inspection; International Building Code and other applicable state and federal codes.

• Principles, practices and methods associated with developing building standards, plan check and building inspection.

• Engineering principles, concepts and procedures as applied to building inspection.

• Construction methods and materials.

• Budget preparation and administration.

• Principles of supervision, training and evaluation.

• Public contact skills.

Ability to:

• Read, understand and interpret construction blueprints, plans and specifications.

• Inspect and analyze standard building construction and to identify code violations.

• Solve complex building inspection and code-related problems.

• Work effectively with builders, contractors and the general public.

• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.

• Explain County practices and objectives to appropriate public and private agencies, organizations and individuals.

• Prepare analytical reports of a budgetary, technical and evaluative nature.

• Establish and maintain systems needed for control of work quality and quantity

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

• Stand, bend, sit, kneel, lift, reach and move about quickly and safely in construction projects and business office work locations.

• Pick-up, manipulate, move, raise and lower heavy materials, equipment, and supplies; to climb ladders and scaffolding; to climb onto, walk on and get off of roof structures; to get in and out of tight spaces within approved safety limitations.

• Get on and off, or in and out of County equipment; operate the full range of equipment that it typically required of the class without special aides.

• Read handwritten, typed or machine generated text, graphical and statistical material without aides other than eyeglasses and, or contact lenses.

• Absorb data, learn and apply procedures required to perform the full range of tasks required by typical duties of the class.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Education: Graduate from an accredited two-year college or university with a degree in a relative discipline or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Experience: Knowledge and understanding of construction principles, the building inspection process and general knowledge of building codes. (preferred) Individual must demonstrate the ability to efficiently use computer programs and software.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Arkansas State Driver's License and obtain a state certification as a residential and commercial building inspector based on the ICC Building Codes, within one (1) year of obtaining position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following list contains the essential function required of a person filling the Building Inspector position. This description is intended to describe the kinds of task and level of difficulty being performed by the person assigned to this classification:

• Must be able to operate and two-wheel and four wheel drive County vehicle in both day/night time conditions and all weather and road conditions

• Must be able and willing to work long hours, weekends, late nights and holidays when necessary.

• Must be able to squat, bend over at the waist, perform other physical movements necessary to traverse property, in wooded, grassy areas, non-paved roads, and undeveloped lands.

• Travel by foot across all types of terrain found in Benton County to access areas under construction in all outside weather conditions.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.