Building Inspector I/II/Senior

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate experience as a building inspector performing work within one or more inspection disciplines in a municipal agency as a consultant or municipal employee. 

DEFINITION:  The Building Inspector I/II/Senior reviews plans and inspects commercial and residential building projects, and enforces a variety of codes, ordinances, and established standards to achieve compliance with applicable electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, and dangerous housing/building codes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives general direction from the Building Official or his/her designee.  The Building Inspector II may oversee, monitor, and/or direct the work of lower level personnel. The Senior Building Inspector may oversee, monitor, direct, supervise, and/or evaluate the work of subordinate technical staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  The Building Inspector I is the entry level class of the technical/paraprofessional Building Inspector series.  Initially, under close supervision, the incumbent performs the more routine duties while learning City policies and procedures and becoming familiar with the variety of departmental systems and practices, and exercises less independent discretion and judgement in matters related to work procedures and methods.  As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision.  

The Building Inspector II is the experienced, journey level class in the series, fully qualified to exercise independent judgement to perform assigned duties.  This class is distinguished from the Building Inspector I by the relative independence with which they perform their duties of reviewing plans and inspecting commercial and residential building projects and enforcing a variety of codes, ordinances, and making sound recommendations based on inspection findings.  This class is distinguished from the Senior Building Inspector in that the latter serves as either the senior or advanced level specialist in the series.

The Building Inspector I is flexibly staffed with the Building Inspector II and advancement to the Building Inspector II shall occur after satisfactorily performing the duties of a Building Inspector I for two (2) years and upon recommendation from the department head.  Satisfactory performance means an overall satisfactory or higher rating on the performance evaluation during the last evaluation period.

The Senior Building Inspector is the lead or specialist level in the Building Inspector series.  In the lead assignment, incumbents provide direction to lower level staff including assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of staff.  In the specialist assignment, incumbents work on specialized projects containing a high number of complex and difficult tasks and assignments.   Positions at this level are distinguished from those in the lower level classification of Building Inspector I/II by the independence with which they perform their duties of handling the more difficult and complex work and performing lead work.

**Job Description pending Council approval**

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (Illustrative Only):  Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

Building Inspector I/II

• Inspects commercial and residential buildings and structures to determine compliance with the structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and housing codes and approved plans.
• Identifies and enforces a variety of codes, ordinances, and standards violations for conformance with plans and specifications.
• Inspects workmanship and materials in building construction plans for conformance with plans and specifications, and inspects potentially substandard or dangerous buildings.
• Works with diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents.
• Reads and interprets building construction and engineering plan specifications and codes.
• Prepares and maintains reports, letters, and correction notices on code violations and variations from approved plans.
• Enters required information into the database for tracking and accessibility.
• Confers with and assists architects, engineers, contractors, builders, homeowners, tenants, and the general public in the field and office regarding the interpretation of requirements and restrictions and keeps records and prepares reports as necessary.
• Identifies illegal construction activity and issues violation notices.

Senior Building Inspector:

• Assigns and monitors the work of lower level staff.
• Provides training to staff regarding building codes and other related requirements.
• Inspects commercial and residential buildings and structures to determine compliance with the fire, life safety, disabled access, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and International Property Maintenance code and approved plans.
• Identifies and enforces a variety of codes, ordinances, and standards violations for conformance with plans and specifications.
• Inspects workmanship and materials in building construction projects for conformance with plans and specifications, and inspects potentially substandard damaged, illegally constructed and poorly maintained dangerous buildings.
• Prepares and maintains reports, letters, and correction notices on code violations and variations from approved plans.
• Enters required information into the database for tracking and accessibility.
• Confers, collaborates and assists with architects, engineers, contractors, builders, homeowners, tenants, and the general public in the field and office regarding the interpretation of building code requirements and restrictions and keeps records and prepares reports as necessary.
• Identifies illegal construction activity and issues violation notices.
• May act as Building Official in his/her absence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:
 

Education:  High school diploma or equivalent.  AA/AS degree in Construction Technology, Architecture, or related field is highly desirable.

Experience:  Building Inspector I:  One (1) year of full-time experience as a building inspector performing work within one or more inspection disciplines in a municipal agency as a consultant or municipal employee.  

Building Inspector II:  Two (2) years as a Building Inspector I with the City of West Sacramento; OR three (3) years of experience as a building inspector performing work within one or more inspection disciplines in a municipal agency as a consultant or municipal employee.

Possession of all of the following certifications may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience requirement for: Residential Mechanical Inspector (M1), Residential Electrical Inspector (E1),  Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1).  Possession of all of the following certifications may be substituted for two (2) years of the experience requirement: Building Plans Examiner (B3), Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2/3), Commerical Electrical Inspector (E2/3), Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2/3).

Senior Building Inspector: Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Building Inspector II with the City of West Sacramento; OR four (4) years of full-time experience as a journey-level building inspector performing work with one or more inspection disciplines in another municipal, county, or city government agency.

Possession of all of the following certifications may be substituted for two (2) years of the experience requirement: Building Plans Examiner (B3), Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2/3), Commercial Electrical Inspector (E2/3), Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2/3).

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: All Levels: Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a California driver license by the time of appointment.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed in a case-by-case basis.

Building Inspector I: Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Residential Building Inspector (J1) or Residential Building Inspector (B1) certificate issued by the International Code Council (I.C.C.) within one (1) year of employment within classification.

Building Inspector II: Possession of a valid California Residential Building Inspector (J1) or Residential Building Inspector (B1) certificate issued by the International Code Council (I.C.C.) is required upon appointment. 

Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Commercial Building Inspector (J2) or Commercial Building Inspector (B2) certificate issued by the International Code Council (I.C.C.) within one (1) year of employment within classification.

Senior Building Inspector: Possession of a valid California Residential Building Inspector (J1) or Residential Building Inspector (B1) certificate issued by the International Code Council (I.C.C.) is required upon appointment.

Possession of a valid California Commercial Building Inspector (J2) or Commercial Building Inspector (B2) certificate issued by the International Code Council (I.C.C.) is required upon appointment.

At the option of the City, persons hired into this class may be required to either possess at entry or obtain within specified time limits, designated licenses, certificates or specialized education and training relevant to the area of assignment.  Additional requirements may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Certified Electrical Inspector
• Certified Plumbing Inspector
• Certified Mechanical Inspector
• Accessibility Specialist Certification (CASp)

WORKING CONDITIONS:  May be required to attend off-hour and/or off-site meetings.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Must possess mobility to work in a construction or field environment including exposure to loud noise, frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances; mobility to inspect various commercial and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs and other temporary or construction access points; mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to attend meetings and to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and make inspections; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Positions in this classification occasionally lift, move, and carry objects that typically weigh up to 50 pounds.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:  Employees generally work in a construction or field environment including inclement weather conditions and construction and traffic hazards.  Employees may also work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures.

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• City of West Sacramento

• 9166174567