Building Inspector

Building Inspector

Under general supervision of the Chief Building Inspector, the Building Inspector performs building inspections in residential and commercial field inspections for code and ordinance compliance and enforcement. The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions & Other Important Duties

• Performs on-site building inspections for safety, code, and ordinance compliance with building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, erosion, and sign code requirements.
• Reviews proposed building and plot plans for compliance with applicable building codes and ordinances.
• Provides technical assistance to building contractors, developers, and homeowners.
• Maintains inspection and code enforcement records and files and computer database.
• Researches, reviews, and interprets applicable building trade codes and ordinances.
• Assists in cross training building inspectors in trade codes and ordinances
• Monitors and enforces codes and ordinances related to life safety issues of the public.
• May be required to work some evenings, weekends or on assignment as needed.
• Travels to construction sites, meetings, conferences, and training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of commercial and residential building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and inspection health and safety rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of building construction material specifications and tolerances.
• Knowledge of building code enforcement practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of customer service practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of computers and related equipment, hardware, and software.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.
• Skill in providing technical code enforcement and building inspection assistance to builders, contractors, developers, and homeowners.
• Skill in recognizing substandard, faulty, or hazardous building conditions and materials.
• Skill in recommending alternative construction materials to meet building code compliance.
• Skill in interpreting and enforcing building codes and ordinances.
• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.

Education, Experience, and Certifications/Licenses:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D., and two (2) years journey level electrical or plumbing construction experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• International Code Council Model Code Certificate in one of the trades such as building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical preferred or must obtain International Code Council Inspector Certificate in one of the trades within six (6) months from entering the position.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, physical agility exam and MVR check.
• Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License.

Environmental Factors & Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in office and construction site environments.
• May be required to work in inclement weather.
• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul, or tug.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1 - expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures
• Visual Acuity 5 - close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work Environment:

• Work performed is primarily medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equipment and Tools Utilized:

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, copier, calculator, fax machine, other standard office equipment, trades testing equipment and department vehicles.