Building Inspector

Building Inspector

Under direction from the Chief Building Official, performs inspections based on the City's building codes to ensure project is built to plan specifications and follows all applicable state and local ordinances. Responsible for the inspection of all commercial and residential construction activity as well as the issuance of stop work orders for work without permits, and other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

The Building Inspector role may perform some or all of the following duties, including additional duties as assigned.

General Duties

• Reviews construction plans to ensure that all aspects of proposed projects follow applicable City codes and ordinances. Provides technical advice and assistance to the development community and members of the public in the application of adopted codes and ordinances.
• Relays non-conformities to contractors and follows up to ensure construction problems are rectified.
• Answers inquiries from the public regarding construction compliance; meets with the public concerning any problems and reports results to superiors; liaison between the City and the building community.
• Interprets and enforces plumbing, electrical, mechanical, building and fire codes, and dangerous building ordinances.
• Performs inspections of new construction, remodels, and repairs to ensure compliance with building codes. Assists Health/Code Compliance inspectors when needed and inspects dangerous buildings for code compliance.
• Organizes inspection route based on the day's inspections to ensure daily inspections workload is completed. Remains flexible for same day inspections as well.
• Identifies and prioritizes tasks and acts independently in performance of duties.
• Conducting daily inspections of permitted commercial and residential building work; includes prioritizing inspections depending on location and time needed.
• Inputting inspection results into computer software with comments.
• Communicates code knowledge to contractors and to the public on the phone or in-person.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, up to and including office work, and helping at the building inspections counter when needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• AND
• Two (2) to four (4) years of related experience
• OR
• Associate's degree or Technical School in a related field, and two (2) to three (3) years of related building inspection experience
• OR
• Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and City laws, codes and ordinances
• Knowledge of International Code Council building codes for commercial buildings, one- and two – family dwellings, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, existing building, fire, ADA, and the National Electric Code.
• Knowledge of construction Material and equipment.
• Skilled in methods, practices, and techniques of construction.
• Ability to effectively apply knowledge of codes and ordinances to construction projects.
• Ability to read construction plans and specifications
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Valid Driver's License Must complete required NIMS level training within the first six months of hire. I.C.C. Certifications (International Code Council) preferred or within 12 months of being hired

Work Environment:

The incumbent is frequently required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms, and lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like. Working conditions range from office conditions to moderately loud construction conditions in the field. Requires good close and depth perception, mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, complex thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

The City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.