Commercial Building Inspector

Building Inspector

Under general supervision, ensures compliance with mandatory codes and regulations related to building construction to safeguard the general public. Reports to the Chief Inspector.

Examples of Duties

Communicates and interacts with County staff, contractors, and the general public; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationship with coworkers and those contacted in the course of a working day.

Communicates both orally and in writing; performs data entry, retrieval, and researching information using computer software.

Works both independently and collaboratively to resolve complex differences in interpretation of codes with the design professional, contractors, and the general public.

Reviews and interprets building and structural construction documents for accurate compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments consisting, but not limited to, architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural, and civil details normally found on submitted drawings for building permits.

Researches alternative products, materials and methods of construction submitted to the Building Department for accurate compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments before issuing building permits.

Advises basic inspection principle, practices, and procedures to less experienced colleagues.

Follows directions from supervisor; remains punctual; accepts criticism in the performance of other duties including but not limited to projects, attending meetings, and obtaining yearly continuing education hours required to maintain certifications as current.

Communicates with local utility providers to convey approval and satisfaction of work installed, altered, or repaired to any given structure.

Works independently in the field to make decisions using discretion, judgment, and code knowledge when inspecting multi-family dwellings, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings and residential structures during a variety of stages of construction.

Assures compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments during inspections at various stages of construction, alterations, and/or repairs to any given structure.

Differentiates deviations from the construction documents submitted for approval for a building permit; creates a report explaining such deviations along with any and all items not adhering to the International Commercial or Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Provides assistance to other Building Inspectors in areas of specialization or certifications along with a possible explanation of how to satisfy the requirements of the International Commercial or Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Assembles with design professionals, contractors, superintendents, and/or individual homeowner/builders on site; negotiates solutions on how to satisfy the requirements of the International Commercial or Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments in passive, respectful, and professional manner.

Mediates hostile situations when issuing verbal warnings or stop-work orders to structures not complying with County regulations or adhering to the International Commercial or Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Performs the duties subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, airborne particles, intense noises, and extreme temperatures.

Maintains vehicle.

Receives, reviews, prepares and processes various records and reports to include construction drawings, engineering documentation, technical data, diagrams, daily logs, utility transmittals, field documentation, etc.

Interacts and communicates with a variety of groups and individuals to include co-workers, immediate supervisor, other departmental personnel and supervisory staff, the County Administrator, permit customers, contractors, training instructors, architects, engineers, etc.

Operates and utilizes various office related machinery and equipment to include a computer, adding machine, printer, typewriter, calculator, fax machine, small hand tools, and a motor vehicle.

Additional Job Functions

Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent with vocational/technical school training in building construction, supplemented by a minimum of five years of experience in construction and/or codes enforcement, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess a valid state driver's license. Must possess certification as required by state law which may include building inspector, building plans examiner, residential electrical inspector, plumbing inspector, mechanical inspector, mechanical plans examiner, plumbing plans examiner, electrical plans examiner, chief electrical code analyst, chief building code analyst, chief plumbing code analyst, chief mechanical code analyst, code enforcement and administration professional.

Equal Opportunity Employer