Senior Building Inspector

JOB SUMMARY Under the general direction of the Building Official, performs advanced and complex residential and commercial inspections and plan reviews to protect public health, safety, and welfare and to verify compliance with adopted building codes, City ordinances, and applicable state and federal requirements. Serves as a technical resource to inspection and permit staff, provides guidance on difficult code issues, and coordinates with applicants, design professionals, contractors, other City departments, and outside agencies. Work requires substantial independent judgment and field decision-making within established authority. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logically assigned to the position. Conducts and documents advanced residential and commercial inspections of new construction, alterations, repairs, and existing structures—including building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy, fuel gas, accessibility, fire/life-safety, and property-maintenance components—to identify unsafe or noncompliant conditions, protect public health and safety, and determine whether work may proceed. Reviews complex construction plans, specifications, engineering documents, calculations, and permit submittals to verify compliance with adopted requirements, identify deficiencies before construction, and provide clear written correction comments that support timely and consistent permitting decisions. Interprets and applies adopted building codes, zoning and sign regulations, local amendments, City ordinances, and applicable laws; issues inspection results, correction notices, and other authorized documentation; and performs follow-up inspections to obtain compliance and protect the community. Serves as a technical resource on difficult or unusual projects by advising inspectors and permit staff, resolving conflicting or ambiguous code issues within delegated authority, and escalating matters to the Building Official when necessary to promote consistent and defensible decisions. Trains, coaches, and mentors less-experienced inspectors and staff and may coordinate inspection and plan-review assignments or review work products to improve technical accuracy, consistency, and service delivery; does not exercise formal supervisory authority unless separately assigned. Assists permitting staff by answering customer questions about building permits, evaluating submittals for completeness, verifying required forms and supporting documents, and issuing permits within delegated authority to help applicants understand requirements and move complete, compliant projects through the permitting process. Coordinates with the City’s Fire Marshal during plan review and inspections to align building and fire/life-safety requirements, resolve overlapping code issues, and support consistent code compliance decisions. Coordinates plan reviews, inspections, and compliance matters with Planning, Engineering, Public Works, third-party service providers, utility or transportation agencies, and other jurisdictions to resolve overlapping requirements and prevent gaps or duplication in regulatory review. Maintains complete and accurate electronic and written records of plan reviews, inspections, permits, contacts, and enforcement activities and prepares operational, management, and City Council reports as requested to support legal documentation, workload tracking, transparency, and informed decision-making. Monitors changes in model codes, state and federal law, and local conditions; researches technical issues; recommends code amendments and procedural updates; and assists with departmental goals and priorities to keep City practices current, effective, and consistent. Provides technical information and staff support to boards, commissions, public meetings, and appeals proceedings as assigned to explain code requirements, document findings, and support fair and informed decisions. Operates a City vehicle and performs inspections using required safety practices, personal protective equipment, and situational awareness to reduce risk at active construction sites and other field locations. QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent. Three (3) years of municipal building-inspection experience or five (5) years of progressively responsible general-construction experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required job-related competencies may be considered, except where a license or certification is required by law. Licenses and Certifications: Valid State of Texas Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record, maintained throughout employment. Texas State Plumbing Inspector License, maintained throughout employment. ICC Residential Combination Inspector certification, maintained throughout employment. ICC Commercial Building Inspector certification is preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of: Adopted residential and commercial building codes, including building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy, fuel gas, accessibility, fire/life-safety, and property-maintenance requirements. Municipal ordinances, zoning and sign regulations, local code amendments, and applicable state and federal laws related to building construction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Construction methods, materials, systems, terminology, and accepted practices for residential and commercial structures. Principles and practices of complex plan review, field inspection, permitting, code interpretation, and compliance enforcement. Construction plans, specifications, engineering documents, calculations, surveys, and other technical submittals used to evaluate code compliance. Inspection documentation, records retention, report preparation, and evidentiary practices that support legally defensible enforcement actions. Occupational hazards, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment associated with active construction sites and field inspections. Customer service, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and effective communication practices for working with applicants, contractors, design professionals, coworkers, and members of the public. Skill in: Conducting thorough, consistent inspections and recognizing complex, concealed, or potentially unsafe construction conditions. Reading and evaluating plans, specifications, technical reports, engineering documents, sketches, and construction details. Preparing clear, accurate, and legally supportable inspection notes, correction notices, plan-review comments, correspondence, and reports. Explaining technical requirements in plain language and providing respectful customer service, including during disagreement or emotionally charged interactions. Training and coaching staff and providing constructive technical feedback. Organizing routes, assignments, records, deadlines, and competing priorities with strong attention to detail. Using permitting and inspection software, mobile devices, word processing, spreadsheets, email, standard office equipment, and assigned City vehicles. Ability to: Interpret and consistently apply complex codes, ordinances, plans, and technical information; recognize when an issue requires consultation or escalation. Exercise sound independent judgment, evaluate alternatives, and make timely decisions within delegated authority. Perform code-related mathematical calculations and verify information for accuracy. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people who have varying levels of technical knowledge and from diverse backgrounds. Establish and maintain effective, professional working relationships with the public, applicants, contractors, design professionals, coworkers, City leadership, vendors, and officials from other agencies. Work calmly and professionally under pressure; use tact, diplomacy, conflict-resolution, and de-escalation techniques. Work independently in office and field settings while coordinating effectively with a multidisciplinary team. Maintain reliable and predictable attendance and respond to time-sensitive inspection or safety needs as required by the position. PHYSICAL DEMANDS This position performs a combination of office and field-inspection work, with frequent assignments at active residential and commercial construction sites. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position and move about office and inspection locations; operate a motor vehicle, computer, mobile device, measuring tools, and standard inspection equipment; exchange and interpret information in person and through telephone, written, and electronic communication; and observe and evaluate construction details, plans, records, and warning signals. Field duties may require remaining in a stationary position or moving about inspection locations for extended periods; navigating uneven terrain, stairs, unfinished surfaces, confined spaces, and elevated areas; climbing ladders; stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, bending, or balancing; and moving tools, materials, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with team assistance or mechanical aids used when appropriate. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in both an office and field environment. Field work frequently occurs at active residential and commercial construction sites and may involve exposure to heat, cold, rain, dust, dirt, noise, vibration, fumes, electrical or mechanical hazards, open excavations, heights, confined spaces, traffic, and other construction-related hazards. Required protective equipment must be used. The employee may interact with upset or uncooperative individuals and must maintain professional conduct and situational awareness. #J-18808-Ljbffr