Building Services Official (Multi-Trades Inspector)

Salary : $51,355.24 - $98,104.45 Annually
Location : Newton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02308
Department: Utilities and Engineering
Opening Date: 04/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start - benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description
Catawba County Utilities & Engineering is seeking qualified and motivated professionals to join our Building Services team. This position performs field inspections and/or plan reviews to ensure compliance with the North Carolina State Building Codes. Candidates will be considered for the Building Services Official level that best aligns with their certifications, experience, and capabilities.
We're looking for individuals committed to public safety, strong customer service, and professional collaboration with the building community to support quality development throughout the county.

Salary/Compensation Information:

• Salary is negotiable, dependent on NC Inspection certificates held, as well as education and experience.

• Building Services Official I: $51,355.24
• Building Services Official II: $53,922.88 - $88,972.76
• Building Services Official III: $59,457.24 - $98,104.55

• Excellent incentive plan provided at various intervals for earning certificates.
• Take-home truck assigned to each official, if residing within 40 miles of the county line.
• Ample clothing reimbursement program.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled field inspections or review construction documents to ensure compliance with current North Carolina Building Codes and General Statutes
• Provide notification to the Permit Center for approved utility connections
• Coordinate with contractors, designers, and other professionals on code requirements and revisions, if assigned to plan review
• Enter field inspection results or plan review results into permitting software (Smartgov)
• Provide technical guidance and code interpretation to customers and colleagues
• Attend standard code classes, pass the class exam and the state exam to increase knowledge of codes and certification levels, and complete the annual continuing education required by the NC Code Qualification Board
• Conduct special event inspections and safety inspections as needed and assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of experience in inspections work in building construction, electrical, plumbing, and/or heating trades; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or inspection certifications/trade licenses

Special Requirements:

• Building Services Official I - Possession of Level I Standard Certificates issued by the NC Department of Insurance in four trade areas (building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing); OR
• Building Services Official II - Possession of Level II Standard Certificates issued by the NC Department of Insurance in four trade areas; OR
• Building Services Official III - Possession of Level III Standard Certificates issued by the NC Department of Insurance in four trade areas; Fire Code certification may be obtained.

Note: Candidates without the required certifications must be pre-qualified by the NC Department of Insurance as eligible for a probationary comparisons certificate in order to be hired, and within THREE years of employment, attain the Standard Level I Certificates in all four trades.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to deal tactfully with the public
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards to a variety of work situations
• Ability to read plans and specifications for all structures governed by building code
• This position requires the physical ability to stoop, climb, crawl, and regularly lift up to 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift up to 100 pounds. Must be in good physical condition.

Preferences:

• Standard Level III NC Inspection Certificates in Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing
• General contractors license or plumbing, mechanical, or electrical trade license
• Prefer candidates with a strong background in multi-trade inspections and/or commercial plan review environment

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee's annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

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Check below to indicate what certifications or licenses you possess.(Check all that apply)

• Building Standard Level I NC Inspection Certification
• Building Standard Level II NC Inspection Certification
• Building Standard Level III NC Inspection Certification
• Electrical Standard Level I NC Inspection Certification
• Electrical Standard Level II NC Inspection Certification
• Electrical Standard Level III NC Inspection Certification
• Mechanical Standard Level I NC Inspection Certification
• Mechanical Standard Level II NC Inspection Certification
• Mechanical Standard Level III NC Inspection Certification
• Plumbing Standard Level I NC Inspection Certification
• Plumbing Standard Level II NC Inspection Certification
• Plumbing Standard Level III NC Inspection Certification
• General Contractors license
• Plumbing trade license
• Mechanical trade license
• Electrical trade license
• NC Inspection Certificate, Standard Level III in Fire
• None of the above

Required Question