Building Inspector I/II

Building Inspector I/II

The City of Turlock is accepting applications for the Building Inspector I/II position. Depending on qualifications, applicants may be considered for either the Building Inspector I ($5,887 - $7,155 monthly) or Building Inspector II ($6,815 - $8,283 monthly).

Building Inspector I: Under immediate supervision, to inspect routine and complex structure and building systems at various stages of construction, alteration, and repair; to assist in the review of building plans and specifications; and to investigate and secure compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, codes, standards, plans and specifications. This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments. Distinguishing Characteristics This is the entry level in the professional Building Inspector series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks in the Building & Safety Division within the framework established by higher level employees fully utilizing existing skills required for the position. It is expected that the knowledge and skills of the incumbent will be enhanced through a comprehensive orientation program, which leads to performing increasingly responsible building inspection staff work with minimal direct supervision. Incumbents are eligible to promote to Building Inspector II after completing two years of experience with satisfactory or above performance in the Inspector I classification and possession of an ICBO certificate. Supervision Received and Exercised Immediate supervision is provided by the Chief Building Official or designee. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by higher level building inspections personnel.

Building Inspector II: Under general supervision, to inspect routine and complex structure and building systems at various stages of construction, alteration, and repair; to assist in the review of building plans and specifications; and to investigate and secure compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, codes, standards, plans and specifications. This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments. Distinguishing Characteristics This is the journey level class in the Building Inspector series. A Building Inspector II is expected to perform the entire range of moderately difficult inspections (building, electrical, fire, plumbing and mechanical) for a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial construction and be able to plan check most routine (non-structural) building systems. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Inspector I. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing the full range of duties requiring a complete knowledge of department policies and procedures and meet the qualification standards for the class. Supervision Received and Exercised General supervision is provided by the Chief Building Official or designee. The Building Inspector II may lead and train lower-level building division staff.

Essential Functions

Building Inspector I:

• Accept, review, and process a wide variety of permit applications relating to construction and development-related activities regulated by the City.
• Review site plans, architectural drawings, and structural calculations submitted with development permit applications to ensure completeness and conformance with the department's submittal requirements.
• Calculate and collect required mitigation and development fees for construction permit applications.
• Provide information at the public counter regarding the City's development regulations including occupancies, structures, fire life safety issues, accessibility, energy conservation and public improvements.
• Perform counter plan check of fences, walls, small room additions, patios, decks, garages, photovoltaic systems, and other small construction projects.
• Make field inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling to ensure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City, County, State and federal agencies.
• Check building plans for sufficiency and code compliance; route plans to other affected departments and distribute plan check submittals to builders/contractors for corrections.
• Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations, and many other complex and routine building system elements.
• Inspect stud, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.
• Examine grade, quality and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other city departments and public agencies.
• Assist in conducting investigations of zoning, land use and construction code enforcement and abatement issues.
• Determine compliance with California Building, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, California Electric Code, and pertinent provisions of state and County health and environmental ordinances.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and general public in the field and office to resolve complaints and answer questions regarding plan check correction lists, conditions of permit approvals, and use of alternative methods or materials.
• Maintain permit records and field notes as applicable and prepare reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Building Inspector II:

• Perform field inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City, County, state and federal agencies.
• Perform complex inspection duties in several trade specialties such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical, structural and finish trade areas.
• Check building plans for sufficiency and code compliance; route plans to other affected departments and distribute plan check submittal to builders/contractors for correction.
• Issue permits for work to be performed.
• Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, plumbing, heating and electrical installations, and many other complex and routine building system elements.
• Assist in the checking of building plans and perform field review of plans and specifications.
• Check stud, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.
• Examine grade, quality and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition including conducting research of new and/or alternative material reports from ICBO and other testing labs.
• Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments and public agencies.
• Assist in conducting investigations of zoning, land use and construction code enforcement and abatement issues.
• Determine compliance with California Building, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, California Electric Code, and pertinent provisions of state and County health and environmental ordinances.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the public in the field and office to resolve complaints and answer questions regarding plan check correction lists, conditions of permit approval, and use of alternative methods or materials.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Building Inspector I: Knowledge of:

• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
• Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, specifically, the California Building Code.
• Principles and techniques of building inspection work.
• Customer service principles, practices and techniques.

Ability to:

• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine work quality and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Learn to perform journey level inspection skills in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent and efficient work.
• Learn to enforce a variety of zoning, general land use and related City codes.
• Determine that construction systems conform to City Code requirements.
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
• Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted during the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Experience and Training Guidelines Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: Four (4) years of construction experience equivalent to journey level construction work in the building trades involving work done in conformance with standard building, electrical, mechanical systems and plumbing codes OR One year of inspection experience with a public agency similar to City of Turlock Building Inspector Trainee OR Completion of 30 college units with major course work in Building Inspection Technology, Construction Management, or a related field. Training: High school diploma, GED or equivalent, Certificates: Possession of a Building Inspector Certification issued by the