Building Inspector

General Description

The purpose of this job within the organization is to inspect buildings and structures for code compliance, the safety and integrity of the renovation of existing structures within the City of Charleston.

This job works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this job. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

Essential Functions:

Strives to be efficient and effective at balancing and meeting the common needs and reasonable expectations of core constituents .

Contributes towards the department's mission by continuously striving to meet expectations, strategic goals and objectives.

Performs all phases of inspections on new structures and the renovations of existing structures.

Inspects structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations.

Conducts plumbing and HVAC inspections.

Conducts electrical inspections and plan reviews as needed.

Issues permits and conducts city-wide checks to insure permits are obtained.

Answers telephone and responds to walk-in questions and code compliance complaints.

Monitors installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.

Measures dimensions and verifies level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.

Responds to emergency structure issues and concerns by being a part of the department's on call rotation.

Performs related work as assigned.

Responsibilities, Requirements and Impacts

Data Responsibility:

Data Responsibility refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations.

Gathers, organizes, analyzes, examines or evaluates data or information and may prescribe action based on these data or information.

People Responsibility:

People include co-workers, workers in other areas or agencies and the general public.

Provides information, guidance or assistance to people that directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.

Asset Responsibility:

Assets responsibility refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization.

Requires minimum responsibility for only small quantities of low cost items or supplies where opportunities for achieving economies or preventing loss are negligible.

Mathematical Requirements:

Mathematics requires the use of symbols, numbers and formulas to solve mathematical problems.

Uses addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.

Communications Requirements:

Communications involves the ability to read, write, and speak.

Reads technical instructions, procedures manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as assembly instruction for tools, routine office equipment operating instructions, and methods and procedures in drawing and layout work; composes routine reports and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with proper format; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Judgment Requirements:

Judgment requirements refer to the frequency and complexity of judgments and decisions given the stability of the work environments, the nature and type of guidance, and the breadth of impact of the judgments and decisions.

Responsible for long range goals, planning and methodologies. Decision-making is focus of the job, affecting entire organization and surrounding population; works in an unstable environment with frequent and significant changes in conditions.

Complexity of Work:

Complexity addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, concentration and creativity, required by the job and the presence of any unusual pressures present in the job.

Performs skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

Impact of Errors:

Impact of errors refers to consequences such as damage to equipment and property, loss of data, exposure of the organization to legal liability, and injury or death for individuals.

The impact of errors is moderately serious - affects work unit and may affect other units or citizens.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Equipment Usage:

Equipment usage involves responsibility for materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, and products.

Handles or uses tools, equipment or work aids involving some latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Unavoidable Hazards:

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to traffic; moving machinery.

Safety of Others:

Safety of others refers to the level of responsibility for the safety of others, either inherent in the job or to ensure the safety of the general public. (Does not include safety of subordinates).

Requires responsibility for the safety and health of others and for occasional enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent.

Requires some experience in construction and building inspection or closely related experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Must obtain within two (2) years of the hire date and maintain ICC certifications: Residential Building Inspector B1, Residential Mechanical Inspector M1, and Residential Plumbing Inspector P1.

Must obtain within four (4) years of the hire date and maintain ICC certifications: Residential Electrical Inspector E1, Commercial Building Inspector B2, Commercial Electrical Inspector E2, Commercial Mechanical Inspector M2, and Commercial Plumbing Inspector P2.

Driver's License

Core Competencies:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Accountability - takes responsibility for own actions.

- Adaptability - responds positively to change.

- Communications - listens, speaks and/or writes in a clear, concise and respectful manner.

- Customer Service - provides courteous, accessible and quality assistance to internal and external customers.

- Initiative - takes proactive action to complete work or resolve issues

- Judgment & Decision Making - evaluates issues and makes sound factual decisions.

- Professional Development - seeks opportunities to enhance technical skills and job knowledge.

- Teamwork & Cooperation - collaborates with others to fulfill the City's vision and achieve departmental goals and strategic objectives.

Additional Qualifications:

- Must have the ability to provide documentation verifying legal work status.

- Ability to read and speak the English language proficiently in order to communicate and interact with others; to understand and interpret safety instructions; and to respond to internal and external inquiries.

- Ability to understand and comply with City and departmental guidelines, policies, procedures and expectations.

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work that may be performed by an employee. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory or list of all of the duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Supervisors/Managers and/or Department Heads may also assign additional or other lawful duties as may be necessary and/or required. The City reserves the right to modify or change this job description at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without notice. This job description is not, and should not be construed or implied to be a contract, promise or guarantee of continued employment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Charleston, WV is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.

Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.