Building Code Professional, City of Allentown

Pennboc; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennboc is seeking a Building Code Professional to oversee inspections and ensure compliance with regulations in Allentown, PA. You will review plans and enforce building codes for residential and commercial structures.

The role requires relevant certifications and at least five years of experience in the building industry. Strong customer service and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Valid PA Driver’s License required.
• 5+ years of experience in building and plumbing trades required.
• Must have ability to obtain and maintain electrical services license.

Responsibilities

• Inspect buildings for compliance with codes.
• Review and approve construction drawings.
• Maintain inspection records and reports.

Skills

Knowledge of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems

Customer service skills

Ability to prepare reports

Ability to climb ladders and stairs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code certifications

Job description

Building Code Professional, City of Allentown

Class Title: Building Code Professional
Grade Letter Number: 22M
Department: Community & Economic Development
Bureau: Building Standards & Safety
Union: SEIU

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the direction of the Building Official, inspects buildings and reviews plans for compliance with uniform electrical, plumbing, mechanical, accessibility and building/fire codes; according to the level of certifications held or obtained during the course of their employment with the city.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the Building & Construction Superintendent.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise supervision over no one.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspects and enforces construction for structural, fire, and health safety as well as building electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and energy system requirements of adopted codes, ordinances or standards as applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings.
• Reviews and approves drawings for proposed structures and building construction in accordance with the national and local building codes and City of Allentown ordinances.
• Advises staff, contractors, architects and individual property owners with code information in fields of expertise. Enforces violations of the code, including attending court as needed to follow through with enforcement actions.
• Prepares and maintains required inspection records and reports.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for assistance from the public regarding hazards, illegal construction activity, code compliance inquiries and safety concerns.
• Attends training seminars to enhance professional job knowledge and skills and maintains certifications.
• Responsible for assigned vehicle, reporting maintenance issues to supervisor.
• Performs various office duties as required, including answering telephone, typing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, entering data into the computer, scheduling, etc.
• Is part of an emergency on-call rotation schedule.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent required along with continuing education in the building trades, building materials, construction plans and the plumbing field. Must have five (5) years of experience in the building and plumbing trades or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Must possess valid Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code certifications as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Accessibility, and Energy Inspector or certification as required to meet requirements of Combination Inspector class. Must be verified, accepted and maintained through PA Labor & Industry. Throughout course of employment, must maintain ability to cut-in electrical services.
• Must have ability to obtain and maintain license to cut-in electrical services.
• Must meet training, certification, licensing and continuing education requirements as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and International Code Council for the following trades:

• Building Code Professional (A) Step D – shall possess the following certifications: All residential inspector certifications (B1,E1,M1,P1,79) & property maintenance(64) or equivalent (commercial/residential combination).
• Building Code Professional (A) Step E – shall possess the following certifications: All commercial inspector certifications (excluding commercial electric) (can also perform residential inspections excluding electric) (B2,M2,P2,77or CE,21) & property maintenance(64).
• Building Code Professional (A) Step F-G – shall possess the following certifications: All certifications required in previous steps with additional certifications not listed in steps D and E but excludes certs that are needed in BCP level 2 step D.
• Building Code Professional (B) Step D – shall possess the following certifications: All commercial inspector certifications (can also perform residential inspections including residential electric), (excluding commercial electric) (B2,E1,M2,P2,77 or CE,21) & property maintenance(64).
• Building Code Professional (B) Step E – All commercial inspector certifications and electric plan examiner certification (can also perform residential inspections) (B2,E2,E3,M2,P2,(77,78 or CE),R3,21) & property maintenance(64) – OR – Building Code Professional (B) Step F-G – shall possess the following certifications: All certifications required in previous levels and steps with additional certifications not listed in steps D and E but excludes certs that are needed in BCP level 3 step D.
• Building Code Professional (C) Step G – shall possess the following certifications: All residential/commercial inspector/plan examiner certifications, including fire 1,2, and plans examiner, MCP designation, and BCO. (B1,B2,B3,R3,E1,E2,E3,M1,M2,M3,P1,P2,P3,(77,78 or CE),79,21,66,67,F3) & property maintenance(64).

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of City ordinances relating to building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems.
• Ability to work on construction sites and climb ladders and stairs.
• Good knowledge of possible defects and faults in plumbing or mechanical systems, connections, fixtures and appliances and of standard testing devices and effective corrective measures.
• Good knowledge of the methods and practices involved in construction, installing, maintaining and operating a variety of plumbing and mechanical installations, equipment and appliances.
• Working knowledge of possible defects, faults and corrective actions in electrical wiring and appliance installations and of National Electrical Code Standard for residential and commercial installations.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public and establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, other employees and the public.
• Successful customer service experience and a proven ability to deal with the public is essential.
• Ability to respond to complaints received by various departments and/or agencies.
• Ability to consult with building owners, contractors, plumbers, mechanics, electricians and others to effect and maintain satisfactory working relationships on inspections and regulatory matters.
• Ability to understand and work from construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical plans, blue prints, drawings and diagrams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to perform on-site field inspections including exertion of a moderate amount of physical effort to stoop, crouch, climb and lift in the performance of duties. Must be able to perceive color, shapes and forms, and operate a motor vehicle. Requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as data entry and/or the use of general office machinery.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.