Building Construction Specialist 1

State of Connecticut - Department of Housing; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut, Department of Housing, is seeking a Building Construction Specialist 1 to join the Architectural and Technical Services Unit. The role involves reviewing housing development documentation, construction plans, and daily site visits across the state, with travel and state vehicle operation requirements.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in building trades, plan review, and code compliance, plus the ability to communicate findings clearly to internal staff and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate with staff, agencies, and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Inspect construction phases for compliance with codes and plans.
• Review plans and shop drawings for conformance.
• Prepare technical field reports and assessments.
• Coordinate with applicants and inspectors on site visits.
• Assist with permits, certifications, and project budgets.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Ability to inspect and supervise

Computer software proficiency

Education

Architecture/Civil/Mechanical/Electrical engineering background

Tools

Computer software

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Housing, is now accepting applications for the role of Building Construction Specialist 1 within its Architectural and Technical Services Unit.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

POSITION DETAILS

• Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Monday-Friday
• Flexible work hours roughly starting at 8:00-8:30 AM and ending 4:30-5:00 PM depending on length of lunch.
• Our office location is 505 Hudson Street in Hartford
• Hybrid work opportunity

THE ROLE

The Building Construction Specialist 1 position will work with others in our small, cohesive unit to review housing development documentation, construction plans and schedule daily visits to monitor DOH project construction sites around the state. Driving and travel in Connecticut, nearly every day, is a job requirement as is the successful completion of a state driver training course to use state vehicles.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Inspects all phases of construction and building rehabilitation or improvements for compliance with building codes, departmental regulations and/or statutory requirements
• Reviews shop drawings and proposed changes to approved building plans
• Evaluates field work for adherence to contract documents and/or codes and national standards
• Determines necessity for specification and design changes and makes recommendations
• Evaluates site conditions for construction safety including observation of soil, rock, ledge, water and other local conditions
• Inspects methods and quality of workmanship including performance and observation of testing of construction materials
• Consults with in-house staff, other agencies, architects, engineers, construction personnel and local building code enforcement officials on problems encountered
• Prepares technical reports of field conditions
• Reviews and evaluates schedules of values and payments to contractors
• Provides technical advice to in-house staff and public or private organizations regarding building projects as required
• Prepares specifications and construction costs
• Serves as liaison with state and local housing officials
• Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with agency and industry requirements
• Reviews bids and quotes
• Conducts field visits of proposed projects with applicants
• Assists with technical feasibility determination
• Assists and coordinates with receipt of state permits and certifications related to construction projects
• Reviews payment applications for consistency with project budget and project progress
• Assists in preparation of proposals for professional services
• Assists in consultant and construction management duties for agency
• May testify at administrative hearings or in state and federal courts of law
• May assist in preparation and presentation of education programs mandated by statute to local code enforcement officials, state agencies and professional organizations
• May perform limited code compliance plan review
• Performs related duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of principles, methods, materials and equipment used in building design and construction
• Knowledge of
• and ability to interpret contracting, zoning and building codes and related regulations
• major trades areas relative to building construction and maintenance (e.g., plumbing, heating, electrical, structural)
• fire protection practices and procedures
• interpersonal skills
• oral and written communication skills
• Considerable ability to inspect and supervise construction work for compliance with plans and specifications
• Ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications
• utilize computer software

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience with construction projects involving all building trades (e.g., plumbing, heating, electrical) OR as a Municipal Building Official.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have included the review and inspection of large scale building projects for building code compliance. NOTE: Large scale building projects are interpreted as buildings exceeding 12,000 square feet in size and more than one story in height not including apartment buildings and single family residences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in architecture, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational background in architecture, engineering or building construction management
• Building Official license
• Experience in construction plan review for code conformance
• Experience working with contractors at construction sites for monitoring, field observation or construction administration

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess or obtain a license as a Construction Inspector or a higher license category within six (6) months of appointment
• Incumbents in this class will be required to travel
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as be able to perform the duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury or physical harm from exposure to building construction sites, fire scene or structural failure environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization. Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.