Building Inspection - Building Inspector

City-of-Lebanon,-T; Lebanon (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lebanon is seeking a Building Inspector to perform technical and regulatory inspections of structures under construction, alteration, repair, and occupancy to ensure code compliance. The role requires reviewing plans, conducting field inspections, and issuing permits, violations, and stop-work orders as needed.

Applicants should have a High School Diploma or GED, with an Associate’s degree preferred and a minimum of two years’ experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree strongly desired.
• Minimum 2 years building inspection experience or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Determine whether plans comply with regulations and notify owners of deficiencies.
• Inspect new and existing structures to ensure safety standards are met and issue permits as needed.
• Maintain logs and files, including reports and photographs of projects.
• Notify contractors or owners of violations with guidance for correction within a set timeframe.
• Issue stop-work orders if deficiencies are not corrected.
• Support Building Inspections Department as assigned by leadership.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and punctuality.

Skills

Reading plans

Written communication

Math knowledge

Code interpretation

Computer proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s degree (strongly desired)

Tools

MS Office

Inspection software

Permitting software

Digital plan review

Job description

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Performs technical and regulatory inspections of residential and commercial structures during construction, alteration, repair, and occupancy to ensure compliance with applicable building, fire safety, housing, zoning, and related codes. Reviews construction plans and specifications for conformance with adopted regulations; conducts field inspections to identify deficiencies; issues permit, notices of violation, and stop-work orders as necessary; and provides guidance to contractors, property owners, and the public regarding code requirements. Work is performed under general supervision with considerable independent judgment in the interpretation and application of codes and standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Determines whether plans for the structure comply with regulations.
• The Building Inspector inspects new and existing structures to determine safety standards are met and notifies property owners if deficiencies are found. Issues Building permits.
• Maintains a daily log of work inspected, permits issued, and violations issued. Maintains files including reports and photographs of projects.
• Notifies contractor or building owner of violations giving guidelines for correcting the deficiency within a reasonably specified time.
• Issues stop-work order if deficiencies are not corrected.
• Support Building Inspections Department as assigned by the Chief Building and/or Planning Director.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this role

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the plans and documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• General Knowledge of methods of building and construction.
• Knowledge of drafting and math.
• General knowledge of International Code, City Housing Codes and related inspections.
• Ability to operate a computer system using various MS Office system programs.
• Ability to operate computer based permitting programs.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform basic and intermediate mathematical calculations related to building construction and code compliance.
• Ability to calculate dimensions, areas, volumes, loads, and ratios as required to verify compliance with building and safety codes.
• Ability to calculate and verify permit fees, inspection fees, and valuation estimates in accordance with adopted fee schedules.
• Ability to interpret scaled drawings and blueprints, including converting measurements and applying formulas accurately.

SOFTWARE SKILLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, for report writing, correspondence, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to use computer-based permitting, inspection, and code enforcement software systems for permit issuance, inspection tracking, and documentation of violations.
• Ability to review and annotate digital plans, photographs, and inspection reports using electronic file management systems.
• Basic proficiency with mobile devices or tablets for conducting field inspections, entering inspection data, and accessing code references remotely.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new software systems and technologies used by the Building Inspections Department.

EDUCATION

High School Diploma or GED is required.

Associate’s degree from accredited college or technical school is strongly desired.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 2 years of prior experience in building inspection, construction or closely related field is strongly desired.

OR

Equivalent combination of education and work experience in a related field.

CERTIFICATIONS

Must obtain certification in various approved Building International Code council classes: Individuals must obtain certification as a Residential Building Inspector, Residential Plumbing Inspector, Residential Mechanical Inspector, through the International Code Council within six (6) months of hire date: per TCA 68-120-113.

Must obtain certification in various approved Building International Code council classes: Individuals must obtain certification as a Commercial Building Inspector, Commercial Plumbing Inspector, Commercial Mechanical Inspector, through the International Code Council within twelve (12) months of hire date: per TCA 68-120-113.

DRIVER LICENSE

Must possess a valid Tennessee Driver's License with a clear driving record. Or ability to obtain TN driver's license within 30 days of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIROMENT, REASONABLE ACCOMMADOTIONS

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, and to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing general surroundings and activities. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee often uses hands and fingers to manipulate measuring devices or read and peruse job data sheets. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus and ability to read small blueprint materials. Physical demands consist of frequent standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, or stooping. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Most work is performed outdoors and requires ability to climb and move about construction sites. Some work is performed generally in an office environment using general office equipment. Frequent travel between City offices and job sites is required to conduct meetings and inspections. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Attendance at council meetings, work sessions and other meetings may be required, as directed by the Chief Building Official, Planning Director or Executive Director of Engineering & Planning.

Reasonable accommodations shall be the responsibility of the City of Lebanon, Executive Director of Engineering & Planning to assess the type(s) of reasonable accommodations which may be necessary to allow the individual "to perform the essential functions of this role and to provide such necessary reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the provision of reasonable accommodations if doing so will impose an undue hardship on the employing agency or a direct threat to the safety of himself/herself or others.