Building Inspector

City of Clearlake; Clearlake (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Clearlake is seeking an entry-level Building Inspector I to supervise and participate in plan checking, building inspection and permit issuance under general direction. This role provides staff assistance to the Director of Community Development.

The position involves inspecting industrial, commercial, and residential structures, issuing notices for code violations, approving permits, coordinating with other departments, and advising on code interpretations.

Qualifications

• Two years of construction or building trades experience; building inspection experience is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of building codes and ordinances enforced by the City, including the Uniform Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and zoning codes.
• Basic principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for plan checking, building inspection and permit issuance services.
• Inspect industrial, commercial and residential buildings during construction and remodeling to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
• Inspect foundations, framing, and building systems to ensure safe installation and compliance with plans.
• Issue notices to comply on violations and maintain records for possible legal actions; assist City legal counsel in actions.
• Approve issuance of building and occupancy permits.
• Inspect existing buildings for change of use or compliance with codes.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments.
• Consult with architects, contractors, builders and the public to explain requirements.
• Assist in checking building plans and perform field reviews of plans and specifications.
• Answer phones, schedule inspections, and file construction documents to ensure smooth operation of the office.
• Retrieve and manage building records from computer databases.
• Maintain files and reports on inspection activities and findings.

Skills

Office equipment

Motor vehicle operation

Education

High school diploma + building trades training

Job description

Under general direction, to supervise, assign, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for providing plan checking, building inspection and permit issuance services; to perform advanced level building inspection and plans examining duties; and to provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Community Development.

This is the entry level in the Building Inspector class series. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Building Inspector II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. Since this class is often used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Exercises no supervision.
• Inspect industrial, commercial and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling: ensure building progress conforms with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Inspect foundation, concrete, steel, masonry, wood construction, framing, plastering, plumbing, heating and electrical installations and a large variety of other complex and routine building system elements; ensure proper and safe installation of building systems.
• Issue notices to comply on violations; maintain records of history of facts for possible legal actions; assist City legal counsel in legal actions.
• Approve the issuance of building and occupancy permits.
• Inspect existing buildings for change of use, occupancy, or compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments and divisions as required.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret requirements and restrictions.
• Assist in checking building plans; conduct field review of plans and specifications.
• Perform other duties to ensure the smooth operation of the office including answering the phones, scheduling inspections, and compiling and filing building plans and other related construction documents.
• Retrieve building, assessors parcels, files and other computerized records from computer database as required.
• Maintain files and reports regarding inspection activities and findings.

Knowledge Of

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Basic principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.
• Major types of building construction materials and methods.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill To

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability To

• Learn building related codes and ordinances enforced by the City including the Uniform Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and zoning codes.
• Learn accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
• Learn to apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations and standard construction practices.
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
• Make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience

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: Two years of increasingly responsible construction and/or building trades experience. Building inspection experience is highly desirable.

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by training in the building trades.

Do you possess a California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question