Building Inspector

City of La Porte; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of La Porte is seeking a Building Inspector to enforce City codes and zoning through field inspections at various construction stages. You will assist in coordinating daily inspection activities and permit issuance, ensuring safe installations and code compliance for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

Requires knowledge of building inspection techniques, the ability to interpret codes, and strong communication with the public and contractors.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of building inspection principles and techniques.
• Ability to determine conformity with City Codes and policies.
• Experience in field inspections and coordination with contractors and the public.

Responsibilities

• Assist supervisors in coordinating daily inspection and code enforcement activities.
• Perform field inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
• Issue permits and inspect structural, plumbing, heating, and electrical systems.
• Examine building plans for compliance with codes and ordinances.
• Explain requirements to architects, contractors, and the public.

Skills

Building inspection

Code enforcement

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

DEFINITION

Utilize construction experience and construction code knowledge to perform a variety of building inspection duties at various stages of construction, alteration and repair; to enforce all related codes and zoning ordinances; to provide assistance to the public on building plans and specifications.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official and Deputy Building Official. May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Supervisors in the coordination of daily inspection activities and daily code enforcement activities.
• Assist the Supervisors in the coordination of daily activities performed by clerical staff. Work front counter, issue permits, and assist as needed when short-handed.
• Make field inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City, State and Federal agencies.
• Issue permits for work to be performed. Inspect foundation, framing, plumbing, heating, and electrical installations, and a large variety of other complex and routine building system elements.
• Assume responsibility, as directed by the Supervisors, for examination and checking approval of building plans for compliance with adopted applicable codes and ordinances of the City, work with contractors, developers, and the general public to insure compliance and remedy deficiencies.
• Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other departments and divisions. Make field review of plans and specifications.
• Assist in the conduction of zoning and general land use, and code enforcement inspection work as assigned.
• As needed process code enforcement violation cases in order to achieve abatement. Processing includes identification, documentation, and notice of violations, citation issuance, court testimony, and oversight of abatement achieved by means of contractor clean-up.
• Determine compliance with all codes adopted by the City of La Porte and pertinent provisions of State and City ordinances.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office to explain and interpret requirements and restrictions.
• Act as Chief Building Official or deputy Building Official representative as needed and requested.
• Attend Fire Code Review Committee meetings, as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

For indefinite periods of time - mobility within a office and field environment; exposure to electrical hazards; exposure to extreme cold, heat, heights, and noise; writing; walking; typing; twisting body; stooping; standing; squatting; sitting; seeing; kneeling; grasping; crawling; climbing; cleaning; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds; reading; decision making; speaking; interfacing with the public; keen vision; clarity of hearing; communicating clearly and effectively, in person and by telephone; fine finger manipulation; operation of a personal computer, camera, pool test kit, calculator, minor hand tools, architectural/engineering scale, measuring tape, ability to read a level, and electrical testing devices; operating a motor vehicle through city traffic.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of building inspection work.

Ability to:

• Determine that construction systems conform to City Code requirements.
• Apply City codes and policies regarding zoning, environmental matters, and other regulations to field situations.
• Work independently with general supervision.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

One year of responsible experience performing construction inspection or related duties and a High School Diploma or GED supplemented by college level courses related to building inspection.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Must have a valid Texas Driver's License. Possession of or ability to obtain within 18 months a Texas Plumbing Inspector's License and prefer 2 of the 4 ICC Residential Inspection Certificates obtained within 2 years of date of hire.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

*Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice.

The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals.