Building Inspector

Burke County Public Health; Morganton (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Burke County Public Health in Morganton, NC is seeking a Building Inspector in the Community Development Department. The role enforces state, federal, and local codes and conducts on-site inspections of buildings and systems to ensure safety and compliance.

The position requires plan reviews, collaboration with contractors and county officials, and ongoing credential maintenance. A valid NC driver's license and NC certifications are required; salary is commensurate with level and experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 3–5 years of experience as a building inspector or related field involving code interpretation or construction knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Enforces NC, federal, and local codes by conducting field inspections of buildings and their systems.
• Drives to job sites and verifies compliance with building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes.
• Reviews plans before permits are issued to ensure alignment with codes and regulations.
• Communicates with contractors, the County Chief Building Inspector, planning director, and homeowners.

Skills

English proficiency

Communication skills

Measuring devices

Organization & time management

Data interpretation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Building Inspector

Department: Community Development

Hiring Range: Building Inspector I - $25.13 - $30.16 per hour
Building Inspector II - $27.15 - $32.58 per hour
Building Inspector III - $30.50 - $36.60 per hour

*Salary will be commensurate with experience and level certificates

FLSA Status: Non - Exempt

Closing Date: October 28, 2026 at 5pm

General Statement Of Duties

This position interprets, enforces, and ensures compliances with North Carolina, federal, and local codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations to promote public health and safety. Position requires approximately 40 hours of work per workweek.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Enforces North Carolina, federal, and local codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations compliance by conducting field inspections and inspecting buildings, structures, and their systems
• Drives to job sites, physically walking through job sites to ensure buildings, structures, and their systems are compliant with all codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations, including building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes.
• Performs plan reviews before permits are issued to correct any items that are contrary to any code, law, ordinance, or regulation
• Effectively communicates (orally and in writing) and meets with contractors, Burke County Chief Building Inspector, planning director, and homeowners
• Maintains inspector credentials updated with standard courses, testing, and continuing education requirements
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Required Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• At least three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a building inspector or another related field involving code interpretation or construction knowledge

Special Requirements (upon Hire, Unless Otherwise Indicated)

• Valid North Carolina's Driver's License
• North Carolina Standard Level III Certificates by the North Carolina Department of Insurance in Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Inspections

Physical Requirements, Working Conditions, And Occupational Exposures

• Standard vision requirements, with or without corrective lenses
• Occasionally lifts up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Frequently spends time standing, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands and fingers to handle, feel, type, or text, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands or arms, pushing or pulling, and engaging in repetitive motions
• Routinely spends time walking
• Must be able to prepare and analyze written or computer data
• Must be able to engage in visual inspections involving small parts
• Must be able to observe general surroundings and activities
• Frequent exposure to somewhat disagreeable elements
• Individuals are occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions, extreme cold (non-weather), and extreme heat (non-weather)
• Individuals are occasionally required to work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, and work with risk of electrical shock
• Individuals are frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions
• Working in situations without following safety measures and not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment ("PPE") may result in situations that could result in accidents
• Subjected to considerable mental effort and potential stressful situations during day to day operations
• Frequently subjected to loud noises

Required Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to convey detailed instructions loudly, accurately, and quickly
• Ability to receive detailed instructions or information through verbal communication
• Ability to use measuring devices
• Strong organization and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to operate and use systems, technologies, and machines required to perform duties of the position
• Ability to demonstrate analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources, such as guidelines, policies, and procedures

Burke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, genetic information, or disability in employment or the provision of services.