Building Inspector

Sboc 7; Oak Forest, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holiday time

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

Job summary

The City of Oak Forest Building Department is seeking a full-time Building Inspector to enforce building, zoning, and related codes across residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The role includes reviewing plans, conducting field inspections, and guiding contractors to achieve compliance.

Starting salary ranges from $55,223 to $74,713 with strong benefits; requires ICC certifications and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the ICC codes.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules and procedures.
• Two years of supervisory experience or equivalent.
• Current and valid driver’s license and ICC certifications in building inspection.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Building Commissioner in the supervision of permits, inspections, and enforcement functions.
• Review and interpret Architectural/Engineering plans to ensure compliance with building and zoning codes; issue permits accordingly.
• Conduct field inspections of new residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures; troubleshoot complex inspections and ensure code compliance.
• Respond to inquiries regarding building codes, violations, and general inquiries; provide technical information on codes/standards.
• Communicate with contractors to ensure conformity with regulations; perform final inspections to check overall code compliance.
• Maintain and update permitting software and keep critical records organized.

Skills

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Professionalism

Adaptability

Attendance/Punctuality

Dependability

Education

High school diploma, plus technical or college-level courses in building construction, electrical, mechanical, or structural engineering

ICC certifications in building inspection

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The City of Oak Forest Building Department is seeking applicants for the position of full-time Building Inspector. Under the general direction of the Building Commissioner, the building inspector is responsible for the administrative and investigative work in the inspection of all City commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance with codes governing building trades, and ensures that all buildings and structures are built in compliance with established codes and ordinances.

This is a technical support position responsible for performing specialized tasks in enforcing regulatory ordinances and codes in such areas as property maintenance, zoning, building codes, and other related areas. This position reports to the Building Commissioner.

Illustrative Examples of Work

Examples of work include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists the Building Commissioner in the supervision of permits, inspections, and enforcement functions.
• Acts as trainer and mentor for inspectors and assists the Building Commissioner in everyday planning and operations of the Building Department.
• Provides technical support and guidance to inspectors.
• Reviews and interprets Architectural/Engineering plans to ensure compliance with building and zoning codes. Ensures all pertinent building codes and City ordinances are followed. This includes survey requirements for permit, location, and conformance with zoning and land use requirements. Reviews plans to determine conformance with codes prior to issuance of building permits.
• Conducts field inspections of new residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures, troubleshoots complex inspections; ensures compliance with City codes.
• Inspects buildings in various stages of construction, alteration, and repair for compliance with one or several of the construction codes that may govern for conformity to existing code requirements. Takes necessary steps to correct violations.
• Responds to inquiries from residents and other stakeholders regarding building codes, violations, and general inquiries. Provides technical information on codes/standards pertaining to permits, inspections, licensing, and occupancies.
• Communicates with contractors in making corrections to ensure conformity with regulations and plans. Makes final inspections of construction projects to check overall code compliance. Interprets legal requirements and recommends compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers, and owners.
• Researches, analyzes, and prepares a variety of studies, reports, correspondence, and recommendations for decision-making purposes; prepares and oversees preparations of monthly reports.
• Assists the Building Commissioner in the upkeep and maintenance of the permitting software
• Uses best practices to ensure critical records are maintained and organized in a timely manner.
• Assists the Building Commissioner with maintaining and updating applicable City codes.
• Acts as department liaison between other departments or agencies as directed by the Building Commissioner. Attends and participates in professional group meetings and maintains awareness of trends and developments in the field of municipal building.
• Appears in court, providing relevant testimony as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Professionalism - Tactfully approaches others; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Required Experience and Training

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience - A thorough understanding of the building, zoning, and code enforcement codes. Extensive knowledge of the ICC codes. High school diploma supplemented by technical or college-level courses in building construction, electrical, mechanical, or structural engineering, or related areas. Five to seven years of experience in the construction industry of skilled construction trades and/or in comparable code enforcement work. Two years of supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
• Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.
• Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Computer Skills- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the knowledge and ability to work within the City’s software systems and Microsoft Office.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations- A current and valid driver’s license is required along with I.C.C. certifications in building inspection.

Starting salary: $55,223- $74,713 DOQ. This is a full-time, non-union position and includes excellent benefit options, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Other benefits include paid vacation, sick, and holiday time as well as contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Application deadline: Candidates must apply by September 11, 2026, with a completed application and resume to the attention of Bridget Parfitt, Human Resource Manager, City of Oak Forest, 15440 S. Central Avenue, Oak Forest, IL 60452, [e-mail] .