Building Inspector

City-of-Pelha; Pelham (AL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Pelham is seeking a building inspector to enforce conformance with building, zoning, and safety codes. You will inspect new and existing structures, review residential plans, and advise contractors and owners on regulations.

The role emphasizes independence, accuracy, and public safety. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree preferred with four years of inspector experience, bilingual English/Spanish a plus, and the ability to interpret complex documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with four years of Inspector experience and/or training in building codes, zoning ordinances and codes.
• Fluency in Spanish also preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively before groups.

Responsibilities

• Inspects residential and commercial buildings during and after construction to ensure compliance with codes and plans.
• Provides plan review on residential and commercial submittals.
• Consults with contractors and the public to ensure code conformity and safety.
• Maintains inspection records and prepares reports for authorities.
• Cites violations and follows up on corrections; ensures safety and quality.

Skills

Problem Solving

Customer Service

Team Work

Leadership

Ethics

Organizational Support

Accountability

Professionalism

Quality

Education

Bachelor’s degree with four years of Inspector experience

High school education or GED equivalent

Associate’s degree with six years of Inspector experience

Eight years of Inspector experience with bilingual English/Spanish

Tools

None

Job description

Inspects new and existing buildings and structures to enforce conformance to building, grading, and zoning laws and approved plans, specifications, and standards. Work is performed independently. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive nor exclusive, but is intended to provide examples of typical duties performed.

• Inspects residential and commercial buildings during and after construction to ensure components meet provisions of building, grading, zoning, and safety laws and approved plans, specifications, and standards.
• Provides plan review on all residential plan submittals. Provides Plan review on Commercial and Residential Plan submittals.
• Works with contractors, builders and public to consult and advise regarding procedures and regulations and ensuring conformity with regulations, code compliance, and public safety.
• Ensures gravel is placed on driveways and silt fences and hay bales are in place and maintained at each building construction work site for storm water runoff.
• Interprets, answers questions, and recommends compliance procedures to contractors, craftworkers, and owners in reference to zoning and building codes.
• Observes conditions and issues notices for corrections to persons responsible for conformance.
• Maintains inspection records electronically and prepares reports for use by administrative or judicial authorities.
• Conducts inspections of existing buildings to determine lack of prescribed maintenance, housing violations, or hazardous conditions.
• Obtains evidence and prepares reports concerning violations which have not been corrected.
• Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with others.

Competency

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

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner;
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs;
• Team Work - Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Contributes to building a positive team spirit;
• Leadership - Inspires respect and trust;
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values;
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures;
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions;
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position;
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

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/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with four years of Inspector experience and/or training with knowledge of building codes, zoning ordinances and codes; or, equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fluency in Spanish also preferred.

Education/Experience

• Required: High school education or GED equivalent and
• Bachelor’s degree with four years of Inspector experience and/or training with knowledge of building codes, zoning ordinances and codes; or,
• Associate’s degree with six years of Inspector experience and/or training with knowledge of building codes, zoning ordinances and codes equivalent combination of education and experience; or,
• Eight years of Inspector experience and/or training with knowledge of building codes, zoning ordinances and codes equivalent combination of education and experience and fluency in both English and Spanish languages.

Certificates and Licenses

• Required: Valid Alabama Driver's License.
• Must obtain Building Inspector certification within the first year after hire.
• Preferred: Certified Building Inspector through International Code Council; Qualified Credentialed Inspector; Member of International Association Electrical Inspectors.
• A Certified Commercial Building Inspector or experience as an electrical inspector or licensed electrician is preferred.

Language Ability

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 organization.

Fluency in Spanish preferred.

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 variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in relevant technology and software applications required for the role.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. This position requires individual to climb ladders and ability to get on roof on building to complete inspections.