Building Inspector I

UES; Ashland (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking a Residential Building Code Inspector I in Richmond, Virginia to perform residential inspections and gain hands-on experience for future growth into commercial projects. You’ll work with seasoned professionals, receive ongoing training, and pursue licensures and certifications to broaden your technical expertise.

The position emphasizes field inspections, adherence to codes, and strong communication with contractors and project teams, with 50–70% travel within the region.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; active Building Inspector License required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to job sites.
• Certifications in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or plans examination preferred or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Perform residential building inspections, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components within your qualifications.
• Inspect foundations, slabs, framing, roofing, and other structural elements for safety, quality, and code compliance.
• Identify code or construction concerns and work with contractors, engineers, architects, and project teams to determine appropriate next steps.
• Clearly document inspection findings and provide practical recommendations.
• Partner with project and field teams to keep inspections moving efficiently and safely.
• Continue developing your technical expertise with the potential to grow from residential into commercial inspection work.

Skills

ACI/WACEL Foundations

ICC B1

ICC P1

Valid driver’s license

Independent work

Attention to detail

Blueprint reading

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Travel flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Active Building Inspector License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Field Data Collection (FDC) software

Job description

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

Build Your Inspection Career With UES.

UES is looking for a Residential Building Code Inspector I to join our team in Richmond, Virginia. You’ll focus primarily on residential construction inspections while building hands‑on experience that can help you expand into commercial inspections as your career develops.

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

Build Your Inspection Career With UES.

UES is looking for a Residential Building Code Inspector I to join our team in Richmond, Virginia. You’ll focus primarily on residential construction inspections while building hands‑on experience that can help you expand into commercial inspections as your career develops.

At UES, professional growth is part of the opportunity. You’ll have exposure to experienced professionals, ongoing training, and opportunities to pursue additional certifications and licensures that broaden your technical expertise and career potential.

What Will Help You Succeed

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in quality work, communicates well in the field, and wants to continue developing professionally.

Key Qualifications Include

• ACI/WACEL/Foundations, ICC B1, and ICC P1 certifications
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work independently in active construction environments
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills
• Ability to interpret construction plans, specifications, and applicable building requirements

Ready to grow your inspection career? This is a great opportunity to deepen your residential expertise, pursue additional certifications and licensures, and grow toward commercial inspection work.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

You’ll be out in the field helping ensure residential projects are constructed safely, correctly, and in accordance with applicable codes and standards.

You’ll Have Opportunities To

• Perform residential building inspections, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components within your qualifications.
• Inspect foundations, slabs, framing, roofing, and other structural elements for safety, quality, and code compliance.
• Identify code or construction concerns and work with contractors, engineers, architects, and project teams to determine appropriate next steps.
• Clearly document inspection findings and provide practical recommendations.
• Partner with project and field teams to keep inspections moving efficiently and safely.
• Continue developing your technical expertise with the potential to grow from residential into commercial inspection work.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; active Building Inspector License is required.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to travel to job sites as needed.
• Certifications in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or plans examination (such as ICC or equivalent) are preferred or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe.
• Basic knowledge of construction methods, materials, and building codes, with a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Basic computer proficiency, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Field Data Collection (FDC) software or similar industry tools.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze blueprints, construction plans, specifications, procedures, technical manuals, and reports.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare detailed reports, correspondence, and communicate professionally with colleagues, supervisors, contractors, and clients.
• Effective time management, mathematical, attention to detail, and problem‑solving skills to ensure accurate and efficient inspections.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating a strong work ethic and focus on delivering high‑quality, professional inspections.
• Ability to work in various outdoor conditions, including extreme weather and active construction environments, and physically navigate construction sites safely.
• Flexibility to travel within the designated region as needed to support inspections, compliance efforts, and business operations is a must.

Preferred Qualifications

• ICC M1
• ICC E1

Travel Requirements

This position requires extensive domestic overnight travel 50% to 70% of the time, sometimes at short notice to support business objectives and client engagements. Travel will be to job sites, working in various outdoor conditions, and adhering to company safety protocols.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position primarily works in an outdoor work environment, regularly exposed to varying field conditions, including:

• Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, fields, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man‑made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
• Moderate to loud noise levels, common in active construction and industrial environments.
• Exposure to environmental elements including dirt, dust, sun, heat, humidity, and adverse weather conditions.

The physical requirements for this position may include and are not limited to:

• Ability to lift and/or carry 35 to 75 lbs. up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
• Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate equipment for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for typing, handling tools, and operating equipment.
• Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for fieldwork and inspections.
• Ability to speak and hear effectively to communicate in noisy environments and with project teams.
• Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vision, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here.