Building Inspector I- IV

Alachua County Sheriff's Office; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Health Insurance

Employee Life Insurance

Florida Retirement System

Employee Assistance Program

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners seeks a Building Inspector to enforce building, plumbing, electrical and related codes. The role conducts on-site inspections, reviews plans, and issues permits to ensure compliance with approved plans and county codes.

The position requires a high school diploma, Florida driver license, and progression toward Florida inspector certifications. A pre-employment drug screen, background checks, and emergency essential status are included.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Level IV certification preferred; applicants with less certification may be considered.
• Must obtain provisional Building Inspector certification within 3 months; standard certification within 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Enforces building codes with on-site inspections of footings, foundations, framing, electrical and plumbing systems.
• Reviews plans, specifications and standards for conformance.
• Maintains records, issues permits and certificates, and assists with permitting and case research.
• Responds to complex customer service issues and communicates guidance regarding codes.

Skills

Building codes knowledge

Carpentry

Blueprint reading

Communication skills

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Permitting software

Personal computer

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

Beginning salary commensurate with qualifications and experience; hiring range between $52k - $68K.

Preference is for individual to have Level IV certification; however, an applicant with less certification will be considered.

Graduation from high school or equivalent and five years of experience in general construction or related fields; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.

Must obtain "provisional" certification as a Building Inspector by the State of Florida within three months of employment. Must obtain "Standard" certification as a Building Inspector by the State of Florida within two years of date of issuance of provisional certification.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This position performs a variety of routine and complex technical work in building inspection work to ensure that standard building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy conservation and other related codes and standards are being met.

An employee assigned to this classification inspects new and existing buildings and structures to enforce conformance to County building and zoning laws and approved plans, specifications, and standards.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through reports, conferences and observation of results obtained.

Essential Job Functions

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

• Exudes a positive customer service focus.
• Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
• Enforces building codes, including Standard Building Code, Standard Housing Code, Standard Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code, and local codes such as sprinkling, nuisance, clearing, grading, and filling. Issues correction notices and citations.
• Performs on-site inspections of footings, foundations, framing, electrical hookups, plumbing and mechanical systems.
• Examines general framing and structure of buildings to ensure that corners are tied in place, that trusses are tied down and set at proper distances, that floor joists are set at right distances and proper spans, and that bridging is put up and in place, and that the general quality and grade of lumber used in construction is standard.
• Performs electrical inspections examining for right size of panels, correct uses and sizes of wire, for correct number of circuits, and for correct numbers and location of switches to ensure that standard codes are adhered to.
• Performs plumbing inspections of all plumbing fixtures examining for vent size, grade and size of pipe, and examines all joints for proper sealing to ensure that there are no leaks.
• Observes water tests on all completed plumbing, examining for sealing and leakage.
• Maintains records of building and inspection activity and completes related reports. Issues certificates and permits as appropriate.
• Assists in researching problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction and code compliance. Responds to complex and sensitive building issues.
• Assists in resolving complex and sensitive customer service issues, either personally, by telephone or in writing. Maintains records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions.
• Assists in administering the permitting function, including application processing, fee assessment and collection, and permit issuance.
• Explains, interprets, and provides guidance regarding all applicable codes within area of responsibility to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and other interested parties.
• Assists the Code Enforcement Board as needed, and provides required information.
• Performs the duties of a Plans Examiner as needed and qualified.
• Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
• NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of standard building and general construction codes and carpentry.
• Considerable knowledge in carpentry work and cement work.
• Skill in applying knowledge of standard building codes, zoning, and land use applications.
• Skill in the operation of the following equipment: personal computer, including word processing and permitting software; motor vehicle; 10-key calculator; portable radio; phone; ladder or scaffolding; and tape measure.
• Ability to work well with the public and with local contractors.
• Ability to read and understand complicated plans and blueprints.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; talk or hear; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 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 regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles; outdoor weather conditions; risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of radiation. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); extreme cold (non-weather), and extreme heat (non-weather).

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Supplemental Information

Confidential Position: Certain personal information for employees (and specific family members) in this job position is exempt from public records pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

an organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows:
• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
• Christmas Day
• Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
• 2 Floating Holidays (All non- IAFF employees)
• IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.