Building Inspector II

City of Puyallup; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Puyallup is seeking a Building Inspector to ensure compliance with building codes through plan reviews and inspections. This role requires attention to detail and effective communication with contractors and the public. Join a dedicated team in a community-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Three years journey-level experience in construction trades.
• Two years experience as a building inspector.

Responsibilities

• Review plans for compliance with building codes.
• Conduct field inspections at construction sites.
• Enforce building codes and regulations.

Skills

Customer Service

Technical Communication

Problem Solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Construction Trade Apprenticeship

Job description

The City of Puyallup is hiring a building inspector to join the Building Division in the Development and Permitting Services Department. The Building Division has six employees. The job posting is open continuous and may close upon receipt of a qualified applicant pool.

It is impactful to join Team Puyallup and provide meaningful work in support of public service and the wellbeing of our community. We value our culture of demonstrating excellence in our work, being service focused, supporting collaboration, and having integrity in all that we do. We encourage those that share these values to apply to our open positions and/or forward to colleagues who may be ready for their next career advancement opportunity.

This is building and related code compliance work for the City. The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing plans and specifications for conformance with uniform/international building, fire, plumbing, mechanical and other municipal codes and for conducting field inspections of construction for conformance with these codes. Employees in this job classification are typically assigned to an area of code compliance with either a building emphasis or a fire emphasis. A technical supervisor is available to provide assistance and advice on complicated inspections. Errors which escape detection could compromise the safety of the general public. Reasonable close attention to detail is required to prevent errors in the interpretation of the codes. Frequent contact with contractors, other City departments and the public is required to enforce codes, coordinate activities and explain policies and codes. Work is conducted in the office and in the field at construction sites under a variety of weather conditions. Work requires the safe operation of City owned vehicles to move from one site to another.
The City of Puyallup is a community of 43,000 and is situated at the foot of scenic Mount Rainier. The city is known as a regional commercial center, and serves its residents and neighbors with a strong, diversified economy. Our employees live in and support a community that has excellent schools, amazing parks and recreational activities, and a vibrant downtown with a variety of restaurants and retail establishments.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Building Inspector I classification may be considered during this recruitment depending upon the qualifications of the candidate pool. Salary range for this level is $6,094.94 - $7,924.82 per month.

• Reviews approved plans and specifications for conformance with the requirements;
• Conducts field inspections at various stages of construction to ensure compliance with codes;
• Conducts plan reviews for commercial and residential projects, discusses problems with contractors and seeks compliance with codes, places stop work orders in cases of non-compliance;
• Receives complaints concerning illegal storage of garbage or other nuisances, determines validity of complaint, and refers valid complaints to Code Compliance Officer or County Health Department;
• Contacts owners of hazardous buildings, advises of code requirements;
• Answers questions from the public over the telephone or in person relating to the requirements of codes;
• Studies new materials, methods and appliances of building construction to keep current of modern developments, keeps records, plans and specifications and prepares reports;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• The provisions of the uniform/international building codes, fire codes, city development standards, local, state and federal regulations governing construction and hazardous materials.
• The various types of building construction materials and methods.
• The stages of construction when possible violations/defects may most easily be detected and corrected.

Ability to:

• Accurately read and interpret technical building plans, blueprints and specifications and compare these with construction in process or with provisions of the code.
• Clearly and accurately communicate technical requirements orally and in writing.
• Provide customer service tactfully, including diplomatically handling difficult individuals.
• Write clear narrative reports and recommendations.
• Creatively solve complex technical and/or political problems and issues.
• Work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Safely operate a City vehicle.
• Detect poor, inferior materials and construction techniques which pose a structural safety hazard in the construction of buildings.
• Enforce building codes and regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality.
• Learn and operate computer permit tracking software.
• Work effectively as a team member and promote a positive work environment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others.

Education and Experience: An equivalent combination to graduation from high school or a GED or recognized construction trade apprenticeship program and three years journey-level experience in the construction trades, including two years experience as a building inspector for positions with a building emphasis.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive public sector plan review experience
• Possession of the four ICC certifications.
  

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of International Code Conference (ICC) certification for Plans Exams, Building and/or Plumbing or Mechanical Inspector, 3rd Certification must be obtained within twenty-four (24) months of appointment.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain, and maintain throughout employment, a valid Washington State driver's license.

Employee must navigate all areas of construction sites including trenches and excavations.Frequent demands include climbing over and through form work with reinforcements in place; climbing ladders and crawling under buildings with minimum vertical dimensions of 18 inches for the purpose of inspection; lifting up to 30 pounds, including cumbersome objects such as ladders.Occasional demands are sitting; standing; climbing stairs and ladders; working at heights/balancing; bending and twisting at the waist; repetitive hand motion; handling/grasping; talking; hearing; seeing.Work includes indoor and outdoor environment, with 40 to 50percent of employee's time spent outdoors, including adverse weather conditions.Employee may be exposed to potentially hazardous material and heights and subject to walking around construction sites at various stages of completion.This position is at potential risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.Work requires the safe operation of City owned vehicles to move from one site to another.
SELECTION PROCESS
Only applications that include the response to the Supplemental Questions will be accepted. Those applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the City's current needs will be contacted for oral interviews and/or testing. The appointing authority may conduct second interviews.
Notification –Following submission of application, an email acknowledgment receipt of application is given. Persons selected for an interview and/or testing will be notified by email, normally within 15 working days following the closing date on the job announcement.
Not Selected –No formal notification is usually sent by the City to applicants not selected for an interview or test. Should the same or another position open for which the applicant wishes to apply, he/she must apply online for each new opening.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Essential Functions –The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.
Hours of Work – Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. Some after-hour work commitments may be required. This is a fully in-person position.
Union Affiliation –This is an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit position.
Equal Employment Opportunity –The City of Puyallup is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.
Background –The City of Puyallup will need to obtain the proper background and criminal history information pursuant to RCW 43.43.830/832 for positions where theemployee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons or vulnerable adults.
Disability– In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement 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.
Identification– Applicants who are offered employment with the City are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States within three days of date of hire, as required by the 1986 Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. A list of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work will be provided to those who are offered employment. The city uses the E-Verify program.
Drug-Free Workplace–The City of Puyallup is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.
Note –The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.