Building Inspector II

City of Westerville; Westerville (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Westerville seeks a Code Inspector II to perform technical inspections across industrial, commercial, and residential buildings, ensuring compliance with City and Ohio codes. The role involves plan reviews, issuing notices for code violations, and maintaining permit records.

Preferred qualifications include certification in Electric Safety Inspections. The position requires strong communication, record-keeping, and the ability to work with architects, engineers, and contractors.

Qualifications

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED).
• Must possess one or ability to obtain more than one of the then current and valid State of Ohio Certification(s): (a) building inspector, residential building inspector, mechanical inspector, plumbing inspector, and/or residential plans examiner OR (b) Electrical Safety Inspector.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio driver’s license and must remain insurable under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical inspections on industrial, commercial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
• Supervise and guide inspection activities under the Chief Building Official’s supervision.
• Develop and maintain detailed records of inspection activities; prepare reports and respond to complaints.
• Communicate with the public, developers, contractors, and owners regarding codes and permits.
• Meet safety requirements, maintain licenses/certifications, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Code inspection

Blueprints/Plans review

Communication

Teamwork

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Ohio certification: Building Inspector or Electrical Safety Inspector

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suites

Job description

Under the general supervision of the Chief or Assistant Chief Building Official, the Code Inspector IIperforms technical inspections on industrial, commercial, and residential buildings in various stages of construction and remodeling to ensure compliance with the applicable codes and regulations of the City of Westerville and the State of Ohio. The work involves performing inspections on structural components, fire protection, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. The position entiels issuing written notices to comply on code violations and maintaining computer and paper file on various permits, explaining and interpreting code requirements to developers, contractors, and owners.

A certification and/or strong background in Electric Safety Inspections is preferred.

For purposes of 42 U.S.C. 12101

1. Conduct technical inspections on industrial, commercial, and residential buildings in various stages of construction and remodeling to ensure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City of Westerville and the State of Ohio; analyze site plans, blueprints, shop drawings, and related documents to understand the scope of proposed work; examine and perform plan review services on one, two, and three family dwellings to ensure compliance with the Residential Code of Ohio; issue written notices to comply on code violations and maintain digital and paper files on various permits.

2. Supervise and guide inspection activities under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official; receive additional guidance from the City Codified Ordinances and the City of Westerville Employee Handbook; review work through performance evaluations, meetings, reports, and analysis of results obtained.

3. Develop and maintain detailed records of inspection activities in a computer software system; prepare written and oral reports on inspection activities; respond to complaints and perform property maintenance inspections; initiate action to owners of structures in a state of disrepair; consult with architects, engineers, builders, contractors, and owners regarding the provisions of various codes, related documents, and City ordinances; make recommendations and aid in solving problems.

4. Communicate effectively by receiving and responding to inquiries from the public both verbally and in writing; answer questions from the public, realtors, contractors, architects, and builders; respond to telephone inquiries; educate homeowners on the permit and inspection processes; maintain a positive working relationship with outside agencies, professional organizations, and other City departments; attend required continuing education classes for certification renewal; attend seminars, conferences, and training sessions when requested; attend meetings as required; review trade bulletins, publications, and new product literature to remain current on developments in the construction field.

5. Meet all job safety requirements and all applicable safety standards that pertain to essential functions; must demonstrate regular and predictable attendance; maintain required licenses and/or certifications.

6. Perform other duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Calculator, computer, computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Suites, and other applicable computer software programs), mobile phone, copier, scanner, telephone, postage machine, and other standard modern business office equipment, motor vehicle.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); works in the vicinity of floor or wall openings, elevated platforms, and/or runways; ascends and/or descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds; works in a confined space; works in an area in which the means of egress is or can be obstructed; is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas; is exposed to possible injury from extremely noisy conditions above 85db; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, or air contaminants; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous waste; is exposed to possible injury due to unclean or unsanitary conditions; is exposed to possible injury as a result of electrical shock; is exposed to possible injury as a result of falling from high places; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons; has exposure to potentially vicious animals; has exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; has exposure to extreme non-weather related heat or cold; has exposure to hazardous driving conditions; this is considered light work and the employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the physical demands required of the position in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s physical demands strength ratings.

In cases of emergency, unpredictable situations, and/or department needs, may be required to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects heavier than D.O.L. strength ratings recommend.

An example of acceptable qualifications:

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED); and

• Must possess one or ability to obtain more than one of the then current and valid State of Ohio Certification(s): (a) building inspector, residential building inspector, mechanical inspector, plumbing inspector, and/or residential building inspector, mechanical inspector, plumbing inspector, and/or residential plans examiner OR (b) Electrical Safety Inspector.

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio driver’s license and must remain insurable under the City’svehicle insurance policy.

• Any combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications stated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

(*Indicates developed after employment)

KNOWLEDGE OF:

current State of Ohio codes and the related reference documents; principles and practices of the code inspection process; means and methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction industry; city goals and objectives*; city policies and procedures*.

SKILL IN:

use of modern office equipment and software; computer operation; motor vehicle operation; critical thinking, judgment, and decision making.

ABILITY TO:

answer inquiries and resolve complaints from contractors, builders, and the public in an effective, tactful, and courteous manner; organize and prioritize daily work assignments and activities; work independently and as a team member; perform mathematical calculations and basic algebraic functions; perform written documentation in a clear and concise fashion; collate and classify information and data regarding inspection and permit activities; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; operate a personal computer for the purpose of entering, accessing, and retrieving information and data regarding inspection and permit activities; creating letters and correspondence to other employees, contractors, engineers, architects, owners, and the general public; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, other employees, contractors, engineers, architects, owners, and the general public; conduct site inspections in adverse weather conditions, traverse construction terrain, and have sufficient dexterity and mobility to perform all inspections on structures/buildings of varying design and height; demonstrate professionalism; apply management principles to solve agency problems*.