Building Inspector IV (Plan Check)

City-of-Sacrament; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sacramento’s Building Division seeks a Building Inspector IV for the Plan Review Section. This role performs advanced plan review across several disciplines, reviews complex construction plans for compliance, and communicates requirements to applicants and professionals, while meeting established timelines.

Ideal candidates have extensive plan-review experience and advanced knowledge of California Building Standards Codes, with relevant ICC certifications desirable.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of methods, practices, and materials used in construction work relating to a particular inspection discipline.
• Knowledge of proper inspection techniques to examine work product and materials.
• Knowledge of data entry and information retrieval from computer systems.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices in construction areas and offices.
• Knowledge of codes, ordinances, and policies applicable to a particular inspection discipline(s).

Responsibilities

• Review plans and inspections of building projects for compliance with codes and ordinances.
• Prepare correction notices defining plan deficiencies and communicate requirements to applicants and designers.
• Manage plan reviews and enforce established timelines.
• Identify and enforce violations and provide customer service to stakeholders.

Job description

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The City of Sacramento’s Community Development Department is seeking a Building Inspector IV for the Building Division’s Plan Review Section. This position performs advanced plan review in one or more specialty areas, including residential combination/structural, nonstructural building and life safety, plumbing/mechanical, or electrical. Responsibilities include reviewing complex construction plans for compliance with applicable codes and regulations, preparing clear correction comments, communicating code requirements and compliance options to applicants and design professionals, and managing plan reviews within established timelines.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have advanced knowledge of the California Building Standards Codes and substantial plan‑review experience in residential combination/structural, nonstructural building and life safety, plumbing/mechanical, electrical, or another applicable specialty. The candidate will exercise sound independent judgment, effectively review complex construction documents, clearly communicate code requirements and compliance options, provide excellent customer service, and manage multiple plan reviews within established timelines. Relevant International Code Council (ICC) certifications or equivalent specialized training are highly desirable.

DEFINITION

To perform rule specific inspection activities in the review of plans and inspections of new building projects, alterations, and repairs, to enforce a variety of codes, ordinances, and established standards to achieve compliance, and to perform other duties and responsibilities as required. Depending on qualifications, incumbents may be assigned to any four, or any combination of inspection discipline areas as:

• Building Specialty Inspection
• Plumbing/Mechanical Specialty Inspection
• Electrical Specialty Inspection
• Roofing Combination Inspection
• Residential Combination Inspection
• Multi‑Family Residential and Light Commercial Combination Inspection
• Residential Combination & Structural Plan Review
• Non‑Structural Building Plan Review
• Plumbing/Mechanical Plan Review
• Electrical Plan Review
• Project Management
• Enforcement Case Management

Building Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to building construction.

Plumbing/Mechanical Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to plumbing and mechanical construction.

Electrical Specialty Inspection assignments concern inspections of residential and commercial construction and applicable methods, practices, materials, codes, ordinances and policies used in construction work as related to electrical construction.

Roofing Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on roofing installations on one and two family residences, multi‑family and commercial buildings, including building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections, incidental to the roofing work.

Residential Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and roofing installations on one, two, and three family residences for conformance with applicable codes and ordinances.

Multi‑Family Residential and Light Commercial Combination Inspection assignments concern inspections on building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and roofing installations on specific types of building permits for multi‑family and commercial buildings qualifying for inspection by Light Commercial Inspectors.

Residential Combination & Structural Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for one, two, and three family dwellings, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances, and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies. Inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction and assists with other inspections, including combination inspections.

Non‑Structural Building Plan Review assignments concern the review of the more complex building plans and supporting materials for commercial and multi‑family buildings, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies, responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction, and assists with other inspections disciplines as they relate to non‑structural building plan review and construction.

Plumbing/Mechanical Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for plumbing and mechanical installations, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction and assists with other inspection disciplines as they relate to plumbing and mechanical plan review and installations.

Electrical Plan Review assignments concern the review of all building plans and supporting materials for electrical installations, and the acceptance and review of building permits to ensure compliance with various codes, ordinances and policies; responsible for the preparation of correction notices defining plan deficiencies; inspects all work, including the most complex installations to support fast track construction, and assists with other inspection disciplines as they relate to electrical plan review and installations.

Project Management assignments concern the development and administration of contracts for the construction or plan review of facilities, and the inspection of construction to ensure compliance with plans and specifications, and the management and coordination of City or private venture projects. Projects are managed and coordinated from conception through completion. In addition, Project Management assignments assist the project team by coordinating and expediting project approval, plan review, permit issuance, and inspections functions with various departments and agencies.

Enforcement Case Management assignments concern complaint investigations for determination of code deficiencies, not necessarily related to active construction; management of contracts to demolish or repair structures with identified deficiencies, and coordination with various organizations and agencies in managing cases.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED

Direct and lead supervision may be provided by higher level personnel. Depending on assignment, duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Identify and enforce a variety of codes, ordinances, and standards violations for conformance with plans and specifications.
• Inspect work product and materials in building construction projects for conformance with plans and specifications, and inspect potentially substandard or dangerous buildings.
• Work with diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents.
• Read and interpret building construction and engineering plan specifications and codes.
• Prepare and maintain reports.
• Confer with, and assist architects, engineers, contractors, builders, homeowners, tenants and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret requirements and restrictions, keep records and prepare reports as necessary.
• Enter information into the Automated Permit System and the computer for word processing, calendaring, and electronic mail.
• Perform basic plan review, routing and project management activities, issue permits, and fee calculations.
• Identify illegal construction activity and issues violation notices.
• May perform case or project management activities. Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Methods, practices, and materials used in construction work relating to a particular inspection discipline.
• Proper inspection techniques to examine work product and materials.
• Data entry and information retrieval from various computer systems necessary for duties.
• Safety rules, regulations and practices applied to construction areas and office spaces.
• Codes, ordinances, and policies applicable to a particular inspection discipline(s).

Ability to:

• Read and write the English language at a level of proficiency necessary for effective job performance.
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine work product and materials.
• Recognize correct installations of building systems, detect defects and faults in construction work product and materials.
• Detect deviations from plans, regulations, and read and interpret building construction and engineering plans, specifications, and codes.
• Understand diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, engineers, architects, contractors, tenants, owners, and the general public.
• Operate a motor vehicle.
• Operate a personal computer and other electronic equipment, including field entry devices and cellular phone.
• Lift, carry, push, tools, equipment, supplies and plans weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work within confined spaces, climb ladders, work around power and noise producing equipment, work in confined spaces requiring reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, and crouching.
• Work in all weather conditions including wet, hot, cold and windy.
• Access construction areas within construction sites.
• Work on uneven work surfaces, trenches, slopes, roof structures, framing, and other conditions found in a construction environment.
• Serve on‑call, work after hours, weekends and holidays, during emergency situations, and as required.
• Anticipate issues and seek resolution through various resources.
• Provide service to all customers with a professional and sincere attitude; be customer service oriented.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required skills is qualifying. Typical ways to obtain the knowledge and skills for this classification would be:

Education:

• Completion of the 12th grade or GED certificate.

Experience:

• Two (2) years experience performing duties as a Building Inspector with the City of Sacramento,
• OR -
• Three (3) years experience performing duties comparable to a Building Inspector with the City of Sacramento in another municipality or county government agency.

COMPARABLE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

To see the classification specification for the comparable classification of Building Inspector I, please click here.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case by case basis. Incumbents must possess certification from an approved certifying organization in their specific work discipline(s) and obtain recognition of competency within one year of appointment. Maintenance of required certifications is a condition for continued employment in this classification.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Should certification and/or license be used to qualify for this position, then proof of said certification and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

IN ADDITION, INCUMBENTS IN EACH INSPECTION DISCIPLINE MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE AND/OR CERTIFICATION AS OUTLINED PER DISCIPLINE. ONCE APPOINTED, INSPECTORS MAY QUALIFY AND PERFORM WORK IN OTHER DISCIPLINES.

BUILDING SPECIALTY INSPECTION

Knowledge of:

• Methods, practices, codes, ordinances, policies, and materials used in construction work as it relates to the Building Inspection Discipline, and applies to both residential and commercial construction.

Ability to:

• Inspect all work, including the more complex or difficult installations within the specialty.

Experience and Certification:

• Three years of experience as a journey‑level craft person in Building (structural), or a closely related discipline, and a working knowledge of building construction.
• Certification by I.C.B.O. or other approved certifying organization in the Building Inspector category, and recognition by the Chief Building Official of the competency to perform both residential and commercial building inspections.