BUILDING INSPECTOR (PROVISIONAL)(DPIS)

City of Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Buffalo seeks a Building Inspector to perform field inspections and enforce city and state building codes. The role involves reviewing plans, permits, and ensuring construction compliance, issuing occupancy certificates, and addressing code violations.

Requires strong knowledge of construction methods and codes with the ability to work independently. Responsibilities include inspecting residential and commercial properties, handling complaints, and coordinating with other departments.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of building construction methods and rehabilitation.
• Ability to interpret building plans, codes, and blueprints for compliance.
• Experience conducting inspections and enforcing codes and ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Inspect buildings for compliance with city/state codes and ordinances.
• Review plans and permit documents for construction projects.
• Issue certificates of occupancy/compliance and enforce corrections.
• Investigate complaints and conduct follow-up inspections.

Skills

Building codes

Inspection procedures

Plan interpretation

Field inspections

Court testimony

Education

Associates Degree in Civil Engineering or Technology

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Camera

PC / Computer

Job description

BUILDING INSPECTOR #3140 (cont'd.)

An incumbent to a position in this class makes field inspections to insure that buildings meet standards established by the State and City building and zoning codes and ordinances. Work involving the responsibility for the enforcement of ordinances and code requirements, compliance with contract plans and specifications relative to the erection, repair, alteration or demolition of buildings. Immediate supervision and assignments are received from the Chief Building Inspector. Duties are performed in a time-sensitive manner and incumbents work with shared information from other city departments and outside agencies with the use of electronic equipment. However, incumbents work independently making his/her own final decisions. In disputed or exceptionally difficult cases, he/she will defer to a supervisor for advisement and decision. Supervision may be exercised over clerical personnel assigned. Reviews plans for building construction, repair, alteration or demolition to determine if they are in compliance with codes and ordinances; Inspects construction activities for required permits and licensed contractors; Inspects construction activities and insures that work is being performed in accordance with applicable laws and codes and in compliance with contract plans and specifications including the proper use of materials; orders and reviews soil evaluations, checks walls and foundations for structural compliance; issues certificates of occupancy, certificates of compliance and similar official documents; Inspects existing buildings for needed repairs for compliance with safety, fire and health laws; orders corrections and improvements; Performs final inspection of completed work giving approval for the city; Investigates complaints concerning residential and commercial property relative to building codes or ordinance violations; reviews, investigates and responds to complaints from city complaint line and by telephone and mail; gathers facts and information by use of electronic application programs and shared information from other city departments; downloads photographs; issues and sometimes delivers building permits and license; prepares letters of violations and other correspondence in response to inquiries; Works with other City Departments such as Police, Fire, Animal Control and directs citizens complaints and problems to proper authorities when necessary; If licensed to do so, completes Asbestos Surveys and submits to lab for analyses; may be required to force entry into buildings, break floors, open walls, and re-board buildings; Reviews certificates of occupancy for multiple dwellings and performs inspections on same; Reviews requests for and investigates property for needed repairs or demolition; checks for falling debris and other hazardous conditions; performs emergency inspection after a fire; Investigates contractors, property owners and others for possession of the necessary licenses or permits; Prepares data for and serves as an expert witness in Housing Court for cases of violation of city ordinances and applicable codes relative to construction work and housing code violations; Prepares reports and submits documentation of all inspection related activities; completes and submits daily activity sheets; Meets with block clubs and other community groups to discuss problems with building code violations, etc.; Regular use of computer-based data including the performance of routine inspection and permit related input; Drives to and from work sites; Performs related duties as required.

Promotional

• (A) Continuous and permanent status in any city department at the skilled craft worker level in one of the building construction trades in the competitive class for one year: Bricklayer, Carpenter, Electrician, Glazier, Ironworker, Plasterer, Plumber or Roofer.
• (B) Continuous and permanent status in any City Department at the skilled craft worker level in one of the building construction trades in the non-competitive class for two years: Bricklayer, Carpenter, Glazier, Ironworker, Plasterer, Plumber or Roofer.

In addition, applicants must have five years of full time experience at the skilled craft worker level in one of the above building construction trades where work involves the reading of construction plans and specifications.

OPEN COMPETITIVE

• (A) Associates Degree in Civil Engineering or Technology, Construction Technology or Building Management and Maintenance from an accredited college, university or technical institute and three years of full time experience at the skilled craft worker level in one of the following building construction Bricklayer, Carpenter, Electrician, Glazier, Ironworker, Plasterer, Plumber or Roofer, where work involves the reading of construction plans and specifications;
• (B) Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma and five years of full time experience at the skilled craft worker level in one of the following building construction trades Bricklayer, Carpenter, Electrician, Glazier, Ironworker, Plasterer, Plumber or Roofer, where work involves the reading of construction plans and specifications;
• (C) An equivalent combination as defined within the limits of A and B.

BUILDING INSPECTOR #3140 (cont'd.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (cont'd.)

Special Requirements for both Promotional and Open Competitive Qualifications

1. Possession of a current NYS Driver's License, which must be presented at time of appointment.
2. Possession of a Basic Code Enforcement Training Certificate issued by the NYS Department of Education which must be presented within 18 months from date of appointment.
3. Must have successful completion of annual continuing education requirement as established by New York State for code enforcement officers.
4. Additional official requirements may be specified for building inspectors involved in the electrical, plumbing or other specialty trades.

NOTE: Building construction trades not listed above will be reviewed at the discretion of Civil Service. (Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements.)

SKILLED CRAFT WORKER LEVEL

For the purpose of this examination, skilled craft worker level is defined as working as a skilled tradesman at a journeyman level in an acquired trade (after completion of apprenticeship where applicable) without supervision (direction in the performance of duties) but, where work, upon inspection meets the requirements of the trade.

*Applicants must consent to screening requirements of the New York State License Event Notification Service (LENS). This provision is in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 382.703(a) and cannot be performed without the consent of the applicant.

THE CITY OF BUFFALO IS AN EQUAL OPPORUNITY EMPLOYER

• Thorough knowledge of methods and materials used in building construction and rehabilitation;
• Good knowledge of the fundamental principles of general construction work;
• Good knowledge of inspection procedures and principles;
• Ability to understand and interpret building plans, specifications and blueprints to determine compliance with building regulations;
• Ability to understand and interpret state and local building codes, zoning laws, safety, fire and health laws and to successfully complete basic code enforcement training;
• Ability to maintain records of inspections and investigations and submit reports concerning same when requested;
• Ability to operate a camera and PC with the use of application programs;
• Ability to appear in court and to testify truthfully under oath as part of enforcing applicable codes;
• Ability to meet the public tactfully and enforce rules and ordinances with good judgment;
• Ability to work under adverse conditions: weather, high crime areas, confrontational citizens, etc.;
• Firmness and courtesy;
• Impartiality;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.