Combination Building Inspector / Plans Examiner

City of Burien; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Burien is hiring a Combo Building Inspector / Plans Examiner who reviews plans and performs on-site inspections for residential and less complex commercial projects. You’ll issue permits, provide code guidance, and help the public navigate City procedures.

Split your time between office and field work, with inspections in varied conditions. A Washington driver’s license and ICC certifications are required, with opportunities to earn additional ICC/IAPMO credentials within six to

Qualifications

• An associate degree in building inspection technology with three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Current ICC Certification as a Residential Building Inspector.
• Ability to earn ICC Residential Plans Examiner certification within 12 months.
• Ability to earn ICC/IAPMO Residential Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector certification, or ICC Residential Combination Inspector certification, within six months of hire.
• A valid Washington driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing plans for compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, energy conservation, and accessibility codes.
• Inspect residential and commercial construction at various stages to make sure the work matches City-approved documents.
• Issuing notices of correction and violations, and approving permits and certificates of occupancy for routine projects.
• Helping people: contractors, developers, architects, engineers, and the public rely on you for building code guidance and information on City procedures.
• Wearing the permit technician hat: answering public inquiries, checking applications for completeness, routing blueprints, and issuing permits.
• Pitching in by attending pre-construction meetings, assisting Code Compliance Officers, and serving on employee committees.

Skills

Plan review

Building inspections

Code guidance

Public communication

Permits & issuance

Education

Associate degree in building inspection technology

Job description

Do you love blueprints and boots on the ground?

Why choose between the desk and the job site when you can have both? The City of Burien is looking for a Combo Building Inspector / Plans Examiner who is just as comfortable reviewing plans and engineering calculations as climbing around a construction site to see how it all comes together.

As a journey-level member of our Building Division, you'll handle plan review and inspections for residential and less complex commercial projects. You'll work independently on routine matters, and complex or non-standard projects go to our Senior Combination Building Inspector/Plans Examiner or the Building Official.

A Typical Day Might Include

• Reviewing plans for compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, energy conservation, and accessibility codes.
• Inspecting residential and commercial construction at various stages to make sure the work matches City-approved documents.
• Issuing notices of correction and violations, and approving permits and certificates of occupancy for routine projects.
• Helping people: contractors, developers, architects, engineers, and the public rely on you for building code guidance and information on City procedures.
• Wearing the permit technician hat: answering public inquiries, checking applications for completeness, routing blueprints, and issuing permits.
• Pitching in by attending pre-construction meetings, assisting Code Compliance Officers, and serving on employee committees.

What You'll Bring:

• An associate degree in building inspection technology (or equivalent continuing education and training) AND three years of responsible building, construction, and/or plan review experience, OR a combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge and skills to do the job.
• Current ICC Certification as a Residential Building Inspector.
• Ability to earn ICC Residential Plans Examiner certification within the 12-month trial period.
• Ability to earn ICC/IAPMO Residential Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector certification, or ICC Residential Combination Inspector certification, within six months of hire.
• A valid Washington driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Bonus

• Fluency in Spanish and/or Vietnamese, and an engineering background.
• Commercial building, plumbing, and mechanical certifications are not required for this position.

Where You'll Work:

You'll split your time between the office and the field. Field work can mean construction noise, all kinds of weather, rough terrain, ladders, scaffolding, heights, and open trenches. The job requires the ability to push, pull, lift, and carry 10 pounds.

About Our City

The City of Burien believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope. 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.