Commercial Building Inspector

Lancaster County Government; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster County Government in Lancaster, SC is seeking a Building Inspector to ensure compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

You will communicate with county staff, contractors, and the public; review construction documents, perform field inspections, and provide guidance to less experienced colleagues. This role requires independent judgment and ongoing education to maintain certifications.

Qualifications

• Interprets and applies International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.
• Reviews architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural, and civil drawings for permit readiness.
• Communicates with a variety of stakeholders including contractors, staff, and the public.
• Maintains records and prepares reports related to inspections and permits.
• Maintains required continuing education hours to keep certifications current.

Responsibilities

• Inspect structures for code compliance during various construction stages.
• Review submitted construction documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to design professionals and homeowners.
• Provide guidance to less experienced inspectors and staff.
• Issue warnings or stop-work orders when necessary to enforce codes.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Data entry

Research and information retrieval

Independent & collaborative work

Discretion and judgment

Tools

Computer software

Office machinery

Job description

Under general supervision, ensures compliance with mandatory codes and regulations related to building construction to safeguard the general public. Reports to the Chief Inspector.

Communicates and interacts with County staff, contractors, and the general public; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationship with coworkers and those contacted in the course of a working day.

Communicates both orally and in writing; performs data entry, retrieval, and researching information using computer software.

Works both independently and collaboratively to resolve complex differences in interpretation of codes with the design professional, contractors, and the general public.

Reviews and interprets building and structural construction documents for accurate compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments consisting, but not limited to, architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural, and civil details normally found on submitted drawings for building permits.

Researches alternative products, materials and methods of construction submitted to the Building Department for accurate compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments before issuing building permits.

Advises basic inspection principle, practices, and procedures to less experienced colleagues.

Follows directions from supervisor; remains punctual; accepts criticism in the performance of other duties including but not limited to projects, attending meetings, and obtaining yearly continuing education hours required to maintain certifications as current.

Communicates with local utility providers to convey approval and satisfaction of work installed, altered, or repaired to any given structure.

Works independently in the field to make decisions using discretion, judgment, and code knowledge when inspecting multi-family dwellings, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings and residential structures during a variety of stages of construction.

Assures compliance with the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments during inspections at various stages of construction, alterations, and/or repairs to any given structure.

Differentiates deviations from the construction documents submitted for approval for a building permit; creates a report explaining such deviations along with any and all items not adhering to the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Provides assistance to other Building Inspectors in areas of specialization or certifications along with a possible explanation of how to satisfy the requirements of the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Assembles with design professionals, contractors, superintendents, and/or individual homeowner/builders on site; negotiates solutions on how to satisfy the requirements of the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments in passive, respectful, and professional manner.

Mediates hostile situations when issuing verbal warnings or stop-work orders to structures not complying with County regulations or adhering to the International Commercial and Residential Building Codes with South Carolina amendments.

Performs the duties subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, airborne particles, intense noises, and extreme temperatures.

Maintains vehicle.

Receives, reviews, prepares and processes various records and reports to include construction drawings, engineering documentation, technical data, diagrams, daily logs, utility transmittals, field documentation, etc.

Interacts and communicates with a variety of groups and individuals to include co-workers, immediate supervisor, other departmental personnel and supervisory staff, the County Administrator, permit customers, contractors, training instructors, architects, engineers, etc.

Operates and utilizes various office related machinery and equipment to include a computer, adding machine, printer, typewriter, calculator, fax machine, small hand tools, and a motor vehicle.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER