Job Description
Primary function of the job is to review construction plans and conduct field inspections of residential, commercial, and/or industrial buildings to determine and secure compliance with codes and ordinances. Employees must meet the minimum requirements and be able to perform all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations. This position may require irregular hours, travel by the employee, and may require the employee to travel in the employee's own vehicle.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Enforce State and County codes, laws, and ordinances related to residential, commercial, and/or industrial buildings in assigned areas of responsibility.
- Inspect buildings, structures, and installations to determine compliance with applicable State code, County ordinance, and enforce codes/ordinances as necessary.
- Plan and organize inspection routes.
- Issue field correction and violation notices.
- Review sealed drawings and plans and a variety of construction documents to ensure code compliance related to assigned area of responsibility.
- Approve and issue permits.
- Assist building owners, contractors, engineers, and the public with information regarding code‑related matters.
- Enter field report data into applicable computerized systems and maintain related files and documentation associated with field inspections.
- Prepare reports and documentation.
- Participate in a variety of meetings, workshops, training sessions, and/or other related groups to receive and convey information.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Graduation from high school or G.E.D. and completion of an approved apprentice program or equivalent training in assigned area of responsibility.
- Four to six years of experience related to assigned area of responsibility.
Certifications and Licenses
- Journey license in a building trade required.
- Registered or provisionally registered as an inspector and must complete training and update requirements for regular registration renewals pursuant to the Building Officials and Inspectors Registration Act.
- Requires a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's vehicle policy.
Conditions of Employment
- A background check may be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job.
- Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include, but is not limited to, confirmation of a person’s identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law.
- A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant’s or employee’s suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Position frequently works in an outdoor environment with exposure to weather‑related heat and cold, rain, wind, and related elements.
- May be required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear; smell; use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
- May be exposed to extreme heat and cold (not related to weather), working in close quarters, high and precarious places, near moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, vibrations, fumes or airborne particles, infectious diseases.
- May be required to lift/move up to 100 pounds.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
- Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, etc.
- Knowledge of local and state laws, rules, and regulations relating to code inspection, as well as the legal procedures related to the enforcement of the codes in assigned areas of responsibility.
- Knowledge of appropriate construction, fire, or building codes, hazards, methods and techniques.
- Knowledge of County permit application processes and practices.
- Knowledge of County zoning regulations.
- Knowledge and ability to use a personal computer to prepare reports, maintain records, search for and compile data.
- Advanced skill in performing on‑site inspections.
- Skill in reviewing and analyzing blueprints and/or other technical documents.
- Skill in identifying and recommending soil erosion and sedimentation controls.
- Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with customers, co‑workers, and representatives of other agencies.
- Skill in operation of modern office equipment such as personal computer, facsimile, copiers, scanners, and telephones.
- Physical ability to perform job responsibilities such as walking over terrain and digging, as required by the job assignment.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to read and interpret diagrams, blueprints, plans and specifications; apply the applicable code to such plans and recognize deviations from the code and relate them to the construction process.
- Ability to think analytically and apply sound judgment, solve problems, make effective decisions, and act with integrity.
- Ability to use sound judgment to detect unusual, harmful, or emergency situations and act accordingly.
- Ability to comprehend, process and apply both verbal and written skills appropriate to the job.
- Ability to apply and tactfully enforce complex rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment; maintain confidentiality of information and professional boundaries; use County resources effectively and efficiently.
Compensation
Starting hourly rate: $31.06 USD.
Benefits
- Medical: The County offers employees a high‑deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account each year. Employees may also deposit funds into this account every pay period.
- Vision: The County provides a no‑cost plan for employees and an enhanced plan through EyeMed.
- Dental: Dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. Employees pay no costs or premiums for diagnostic and cleaning services.
- Wellness: The County provides a variety of incentives and programs that allow employees to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Employee Recognition: Employees receive awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school.
- Vacation: The County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefited employees.
- Holidays: The County gives employees 12 days a year to celebrate holidays, plus additional floating holidays to use at discretion.
- Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 72 hours annually depending on contract; unused personal leave up to 40 hrs is paid.
- Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months leave following birth or adoption.
- Retirement: Defined contribution through MERS with generous match that fully vests after 6 years.
- 457(b) Retirement Plans: Optional 457(b) deferred compensation and Roth retirement plans with matching contributions.
- Life Insurance: Automatically provided to benefited employees.
- Short‑Term Disability: Two‑thirds of salary up to 182 days.
- Long‑Term Disability: 60 percent of salary up to 24 months.