Senior Building Inspector

City of Sammamish; Sammamish (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The City of Sammamish is hiring an experienced inspector to assess residential and non-residential structures for structural and non-structural integrity during construction. The role involves field inspections, maintaining an inspection-tracking program, and producing weekly and monthly summaries for leadership.

Ideal candidates hold an Associate degree in a related field, four years of journey-level inspector experience, and ICC certification.

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate degree or trade school completion in structural-related field with 4 years of journey-level building inspection experience.
• ICC certification as Building, Plumbing, or Combination Inspector required.
• Washington State residency and valid driver license are required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field inspections of construction projects to ensure code compliance with ICC Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Codes and state/local regulations.
• Reads and interprets architectural drawings and site plans to verify compliance and issue corrections.
• Reviews plans for code compliance, researches materials, and prepares notices when deficiencies are found.
• Assists with coordinating staffing and equipment needs during budget planning and supports policy development.
• Maintains inspection records and serves as liaison across divisions and agencies.

Skills

Record keeping

Code interpretation

Communication

Customer service

Education

Associate degree in structural engineering or related field

Job description

Looking for a role where your expertise truly matters? Step into a position that keeps our community safe, resilient, and thriving. As part of our local government team, you’ll play a hands-on role in ensuring that homes, businesses, and public spaces are built and maintained to high standards. This position performs complex technical activities inspecting residential and non-residential structures during construction for structural and non-structural integrity compliance. Work involves performing complicated inspections, the development, maintenance, and operation of an inspection-tracking program, providing weekly and monthly summaries to designated/appropriate personnel, and performing a wide range of office and field activities to support administration of the division’s work plan/operational plan.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work:Your work directly protects public safety and ensures that every structure built in our community meets the highest standards of quality and integrity.

• Professional Growth: Access to continuous learning opportunities and career advancement.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, retirement plans, and generous paid time off (vacation and sick).

• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated and supportive team passionate about public service.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and comp time option as a commitment to your well-being; 14 paid holidays plus a floating holiday.

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.

Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

• Conducts field inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with the International Code Council (ICC) Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Codes, State Energy, Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality and Barrier Free Codes, as well as other state laws and City of Sammamish Ordinances and policies.
• Reads and interprets architectural drawings, site plans, topography, and structural drawings with actual construction to ensure compliance with applicable codes; recommends interpretations of adopted codes.
• Reviews architectural and structural plans for compliance with adopted technical codes, and evaluates proposal for new materials, conducts research regarding new products and materials for code compliance, and prepares corrections notices when appropriate.
• Assists with investigating field complaint circumstances to determine validity of complaints about inspectors or inspection results.
• Develops zoning procedures, setback enforcement, and shoreline regulations; assists with interpretations of codes and regulations in solving difficult problems.
• Assists architects, engineers, contractors, and the public in understanding the code requirements of the city.
• Supports division administration by preparing recommendations regarding building inspectors’ staffing and equipment needs during the budget workshop cycle.
• Responds to and/or addresses construction compliance concerns and assists in developing policies and procedures.
• Maintains notes, files, and records documenting inspections and related work.
• Serves as liaison between Building Division management and building inspectors, with other city departments, agencies, and code enforcement officers; assists in developing solutions.
• Serves on the MBP Inspection Services Committee or MBP Training Committee; participates in developing statewide inspection checklists.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• May be required to attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events based on organizational responsibilities and/or requirements.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in or trade school completion for structural engineering, construction technology, building inspection technology, or a closely related field; supplemented by four (4) years of experience as a Combination Building Inspector and journey-level experience in building construction and/or building or code compliance inspection; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Employees must be residents of Washington State.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

Current International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building, Plumbing, or Combination Inspector.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city-owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Field experience in the building trades, and five (5) years as a Combination Building Inspector for a municipality; ICBO certification as a Plans Examiner.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Local, state, and federal codes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to development, and responsibilities pertaining to building and life safety inspections.
• Building and construction terminology and structural systems and components, and construction materials, strengths, sequencing, and mechanics, and the standards and regulations pertaining to such.
• Sizing frame members for gravity loads and building performance dynamics in mitigating wind and seismic forces.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skill in maintaining accurate and complete records and preparing reports and the ability to meet deadlines and legal timelines.
• Skill in interpreting and explaining city, state, and federal codes, ordinances, specifications, policies, procedures, and standards to a variety of audiences (technical and non-technical parties).
• Skill in remaining calm in stressful and/or confrontational situations and ability to diffuse potential conflicts and challenges.
• Skill in clearly communicating and understanding information in English, both orally and in writing, and use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Skill in maintaining a customer service orientation and positive image of the city to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, and adhere to strict confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department / organization specific software and to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required.
• Ability to maintain responsive and flexible handling of work assignments and prioritize work to complete assignments accurately and timely.
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, fumes, temperature, weather, and noise extremes).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.