Job Details

Senior Building Inspector

Under direction of the Chief Building/Fire Code Official, performs complex residential and commercial inspections of buildings and structures in various stages of construction, alteration and repair for compliance with applicable building, accessibility, energy and zoning codes and ordinances; responds to inquiries from the public, applicants, contractors and other City staff and departments; performs related duties as required. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Incumbents in this classification perform the more complex building inspection work, requiring considerable independent judgment and initiative. A Senior Building Inspector is expected to assume responsibility for inspections, scheduling and coordinating activities with other departments. The Senior Building Inspector is distinguished from the next lower class, Building Inspector, in that the former class is a highly skilled lead specialty inspector in combination inspections and will inspect new and existing buildings to determine compliance with building and zoning laws and ordinances; inspect structures, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, accessibility and energy for compliance in commercial/industrial buildings, and multifamily residences for compliance with applicable codes and standards.

The duties listed below are illustrative only. They are not meant to be a full and exhaustive list of all of the duties and responsibilities of the classification.

• Reviews, for purposes of inspection, architectural plans of buildings to be constructed, altered, repaired, etc., for conformance with building, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, housing, zoning and related local and state codes and ordinances; inspects buildings for compliance with such regulations and notifies builders of any required certificates.
• Performs skilled inspections in buildings and various electrical, plumbing, gas appliance and heating and ventilation and other related installations. Consults with the designer or contractors regarding plan changes and plan conformance with building code requirements.
• Investigates complaints of building, plumbing, housing, wiring, heating and ventilation, refrigeration and zoning violations.
• Maintains records and prepares inspection and investigation reports.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of approved methods, materials, and equipment pertaining to building, plumbing, heating, ventilation, refrigeration and electrical construction; may attend meetings and conferences of inspection officials.
• Answers questions and complaints, and provides information regarding plumbing, building, zoning, housing, electrical and related codes, ordinances and inspections.
• Assists in court actions involving building, zoning, plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical violations.
• Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence regarding construction status, stop work and violations using a personal computer; prepares monthly reports of number and types of inspections utilizing daily log as record of inspections.
• Devises forms, files, building division web page updates and other procedures necessary for the efficient operation of the Building Division.
• Trains and provides working lead assistance in specialty areas to Building Inspectors in the performance of their duties; reviews output and quality of work performed and provides evaluation input to management accordingly.
• May review and approve permit applications and issues appropriate certificates.

Any combination of education and experience as follows: Education Equivalent to graduation from high school. Associate degree in building Inspection Technology, Construction, Engineering or a related field is desirable. and Experience Four (4) years of experience as a journey level Building Inspector either working onsite as a contractor or in a similar capacity or working for a public agency involving the interpretation and enforcement of municipal and building codes. LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS Must possess a valid International Code Council (ICC) Inspector combination certification at the time of appointment. Maintenance of the certification is a condition of employment. Must possess a valid California driver's license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment and have a satisfactory driving record.

Knowledge of building construction, electrical installation and repair and plumbing and mechanical methods and materials; California Fire, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and National Electrical Code and related state and local laws; proper inspection methods and techniques; safe work practices and procedures; legal procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and ordinances; operation of personal computers and data entry; correct English usage including spelling, grammar, and punctuation; effective interpersonal relations; basic mathematics including addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, and geometry; legal procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and ordinances.

Ability to learn and enforce a wide variety of codes and ordinances, laws and regulations; respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and firm manner; investigate, document and resolve complaints or make other appropriate dispositions; establish, organize and maintain record keeping systems; interpret and analyze information, draw valid conclusions and project consequences; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; enter and move around in small spaces, walk on a variety of surfaces and varying terrain; read various size print; read and interpret architectural drawings, discern colors, read codes and ordinances; operate a variety of tools and equipment; work outdoors in all weather conditions with intermittent exposure to high levels of noise, fumes, odorous emissions, airborne particles and closeness to moving machinery and mechanical parts; travel to attend classes, seminars and workshops during work and non-work hours; work scheduled and emergency overtime, as needed; perform related duties as required.