Building Inspector / Code Enforcer

City of North Chicago•North Chicago, IL

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Building Inspector portion of the position involves conducting thorough inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial structures throughout all phases of construction. The inspector verifies that work aligns with approved plans, adopted building codes, and all applicable permit requirements. This includes evaluating structural components, electrical, and mechanical installations for proper design, materials, and workmanship. The inspector documents findings and communicates deficiencies to contractors and property owners. The role requires strong technical knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex code provisions while maintaining clear, professional communication on job sites. The Code Enforcer portion focuses on applying North Chicago’s housing and property maintenance codes in a fast-paced, customer-service-oriented environment. The inspector identifies violations, issues citations when necessary, and provides clear guidance to property owners and tenants. This role emphasizes respectful communication, consistent enforcement of adopted codes, and collaboration with other City departments when addressing property conditions. Work involves traveling from City offices by vehicle to locations located within the City for the purpose of inspecting buildings, structures or premises, and to assess the condition of such locations in relation to the codes enforced by the City. Inspections are performed in locations that include the exterior, or interior of any site that may be below grade, or inspection of rooms, halls, stairs, roofs or any other structure or building component. Employee uses judgment in determining code violations and the immediacy of the needed repairs. Employee is responsible for completing work according to City work rules and safety regulations. Guidance is provided via the City Code, City policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, ensuring that housing code initiatives are met. Work in support of inspections is performed in City offices. Legal action is initiated by this position with the need for court or hearing testimony presented under oath. Safety equipment such as steel-toed shoes, are worn as well as other safety equipment as needed, and inspection equipment such as recorders, computers, tape measures, circuit testers, smoke detector testers, and other equipment is carried by the inspector on inspections. This position requires on call availability during the heating season to respond to emergency calls. Work is evaluated at least annually with respect to progress toward achieving goals, customer service skills, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization and the general public.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (some college education preferred in the areas of civil technology, and/or construction management).
Three years’ code enforcement experience; or any combination of training and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:
Considerable knowledge of building construction; International Building and Property Maintenance Codes; general construction principles and practices.
Ability to read, understand and interpret code books, ordinances, maps, policies, procedures, journals, newspapers, letters, reports, and legal documents.
Ability to write reports and memos with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Ability to speak before an audience with poise, voice control, and confidence, using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Ability to multi-task variable duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to use Microsoft products such as Word and Outlook (for email).
A basic understanding of Microsoft Access is a plus.
The ability to use computer resources such as the internet and GIS for conducting job related research.
Ability and willingness to learn and utilize new proprietary software for inspection purposes and the knowledge of how to use and properly care for laptop computers is a must.
Ability to follow established timelines and use good judgment when working on a property inspection case file.
Ability to lift medium weight objects, open and close building windows and doors, apply pressure to building components as part of inspection.
Ability to use and operate inspection tools and equipment.
Ability to work indoors with possible exposure to human, animal, and rodent fecal matter; rodents and pests; inadequate ventilation, lack of light, filth and other unsanitary conditions.
Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability to perform moderate manual work daily including sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and climbing.
Ability to focus on small and distant objects, recognize depth of objects, stand for long periods of time, work outdoors at night with reduced lighting, talk and hear.
Ability to use machines, tools, equipment, associated with this type of work but not limited to automobile, flashlight, room thermometer, cellular telephone, code books, tape recorder, personal computer, software, measuring devices, hammer, screwdriver, shovel, awl, camera, and electrical devices.
Hand-eye coordination necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
Ability to stand, sit, walk, use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, and reach with hands and arms.
Employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.
Valid driver’s license allowing driving in Illinois and a safe driving record.
Must obtain International Code Council (ICC) Certification for IPMC (64) within six (6) months and Residential Building Inspector (B1) within one (1) year of employment.

Nice To Haves

Some college education preferred in the areas of civil technology, and/or construction management.
Prior home inspection experience preferred.
Home inspectors are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Obtains permission from owners and tenants to enter dwellings.
Visually examines all areas to determine compliance with ordinance standards for heating, lighting, ventilating, and plumbing installations.
Measures dwelling units and rooms to determine compliance with ordinance space requirements, using tape measure.
Inspects premises for overall cleanliness, adequate disposal of garbage and rubbish and signs of vermin infestation.
Prepares notice of violation letters advising property owners and tenants of possible violations and time allowed for correcting deficiencies.
Reviews case and notice of violation reports and revisits dwellings at periodic intervals adhering to Division policy requirements to verify correction of violations by property owners and tenants.
Explains requirements of Property Maintenance Codes and City ordinances to property owners, building contractors, and other interested parties.
Ability and willingness to take legal action on Property Maintenance Code cases when warranted by writing citations and giving testimony in court.
Presents legal complaints for prosecution and testifies against landlords, property owners in Administrative Court.
Works closely with community/neighborhood groups and organizations on a variety of property maintenance issues to include violations and problems.
Serve as liaison between City and Lake County Health Department.
Review and approve building permit submittters, i.e. deck, patio, porch, egress window etc.
Conduct permit inspections, i.e. driveway, fence, patio, deck, porch, and other inspections as needed by the city from time to time.
Keep detailed records of inspections, including but not limited to pictures for documenting the condition of the property.
Perform rental and sale inspections.
Keep accurate records of judgement.
Work with Comptroller’s office to ensure all the City’s contractor expenses, i.e. grass cuts are being recouped.
Work with Comptroller’s office to ensure judgements are recorded.
Performs other related duties and assignments as needed or required.