Building Inspector I/II

City of Palmdale (CA)•Palmdale, CA

51d•$38 - $53

About The Position

The Inspector performs responsible journey level paraprofessional, technical, and administrative work in their respective assigned area of responsibility including, but not limited to, building safety; inspect residential, rental and commercial structural building systems at various stages of construction, alteration and repair to assure compliance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances and regulations. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Inspector I This entry level class of the series is distinguished from level II by routine and repetitive duties performed according to established procedures. Incumbents are closely supervised in their initial assignments. As they gain experience, incumbents will work more independently in routine work. Inspector II Working under general supervision, the position is the journey level in the series. Employees at this level require specific experience and less supervision and review to complete assignments. Positions are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level, or if filled from the outside, require prior related experience. Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Review plans and specifications of assigned projects; and attend pre-construction conferences, as assigned. Observe work during progress and upon completion; and ensure that safety procedures are followed. Monitor, inspect, and approve completion of work done under encroachment permits; and ensure that all specified conditions are met. Prepare appropriate documentation, paperwork, records, and reports. Coordinate design alterations between City staff and the developer. Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems. Perform related duties as assigned. Economic and Community Development Make field inspections of buildings and structures during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with approved plans, specifications and applicable building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical fire and other codes and regulations of the City, county, state and federal agencies. Inspect existing residential rental units (single and multi-family) for compliance with minimum standards of the Uniform Housing Code. Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, and a large variety of other complex and routine structural building system elements such as studs, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors. Examine grade, quality, and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition. Inspect mechanical, solar, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems. Inspect swimming pool and structural and electrical installations, including setbacks and bonding requirements. Assure proper installation of exit ways, guardrails and other safety factors. Conduct a plan review of specifications and engineering data. Identify and describe work to be covered by permits. Ascertain or ensure conformance to Uniform Building Code and pertinent provisions of state and county health and environmental ordinances. Issue permits for work to be performed when assigned. Interpret building codes and work with builders, property owners, and craftsmen in making changes necessary to conform to codes. Inspect various structural building systems at various stages of construction alteration and repair to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances, and laws. Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in building inspection and permitting. Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in the rental registration program. Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities. Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, equipment, and supplies; monitor and control expenditure. Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; write performance evaluations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures. File complaints and/or issue citations against persons who willfully violate City building code and regulations; testify in court as necessary. Answer questions and provide information to members of the public; and investigate complaints and recommend corrective actions as necessary to resolve complaints.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Operations, services and activities of a building and safety and/or respective department.
Related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, such as the Uniform Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes.
Techniques and methods pertaining to reading and interpreting drawings and blueprints.
Basic principles of field surveys and inspections.
Principles, methods, materials, equipment and safety hazards of construction.
Defects and faults in construction.
Basic mathematics, including Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, as applied to construction inspection work.
Basic soil mechanics and geology.
Principles of engineering as applied to construction inspection.
Engineering mechanics of structures.
Methods and techniques of recordkeeping.
Equipment, tools, and materials used to perform building inspection activities.
Modern automated and computerized information systems, including use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications; and modern office equipment.
Applicable laws, regulations, codes, and departmental policies governing public works construction projects.
Modern automated and computerized information systems, including use of word processing, databases, permitting software systems, construction monitoring software, Geographical Information System (GIS), Asset Management and spreadsheet applications; and modern office equipment.
Permitting software systems at the proficiency level, i.e., Accela, VPM or other permitting software if applicable to the department.
In addition to Inspector I: Principles and practices of mathematics as applied to construction inspection work.
Methods and techniques of construction inspection.
Principles and techniques of building construction.
Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
Maintenance - Environmental - Occupational hazards and safe working practices pertinent to wastewater collection system maintenance, repair and construction including working around biohazards and in confined spaces.
Ability to: Learn applicable laws, regulations, codes, and departmental policies governing the construction of assigned projects.
Learn to understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications and prepare accurate engineering records.
Detect and locate faulty materials and poor work quality and determine the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
Read, understand, and analyze complex technical information, construction plans, specifications, and maps.
Prepare technical reports.
Learn and apply building related codes enforceable by the City, specifically, the International Building Code, uniform Housing Code, and the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
Learn and apply a variety of zoning, general land use and related codes.
Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes.
Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
Follow verbal and written instructions and directions in an accurate, efficient, and timely manner.
Prepare precise written inspection correction lists and properly complete permit inspection records.
In addition to Inspector I: Interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, codes and departmental policies governing the construction of assigned projects.
Understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications and prepare accurate engineering records.
Conduct complex construction inspections.
Provide training to other staff in an effective manner.
Understand and carry out verbal and written directions.
Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
Enforce State and Municipal Codes under the jurisdiction of the department.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Enforce necessary regulations with firmness, tact, and diplomacy.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Two to six years of increasingly responsible full-time administrative, technical, and operations support experience, depending on level. Exceptions noted below.
Maintenance-Environmental: One year experience in industrial waste inspection OR One year of responsible, journey-level experience in the construction trades or as a contractor in a variety of building construction activities supplemented by building inspection, plan check, and/or relevant specialized training or experience which would provide basic familiarity and knowledge of grease removal devices and associated plumbing fixtures. Experience in a position that included physically screening and inspecting permitted facilities governed by Title 13 of the City of Palmdale's Municipal Code is highly desirable.
High school diploma or G.E.D. or an equivalent combination of education and experience, unless noted below.
Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required.

Nice To Haves

Public Works: Possession of construction-related certificates, such as material testing, safety and OSHA, traffic control, or others, is desirable.
Maintenance - Environmental: Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a CWEA Environmental Compliance Inspector Certification Grade 1 within 1 year of appointment.
Public Works: Possession of construction-related certificates, such as material testing, safety and OSHA, traffic control, or others, is desirable.

Responsibilities

Review plans and specifications of assigned projects; and attend pre-construction conferences, as assigned.
Observe work during progress and upon completion; and ensure that safety procedures are followed.
Monitor, inspect, and approve completion of work done under encroachment permits; and ensure that all specified conditions are met.
Prepare appropriate documentation, paperwork, records, and reports.
Coordinate design alterations between City staff and the developer.
Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Make field inspections of buildings and structures during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with approved plans, specifications and applicable building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical fire and other codes and regulations of the City, county, state and federal agencies.
Inspect existing residential rental units (single and multi-family) for compliance with minimum standards of the Uniform Housing Code.
Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, and a large variety of other complex and routine structural building system elements such as studs, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.
Examine grade, quality, and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition.
Inspect mechanical, solar, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems.
Inspect swimming pool and structural and electrical installations, including setbacks and bonding requirements.
Assure proper installation of exit ways, guardrails and other safety factors.
Conduct a plan review of specifications and engineering data.
Identify and describe work to be covered by permits.
Ascertain or ensure conformance to Uniform Building Code and pertinent provisions of state and county health and environmental ordinances.
Issue permits for work to be performed when assigned.
Interpret building codes and work with builders, property owners, and craftsmen in making changes necessary to conform to codes.
Inspect various structural building systems at various stages of construction alteration and repair to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances, and laws.
Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in building inspection and permitting.
Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in the rental registration program.
Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, equipment, and supplies; monitor and control expenditure.
Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; write performance evaluations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
File complaints and/or issue citations against persons who willfully violate City building code and regulations; testify in court as necessary.
Answer questions and provide information to members of the public; and investigate complaints and recommend corrective actions as necessary to resolve complaints.