Building Inspector / Plans Reviewer

City of Gig Harbor•Gig Harbor, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Building Inspector/Plans Reviewer, you’ll play a vital role in helping ensure that the buildings and developments taking shape in our community are safe, code-compliant, and built to last. This position offers a unique blend of technical expertise, field work, and public service, with the opportunity to work directly with property owners, contractors, designers, developers, and community members throughout the construction process. From reviewing plans at a desk to walking active construction sites, you’ll bring codes and standards to life while helping projects move forward and supporting responsible growth in Gig Harbor. If you’re someone who enjoys solving problems, working with people, and seeing the tangible results of your work in the community, we’d love to hear from you.

Requirements

Knowledge of all aspects of building construction materials and methods.
Knowledge of building, fire, plumbing, mechanical & energy codes.
Knowledge of the legal aspects of code enforcement.
Ability to communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, verbally in-person and by phone, and in writing.
Ability to work with others to ensure effective collaboration, communication, public relations, and diplomacy.
Ability to work in a manner that ensures balanced application of confidentiality and transparency, organization of work, consistency with decision-making methodology, application of sound problem-solving technique, follow-through, and completion of work.
Ability to follow-through on assignments in a timely, effective, and efficient manner.
Ability to effectively use oral and written communication to convey information to the public and to prepare technical papers and reports for city staff, administration, and council use.
Ability to use a computer for preparing documents, keeping records, data entry, e-mail communication, and accessing information from the internet.
Ability to create and maintain an effective working relationship with the public, development community, city employees and officials and other allied agency personnel.
Ability to perform effectively in high stress, emergency, and time critical situations.
Ability to identify and execute improvement opportunities.
Ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, and calculations related to building, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and ventilation systems and relate them to actual site conditions.
Ability to read and interpret code provisions and their intent in a rational and consistent manner.
Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment such as a hardhat, rain and snow gear, boots, goggles, gloves, knee pads, respiratory and ear protection as needed.
High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work experience in construction plan review and/or inspection of construction projects.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
International Code Council (ICC) certification as a building plans examiner or building inspector; one certification required upon hire, with both the building plans examiner and building inspector certifications required within one year of hire.
A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and at least two years of driving experience.
A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.
Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.

Nice To Haves

Experience with construction software, such as Bluebeam preferred.

Responsibilities

The building inspector/plans reviewer is responsible for plan review and inspection of construction projects and enforcement of construction codes adopted as Chapter 15 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code.
The incumbent assures that plans and projects comply with the city’s codes and ordinances for building, fire, plumbing, mechanical, energy, ventilation, and indoor air quality.
Consults with the public, designers, developers, and others from the construction industry about code requirements before, during and after the construction process.
Reviews plans, specifications, calculations, and other documents for compliance with code requirements.
Inspects work to verify compliance with adopted codes, approved plans, and specifications.
Performs field inspections of construction work to verify compliance with code requirements, approved plans, and specifications.
Investigates work being conducted without an approved permit and issues stop work orders for such work when appropriate.
Prepares clear, concise requests for additional information, correction reports, and inspection notes on projects under review and construction.
Maintains accurate reports and records of plan review and inspection activities.
May support in leading part-time, temporary, or intern personnel within the division.
Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.