Plumbing Inspector (Inspections)

City Of Jonesboro•Jonesboro, AR

9d•$38,000 - $46,000•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Jonesboro is seeking a knowledgeable and dependable Plumbing Inspector to join its Inspections Department. This role involves performing residential and commercial plumbing inspections, interpreting plumbing codes, collaborating with contractors and property owners, and ensuring construction adheres to City and code requirements. The position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt, reporting to the Chief Building Official. It is a safety-sensitive position located at City Hall.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, plus five years of progressively responsible experience in plumbing construction, plumbing installation, plumbing inspection, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Considerable knowledge of plumbing construction methods, materials, equipment, practices, and applicable plumbing codes is required.
Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with contractors, plumbers, property owners, developers, general public, City employees, and other individuals.
Ability to explain technical code requirements in a clear and understandable manner.
Ability to prepare accurate written inspection reports, correction notices, correspondence, and other documentation.
Ability to communicate professionally when dealing with disagreements concerning code interpretations, inspection results, and required corrections.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to calculate measurements, pipe sizes, slopes, dimensions, percentages, ratios, and related plumbing requirements.
Ability to interpret and apply mathematical information contained in construction plans, specifications, tables, charts, and code requirements.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable plumbing codes, ordinances, regulations, plans, specifications, and inspection procedures.
Ability to recognize unsafe or noncompliant plumbing conditions and determine the appropriate corrective action.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, blueprint, and construction plan formats.
Valid Arkansas Driver License.
State of Arkansas Plumbing Inspector Certificate of Competency or the ability to obtain and maintain the required Plumbing Inspector certification within the period established by the City and applicable state requirements.
The employee must maintain all licenses, certifications, and continuing education required by the State of Arkansas to perform plumbing inspection duties.
Basic to intermediate computer skills.
Ability to use Microsoft Office applications, electronic permitting and inspection software, email, internet-based research tools, mobile inspection applications, and other software necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Performs duties independently using established policies, procedures, codes, ordinances, and professional practices.
Must recognize unusual or potentially unsafe conditions and determine an appropriate course of action within established authority.
The position requires initiative in researching code requirements, resolving inspection questions, communicating deficiencies, and coordinating with contractors and other City personnel.
Under general supervision where standard practice enables the employee to proceed alone on routine work, referring questionable, unusual, or complex matters to the Chief Building Official.
The employee is expected to exercise independent judgment in conducting inspections and determining compliance with applicable requirements.
Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and sequence of performance of own work.
Plans daily inspection activities based on scheduled inspections, construction progress, re-inspections, complaints, and other priorities.
Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor importance and regular opportunity for decision-making of moderate importance.
Work requires close and continuous attention to construction details, measurements, plans, code requirements, inspection procedures, and safety conditions.
The position requires intermittent direct thinking to determine the most appropriate method of handling unusual or technically complex plumbing situations.
Fairly broad activities using established codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, and professional standards with general supervisory guidance.
Requires the ability to apply technical knowledge to varied construction conditions and determine whether plumbing installations comply with applicable requirements.
Requires the ability to identify the source of deficiencies and communicate practical corrective measures.
The position does not normally have direct supervisory responsibility for other employees but may provide technical guidance to contractors, plumbers, inspectors, and other personnel regarding applicable plumbing requirements.
Occasionally responsible for City's property, equipment, vehicles, computers, inspection equipment, and other assigned materials where carelessness or error could result in moderate damage or monetary loss to the organization.
The position may be responsible for inspection equipment and other City property with a combined value ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.
Probable errors of internal and external scope would have a moderate effect on the operational efficiency of the organizational component concerned.
Errors in interpreting codes, conducting inspections, documenting violations, or approving noncompliant work could result in additional construction costs, delays, unsafe conditions, public complaints, enforcement problems, liability, or loss of public confidence.
The possibility of error is always present due to the technical requirements and independent judgment required by the position.
Responsible for accurately performing plumbing inspections, identifying violations, documenting inspection results, communicating requirements, and applying applicable codes and ordinances consistently.
Failure to perform duties accurately could affect public safety, construction quality, City enforcement activities, and compliance with state and local requirements.
Accepted processes are covered by established codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, and inspection standards.
The employee exercises independent judgment within established guidelines and refers unusual or significant matters to the Chief Building Official.
The amount of annual dollars generated based on the job's essential duties and responsibilities includes direct dollar generation, departmental budget, proper handling of organization funds, expense control, and savings from new techniques or reduction in manpower.
The position does not directly generate substantial revenue but contributes to proper permit administration, code compliance, construction quality, and avoidance of costs associated with improper or noncompliant construction.
The position has a direct impact on the City's ability to enforce plumbing codes, protect public health and safety, maintain construction standards, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
The position provides specialized inspection services that support the City's overall building and development functions.
Regular contact with contractors, licensed plumbers, subcontractors, property owners, developers, businesses, and members of the general public, both in the office and in the field.
Contacts frequently involve explaining technical requirements, resolving disagreements, communicating deficiencies, and providing information regarding permits and inspections.
Lack of tact, judgment, or consistency may result in complaints, disputes, delays, or problems for the organization.
Contacts of considerable importance within the department and with other City departments and offices.
Requires coordination with the Chief Building Official, building inspectors, electrical inspectors, HVAC inspectors, fire personnel, engineering personnel, zoning personnel, permitting staff, and other City employees.
Requires tact and judgment when discussing inspection findings, code interpretations, construction deficiencies, and recommendations.
Regular use of a desktop or laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, electronic permitting and inspection software, printer, scanner, calculator, camera, measuring devices, inspection tools, testing equipment, and City vehicle.
May use ladders, flashlights, moisture or pressure testing equipment, and other tools associated with plumbing inspection activities.
Outside working environment, wherein the employee is regularly exposed to variable and potentially disagreeable working conditions, including construction sites, unfinished buildings, extreme temperatures, dust, mud, moisture, noise, and other conditions associated with construction activities.
The employee may be required to enter confined, unfinished, elevated, or otherwise difficult-to-access areas during inspections.

Nice To Haves

Experience interpreting construction plans, specifications, and plumbing drawings is preferred.
Experience as a licensed plumber or plumbing contractor is preferred.
Arkansas Master Plumber License.
Additional Arkansas plumbing or natural gas inspection certifications.
ICC plumbing inspection certification or equivalent nationally recognized inspection certification.
Additional building, mechanical, electrical, or code enforcement certifications.

Responsibilities

Conducts on-site plumbing inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and other permitted construction projects to determine compliance with applicable plumbing codes, ordinances, approved plans, and permit requirements.
Inspects plumbing systems and components, including water supply systems, sanitary drainage systems, storm drainage systems, vent systems, fixtures, piping, sewer connections, backflow prevention devices, and related plumbing equipment.
Performs inspections at various stages of construction, including underground, rough-in, top-out, pressure testing, and final inspections.
Reviews plumbing plans, specifications, permit applications, and related construction documents for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Interprets and explains applicable plumbing codes, ordinances, regulations, and City requirements to contractors, plumbers, property owners, developers, and the general public.
Identifies plumbing code violations and notifies contractors, plumbers, subcontractors, property owners, and other responsible parties of required corrections.
Verifies that required plumbing permits have been obtained before regulated work begins and that work is performed in accordance with approved permits.
Verifies applicable plumber and contractor licensing requirements and reports suspected licensing violations to the appropriate authority.
Conducts re-inspections to determine whether previously identified plumbing violations have been corrected.
Performs final plumbing inspections and determines whether work meets applicable requirements for approval.
Inspects existing plumbing systems when required in connection with renovations, additions, alterations, complaints, code enforcement matters, or other City activities.
Investigates complaints involving plumbing installations, unsafe conditions, code violations, illegal plumbing work, or other plumbing-related matters.
Coordinates with building, electrical, HVAC, fire, zoning, engineering, and other inspection personnel when construction activities involve multiple areas of code compliance.
Issues correction notices and other documentation related to plumbing code violations and inspection deficiencies in accordance with established City procedures.
Maintains accurate records of inspections, permits, violations, correction notices, photographs, correspondence, and other information associated with plumbing inspection activities.
Enters inspection results, permit information, correction notices, and other information into the City's electronic permitting and inspection systems.
Answers telephone, email, and in-person inquiries from contractors, plumbers, property owners, developers, and members of the public concerning plumbing permits, inspections, and code requirements.
Provides technical assistance and information to other City employees regarding plumbing construction, code requirements, inspection procedures, and related matters.
Participates in meetings, training programs, continuing education, and professional development activities necessary to maintain required certifications and remain current with changes to applicable codes and regulations.
Testifies or provides documentation concerning inspection findings, code violations, permits, or enforcement actions when required.
Operates a City vehicle to travel to construction sites, inspection locations, meetings, and other locations necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Performs any other related duties as required or assigned.