Senior Building Inspector

City of Santa Ana•Santa Ana, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, this role inspects building construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical installations. It involves performing plan checks, inspections, and testing of new and existing commercial, industrial, and residential structures throughout all phases of construction, alteration, and repair to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal building and housing codes. The position requires examining plans, blueprints, and specifications, and conducting field inspections to verify compliance. Responsibilities include inspecting complex residential structures, structural systems, special occupancies, life safety features, and various building components (structural, architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, green building, and energy). The role also involves verifying certificates of occupancy, responding to citizen complaints, issuing citations, preparing criminal complaint files, mediating disputes, and utilizing current technology for daily duties, including permitting and inspections software, field hardware, and GIS. Additionally, the position requires preparing reports, maintaining records, operating office equipment and vehicles, and promoting excellent customer service. May involve appearing in administrative hearings and court as an expert witness.

Requirements

Three years of experience as a journey-level, lead person, or superintendent in building construction work; or two years of building inspection experience for a public agency.
Possession and retention of a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.
International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Residential Combination Inspector or Commercial Combination Inspector is required prior to completion of the probationary work test period.
Knowledge of current codes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to building construction.
Knowledge of standard practices, current methods, and materials used in building construction.
Knowledge of principles and techniques of inspection work.
Knowledge of current office software applications, such as Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Skill in the integration, application, and utilization of current technology, including but not limited to, permitting and inspections software; field hardware, such as hand-held computer devices; communications software and devices; the use and application of geographic information systems that integrate, store, edit, analyze, share, and display geographic information, such as GIS; and the utilization of current office software applications, such as but not limited to, Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Ability to read and interpret construction blueprints, plans, and specifications.
Ability to understand and make building construction computations.
Ability to perform effective inspections.
Ability to recognize construction practices which do not conform to code standards, acceptable practices, and/or proposed plans.
Ability to organize and present thoughts and ideas tactfully, courteously, and effectively in written and oral form.
Ability to keep required records in an organized manner.
Ability to remain calm when interacting with irate members of the public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, architects, contractors, engineers, owners, other employees, and the general public in a culturally diverse community.

Nice To Haves

Additional ICC certification in any inspection discipline is highly desirable.
Certification as a Certified Accessibility Specialist (CASp) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Examines plans, blueprints, and specifications for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings and miscellaneous structures; and performs field inspections to determine compliance with applicable codes and laws relating to new and existing construction.
Inspects complex single and multi-family residential structures.
Inspects complex structural systems comprised of various building materials, including but not limited to, concrete, masonry, steel, timber, glass, and composite construction.
Inspects complex and special occupancies; various types of construction; life safety features, such as fire and smoke protection systems; means of egress; and accessibility.
Inspects structural, architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, green building, and energy building components.
Inspects and verifies certificates of occupancy.
Climbs up and down scaffolding and other objects; and crawls under buildings and other structures.
Makes judgments as to the acceptability of construction work.
Provides professional advice and technical assistance to developers, architects, contractors, engineers, homeowners, city staff, and the general public; and refers to other agencies for assistance and/or information.
Responds to citizen complaints; issues citations; and prepares criminal complaint files.
Mediates disputes between inspectors and customers.
Utilizes current technology in the normal course and scope of daily duties, including but not limited to, permitting and inspections software; field hardware, such as hand-held computer devices; communications software and devices; and information systems that integrate, store, edit, analyze, share, and displays geographic information.
Utilizes current standard office software applications to prepare reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence.
Prepares correction notices, comprehensive reports, public handouts, and other related documents.
Maintains up-to-date and accurate records, as required.
Operates office equipment and vehicles during the course and scope of their duties.
Promotes and provides excellent customer service.
May appear in administrative hearings and in court as an expert witness.
Performs other duties as assigned.