Senior Plans Examiner/Building Inspector

City of St. Catharines•St. Catharines, ON

169d•Onsite

About The Position

This position primarily involves inside duties focused on ensuring public safety by examining plans and specifications, particularly for Part 3 buildings. The role also requires the capability to conduct inspections at specific stages of construction, alteration, renovation, and demolition across all building classifications to enforce compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Regulations, and relevant Municipal By-laws for permit issuance and inspection. A secondary focus includes providing guidance on building regulations, investigating violations, issuing orders, and collecting evidence for compliance and violation resolution.

Requirements

Graduate of a three-year community college program in civil, construction engineering, architectural technology, or related discipline.
Achievement of a C.E.T. designation as granted by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technologists and Technicians or the designation of M.A.A.T.O. as granted by the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario.
Qualifications as a Building Inspector as required by the Building Code Act and Regulations in the following categories: General Legal, House, Small Buildings, Large Buildings, Complex Buildings, Building Structural and Plumbing All Buildings and Fire Protection and Detection, Lighting and Power or Building Services.
A Certified Building Code Official as granted by the Ontario Building Officials Association.
Five years practical field and office experience with all types of building construction.
Ability to read and comprehend architectural drawings and site plans.
Basic knowledge of mechanical/electrical systems/structural and site servicing drawings.
Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
Working knowledge of micro-computer systems, including access to and use of Amanda, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, mobile applications, MS Office and Ontario Building Code Information.
Valid Ontario Driver’s licence, Class “G”, with a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

Examine plans and specifications for building safety and energy efficiency in all classifications of buildings (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) with a focus on large and complex buildings to ensure compliance with the Building Code, Municipal By-laws, Regional By-laws, and MOECC regulations.
Issue permits for building, demolition, change of use, signs, and occupancy permits, and recommend occupancy levels for Liquor Licences.
Discuss complicated issues with owners, tenants, contractors, and designers, and coordinate reviews from other disciplines (fire, plumbing, HVAC) to meet legislated timelines.
Inspect the construction, alteration, renovation, and demolition of buildings in all classifications at specific stages, with a focus on large and complex buildings, to enforce compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Regulations and relevant Municipal and Regional By-laws.
Initiate enforcement of Building Regulations and Municipal By-laws, address safety concerns, gather evidence, issue notices/orders for contraventions, and prepare prosecutions if compliance is not met.
Respond to and rectify immediate response situations such as building fires, cars through buildings, marijuana grow operations, and other Building Code safety complaints.
Provide functional and technical advice on potential building code concerns (e.g., limiting distance, exits, accessibility) and applicable law approvals.
Provide functional and technical guidance to Building and Administrative Staff, and assist the Chief Building Official, Manager of Plans Examination, and Manager of Inspections.
Answer inquiries, explain building regulations, and provide guidance to applicants, owners, contractors, and designers on potential delays due to necessary applicable law requirements (e.g., site plan approval, NPCA, MOECC, MTO), assisting to streamline approvals.
Analyze unique situations and recommend methods of compliance with the Building Code, Regulations, and Municipal By-laws.
Liaise with officials, agencies, contractors, designers (Engineers, Architects, etc.), and property owners as necessary.