We are looking for a qualified, experienced individual to grow a career with the City of Grand Forks in our Building Safety Department. This position, depending on qualifications and experience could be hired as a Building Inspector, Construction Inspector, or a Senior Building Inspector. This position will work to perform new and existing building, housing and sign inspections of residential and commercial dwellings; enforce compliance with building and sign codes, regulations and ordinances; provide education and information to building/home owners, contractors, engineers, etc. on the national and local safety standards, codes and laws including application procedures; to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Below you will find the three job descriptions for each position to be able to see where your skills and abilities align.

Building Inspector:

DEFINITION

To perform new and existing building, housing and sign inspections of residential and commercial dwellings and enforces compliance with building and sign codes, regulations and ordinances; provide education and information to building/home owners, contractors, engineers, etc. on the national and local safety standards, codes and laws including application procedures; to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES --Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Inspect new and existing residential and commercial dwellings for compliance with standard, adopted codes and laws and city standards; confer with other City agencies and officials regarding inspection issues.

2. Identify dwellings that are unfit for habitation; issue notices to correct hazardous conditions; issue building permits and certificates of occupancy for completion of required corrections.

3. Verify construction and placement of signs with applicable codes and ordinances; issue sign hangar licenses and permits.

4. Collaborate with contractors and other City agencies to accomplish better code compliance; make recommendations to existing codes and ordinances.

5. Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office in a professional and customer service orientated manner; explain and interpret building requirements and restrictions. Serve as liaison for assigned department with outside officials and City agencies.

6. Examine plans and specifications of new residential and light commercial construction/remodel projects to determine compliance with the provisions of applicable construction codes, ordinances and regulations.

7. Maintain files and reports regarding inspection and plan check activities and findings.

8. Resolve inspection issues and concerns raised by contractors and other outside parties; meet with involved parties to resolve and make recommendations to resolve concerns.

9. Respond to public inquiries in a courteous, timely manner, provide information on all aspects of the inspections performed; resolve complaints and secure compliance on violations in a timely and efficient manner.

10. Compute, verify fees for and issue sign, building, and other permits as assigned by department leadership

11. Review new codes and ordinances in the building and zoning fields; maintain awareness of changes in other related fields.

12. Compiles data and prepares required documents and records and reports regarding inspection activities, individual compliance issues, etc.

13. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the building construction and inspection fields.

14. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required by department leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: Building construction techniques, methods and materials;Operations, services and functions of a comprehensive building inspection program; Principles and techniques of building inspection; Housing, sign and building codes and requirements; Pertinent Federal, State and local codes and ordinances governing building construction and zoning; Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial and residential buildings.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Compute mathematical questions such as load requirements, material spans, fees and payments; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work in a professional and customer service orientated manner; Recognize, assess and solve conflicts or problems; Maintain mental capacity, which allows for effective interaction and communication with others; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Abilities: Interpret and enforce building, housing, zoning and sign codes and regulations; Determine if construction systems conform to City Code requirements; Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; Identify hazardous conditions in construction projects; Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software applications; Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Supervisory Controls:

The supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines:

Guidelines include ICC Building codes, North Dakota State Standards, adopted city codes and ordinances. and city and department policies and procedures. The guidelines require judgment selection, and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work:

The work consists of varied plan review, building inspection, and code enforcement duties. Strict codes combined with the unique nature of each property contributes to the complexity of the position.

The purpose of this position is to perform building inspections in order to enforce applicable codes. Success in this position contributes to the enforcement of building codes and ordinances and to the safety of life and property.

Contacts:

Contacts are typically with co?workers, other department personnel, builders, developers, contractors, and members of the general public.

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify or defend matters.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Construction site environment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals; inspect around heavy construction equipment; exposure to potentially dangerous situations with continuous risks; Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for; bending over, stooping, kneeling, crawling, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible building construction experience or equivalent.

Training:

Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in construction/engineering or applied science.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an appropriate valid driver's license.

Typical Qualifications:

Construction Inspector:

DEFINITION

To perform a variety of advanced building inspection and plans examining work; to enforce compliance with building codes, regulations and ordinances; and to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES --Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Plan and carry out own on-site inspections to ensure construction materials and techniques comply with building code requirements; issue Stop Work Orders as delegated.

2. Identify structures that are unfit for habitation; issue notices to correct hazardous conditions; assist in specific design revisions for the achievement of code compliance.

3. Confirm all approved site plan requirements; verify completeness of installation, quality of workmanship and assembly of building structures and equipment.

4. Examine plans and specifications of new construction additions and alterations to residential and commercial buildings to determine compliance with the provisions of the construction codes, ordinances and regulations.

5. Confer with and advise architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret building code requirements and restrictions. Inform contractors of requirements for license requirements.

6. Resolve inspection and plan review issues and concerns raised between outside parties in a timely manner and inform leadership; meet with involved parties to review and confirm issues to resolve concerns.

7. Maintain a variety of records on inspection activities and operations; prepare analytical and statistical reports.

8. Act as delegated department representative when warranted; respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

9. Conduct commercial and residential plan review and inspection work.

10. Compute and verify fees for various charges and permits; building. And others as assigned by department leadership

11. Assist property owners with flood plain issues and requirements.

12. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required by department leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive building inspection program; All types of building construction methods, practices, materials, and standards; Stages of construction where possible violations and defects may be detected and corrected; methods and techniques of building inspection; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices; Federal, State and local laws, codes and ordinances governing general building construction and zoning; Complex principles and techniques of building inspection and plans examination work; Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics; Major types of building construction, materials and methods; Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial and residential buildings.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Operate office equipment including computers and supporting accessories for electronic drawing review.

Abilities: Independently perform the most difficult building inspections; Interpret, explain and enforce applicable building and zoning codes; Prepare clear and concise reports; Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes; Determine if construction systems conform to City Code requirements; Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations and standard construction practices; Make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately; Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact; Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Supervisory Controls:

The supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines:

Guidelines include ICC building codes, North Dakota State Standards, adopted city codes and ordinances. and city and department policies and procedures. The guidelines require judgment selection, and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work:

The work consists of varied plan review, construction inspection, and code enforcement duties. Strict codes combined with the unique nature of each property contributes to the complexity of the position.

The purpose of this position is to perform construction inspections in order to enforce applicable codes. Success in this position contributes to the enforcement of building codes and ordinances and to the safety of life and property.

Contacts:

Contacts are typically with co?workers, other department personnel, builders, developers, contractors, and members of the general public.

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify or defend matters.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Construction site environment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, hazardous chemicals, potentially hostile environments; inspect around heavy construction equipment, underground, in confined spaces or at heights on scaffolding and ladders, exposure to potentially dangerous situations with continuous risks; Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible building construction experience or equivalent experience

Training:

Equivalent to an Associates degree from an accredited college or school with major course work in architecture, engineering or a related field.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid ICC Residential Building inspector's Certificate and ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certificate within first 6 months of employment.

Supplemental Information:

Senior Building Inspector:

DEFINITION

To perform a variety of the most advanced new and existing building inspections and plan reviews of residential and commercial buildings and enforces compliance with building, regulations and ordinances; provide education and information to building/homeowners, contractors, engineers, etc. on national and local safety standards, codes and laws including application procedures; to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES --Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Plan and carry out independent on-site inspections to ensure construction materials and techniques comply with standard, adopted codes and laws and city standards; has the discretion to issue Stop Work Orders upon approval from Deputy Building Official.

2. Identify structures that are unfit for habitation; issue notices to correct hazardous conditions; assist in specific design revisions for the achievement of code compliance.

3. Confirm all approved site plan requirements; verify completeness of installation, assembly of building structures and equipment.

4. Examine plans and specifications of new construction, additions and alterations to residential and commercial buildings to determine compliance with the provisions of adopted codes, ordinances and regulations.

5. Confer with and advise architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office in a professional and customer service oriented manner; explain and interpret building code requirements and restrictions. Inform and guide contractors through licensing requirements.

6. Review and evaluate new building codes and ordinances; recommend revisions to existing codes.

7. Resolve inspection and plan review issues in a timely manner and inform leadership meet with involved parties to resolve concerns.

8. Maintain a variety of records on inspection activities and operations; prepare analytical and statistical reports.

9. Participate in public speaking engagements and presentations on building construction issues and

information.

10. Act as delegated department representative when warranted; respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

11. Conduct the most complex and involved commercial and residential plan review and inspection work and exercise independent discretion per policy from department leadership when carrying out such activities.

12. Compute and verify for various charges and permits; building. And others as delegated from department leadership.

13. Compiles data and prepares required documents and records regarding inspection activities, individual compliance issues, etc.

14. Assist property owners with flood plain issues and requirements.

15. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required by department leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: Building construction techniques, methods and materials; Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive building inspection program; All types of building construction methods, practices, materials, and standards; Stages of construction where possible violations and defects may be detected and corrected; Advanced methods and techniques of building inspection; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices; Federal, State and local laws, codes and ordinances governing general building construction and zoning; Complex principles and techniques of building inspection and plans examination work; Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics; Major types of building construction, materials and methods; Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial and residential buildings.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Compute mathematical questions such as load requirements, material spans, fees, payments; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work in a professional and customer service orientated manner; Recognize, assess, and solve conflicts and problems; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Operate office equipment including computers and supporting accessories for electronic drawing review.

Abilities: Independently perform the most difficult building inspections; Interpret, explain and enforce applicable building and zoning codes; Prepare clear and concise reports; Read and interpret complex building plans, specifications and building codes; Determine if construction systems conform to City Code requirements; Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations and standard construction practices; Make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately; Enforce necessary regulations with professionalism, firmness, and tact; Build credibility and rapport with builders and contractors based on technical experience and trade knowledge; Provide training and work direction to others; Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Supervisory Controls:

The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines:

Complexity/Scope of Work:

The work consists of varied plan review, building inspection, and code enforcement duties. Strict codes combined with the unique nature of each property contributes to the complexity of the position.

Contacts:

Contacts are typically with co?workers, other department personnel, builders, developers, contractors, and members of the general public.

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify or defend matters.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of specialized/technical training in building inspections or related field or a combination of 5 years of technical training and construction experience.

Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, engineering or a related field.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year an ICC Building Plans Examiner Certification

Possession of or ability to obtain within one year an ICC Building Inspector Certification

*Note both Residential and Commercial must be obtained for the above requirements*

City of Grand Forks (ND)

New Jobs

Building Inspector - Construction Inspector - Building Inspector, Senior