General Statement of Duties

Performs inspection work to secure compliance with building, electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical systems codes. Works under the direction and supervision of an Inspections Field Supervisor.

Distinguishing Features of The Class

An employee in this class specializes in performing building, electrical, or plumbing, mechanical, and heating inspections. Work involves inspecting residential and commercial construction, renovations, additions, mobile homes and existing buildings to certify that work – electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, and associated materials and methods are following applicable codes. The employee has the responsibility for securing compliance with regulations when violations are found. Considerable tact, courtesy and firmness are required as the employee works independently in the field and has constant contact with contractors, property owners and the public. Work is performed under the general supervision of an Inspections Field Supervisor and is reviewed for proper interpretation and enforcement of applicable laws and code requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Building Inspection Duties

Inspect buildings during and after construction including footings, structural framing, design, materials, detail arrangement and workmanship to determine compliance with building and land use law.
Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with building, zoning and other public safety laws.
Discusses conditions found with owner or builder and explains importance of adjusting conditions voluntarily; conducts follow-up inspections and notes made; recommends formal actions for non-compliance, when necessary.
Maintains records of inspections and prepares related reports.

Electrical Inspections Duties

Inspect new and existing wiring and electrical installations in residences, businesses and other buildings for conformance with safety standards, codes and ordinances, issues electrical inspection certificates for approved installations.
Inspects electrical installations during construction and examines completed installations for workmanship and proper use of materials.
Discusses conditions found with owner or builder and explains importance of adjusting conditions voluntarily; conducts follow-up inspections and notes made; recommends formal actions for non-compliance, when necessary.
Checks plans and specifications for proposed electrical installations to ensure that pertinent codes and ordinances have been rigidly followed.
Maintains records of inspections and prepares related reports.

Plumbing and Heating Inspection Duties

Inspects heating and plumbing installations and fixtures on new or remodeled construction sites and examines for workmanship and use of proper materials; notifies responsible parties of defects found and re-inspects to determine if corrective measures have been made.
Discusses conditions found with owner or builder and explains importance of adjusting conditions voluntarily; conducts follow-up inspections and notes made; recommends formal actions for non-compliance, when necessary.
Advises plumbers, contractors, and others regarding county plumbing and heating regulations and codes.
Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with plumbing, heating and cooling requirements.
Maintains records of inspections and prepares related reports.

Recruitment Standards
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of the methods and procedures involved in the installation and maintenance of plumbing, heating and cooling systems or electrical wiring.
Considerable knowledge of modern building construction practices, methods, and materials and of the stages of construction where possible violations and defects may be most easily observed and corrected.
Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local codes and regulations pertaining to building, electrical, and plumbing and heating inspections and to the employee's level of certification in each area.
Ability to detect and locate defective workmanship in electrical and plumbing and heating systems and in building construction.
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications and to compare them with work while in progress.
Ability to express code requirements clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to deal tactfully and firmly with contractors, property owners and the public.

Minimum Education and Experience

Building Inspector Trainee($49,285.00 - $57,909.00)

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and three years of experience in at least one of the specified building trades (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and heating) areas. Must possess Probationary Level I State Inspection Certificate in at least one of the specified trade areas and a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Building Inspector I($52,735.00 - $61,963.00)

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and three years of experience in at least one of the specified building trades (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and heating) areas. Must possess a Level I State Inspection Certificate in at least one of the specified trade areas and a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Building Inspector II ($56,426.00 - $66,301.00)

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and four years of experience in at least one of the specified building trades (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and heating) areas, including at least threeyears of inspections experience. Must possess a Level II State Inspection Certificate in at least one of the specified trade areas and a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Building Inspector III (Senior) ($59,118.00 - $70,942.00)

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and five years of experience in at least one of the specified building trades (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and heating) areas, including at least five years of inspections experience. Must possess a Level III State Inspection Certificate in at least one of the specified trade areas and a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

*Building Inspector I can progress to Building Inspector II when the employee has met the minimum qualifications for the Building Inspector II level. Building Inspector II can progress to Building Inspector III when the employee has met the minimum qualifications for the Building Inspector III level. In addition, the employee must be at a performance level of “meets expectations” or above. *

Physical Demands

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Working Conditions

Work is both sedentary (typical of an office environment) and non-sedentary which includes activities of walking, standing, climbing, and moving about over uneven terrain at construction sites.

Driving is Essential
Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.

Guilford County

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Mechanical and Plumbing Inspector (Building Inspector III)