GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs inspections of residential or commercial buildings and related systems to ensure compliance with applicable building codes and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public; performs related work as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
Works under the general supervision of the Building Inspector II; does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
This is the entry level in the Building Inspector job series. This class may be distinguished from the higher (Senior Building Inspector) level by the complexity and difficulty of work performed and by the absence of supervisory responsibilities.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
- Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with the provisions of standard building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, handicapped accessibility codes, and other applicable federal, state and local codes, regulations and standards; researches code-related issues in code books as needed; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
- Follows daily inspection schedules and travel routes to achieve maximum efficiency and ensure completion of scheduled inspections; drives to construction/property sites to conduct inspections and related work activities.
- Reviews building plans, plan revisions, specifications, engineering reports, electrical diagrams, or other documents in association with inspection activities; reviews files to identify inactive, revoked, or expired building permits.
- Conducts site inspections of residential/commercial buildings/properties (including construction work, remodeling work, building systems, and premises) for compliance with applicable codes, specifications, and approved construction plans.
- Inspects construction alteration, demolition, use, and occupancy of buildings and premises to verify structural strength, stability, solid waste, adequate lighting, ventilation, and safety to life/property from fire and other hazards; inspects electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and related building systems.
- Inspects heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; inspects building foundations, slabs, masonry, footing, and framing; inspects quality of construction methods, materials, and workmanship; verifies contractor licensure and proper permitting of construction work.
- Determines whether buildings/systems pass or fail inspections; identifies code violations, deficiencies, hazardous conditions, structural failures, or improper uses; explains violations, recommends corrective actions, and advises of changes required for code compliance; issues notices to comply or stop work orders as appropriate; reports deficiencies, failed inspections, violations, and deviations from codes/plans to supervisor, contractors or other individuals as appropriate.
- Performs joint inspections with Los Angeles County Health Department and other county or state agencies.
- Prepares and maintains accurate records of inspection activities; enters inspection data into computer.
- Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, mentoring sheets, checklists, inspection reports, utility release forms/tags, notices to comply, stop work orders, Certificates of Occupancy, drawings, or other documents.
- Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, routing sheets, building plans, architectural drawings, blueprints, engineer reports, schematics, specifications, plan revisions, photographs, product information, technical reports/articles, street maps, codes, reference materials or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
- Operates a motor vehicle, personal computer, general office equipment, measuring devices, camera, ladder, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including the use of word processing, database, e-mail, Internet or other computer programs.
- Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
- Exhibits a service orientation toward customers and maintains productive working relationships.
- Coordinates inspection activities with other inspectors, other departments, property owners, contractors, utility companies or other individuals; communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, plan reviewers, property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, utility companies, local or state agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information or resolve problems.
- Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, and standards; maintains an awareness of new methods, materials and trends in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional certifications; attends seminars, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.
- Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.
- Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
- Proficiency in computer software.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Minimum Qualifications
High School diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by vocational/technical training in general building construction, construction trades, and a variety of building inspection specialties; AND three (3) years building trades experience; OR one (1) year experience as a building inspector; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Licenses Or Certifications:
- Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
- Prior to the completion of the probationary period, one or more International Code Council (ICC) (or equivalent) certification(s) from the general inspection category such as Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Electrical Inspector or any combination thereof including Residential Combination Inspector.
- Minimum of 5 year of construction experience as Journeyman / Tradesman
Required Knowledge Of:
- City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
- ICC, state and local building and safety codes and regulations.
- Planning and zoning ordinances and regulations, and rules of civil procedure.
- Methods, procedures and techniques for evaluating technical compliance.
- Other government regulatory agencies and specialized sources of building safety information.
- Principles and practices of the construction industry and building trades.
- Occupational hazards and safety precautions.
Required Skill In:
- Interpreting and applying statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations.
- Interpreting building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and zoning regulations, and comparing them with engineering drawings, plans, maps and specifications.
- Checking details, estimates, plans, and specifications of projects.
- Detecting deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
- Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
- Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
- Effective communication, both verbal and written.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, contractors and the public.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
- Work is performed primarily outdoors with considerable time spent in moderate temperatures (80 to 90 degrees).
- Work will require frequent stretching, bending, climbing ladders and crawling.
- Work will require excellent color discrimination and vision.
- On occasion exposure to wet surfaces, large amounts of dust and exposure to hazardous materials.
Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts
EXAMINATION
The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.
Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment.
The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.
GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS
The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.
ELIGIBLE LISTS
Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).
Please Note:
All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.
Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.
EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).
EXAMINATION RECORDS
All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.
Fringe Benefits
The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.
The City of Compton offers an excellent benefits program which includes membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); family-covered insurances: dental, health, vision; life insurance (for employee only); Employee Assistance Program; auto allowance; seven personal leave days; 15 holidays (including birthday); vacation; sick leave; bereavement leave; educational reimbursement; personal development; deferred compensation; 4/10 work week. The City also pays the employee's 8% share (9% for Fire personnel only) of contribution towards retirement.
Retirement:
Employees hired after January 1, 2013, who are new to CalPERS, or are returning members with a break in service greater than six months, will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 retirement plan and will be required to pay up to 50% (currently 6.5%) of the normal PERS cost.
Dental:
The City pays 100% of the full family monthly premium towards the HMO dental insurance plan.
Health:
The City pays 100% of the full family monthly premium based at Kaiser's Los Angeles area rates. Employees selecting health plans with higher monthly premiums than Kaiser Los Angeles area will incur out-of-pocket costs.
Vision:
The City offers a voluntary vision insurance plan.
Life:
The City pays 100% of the monthly premium for employee only towards $45,000 life insurance coverage.
Employee Assistance Program:
Provides confidential counseling, education and referral for work and life issues at no cost to the employee; subject to program provisions.
Personal Leave Days:
Employees are allowed to designate up to three (3) days or 24 hours of accrued sick leave as personal leave per calendar year.
Holidays:
Fifteen (15) per fiscal year which include: Independence Day, Labor Day, Admissions Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Day (day following), Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, Employee's Birthday, Cesar Chavez Day
Sick:
Employees accrue eight hours of sick leave per month.
Bereavement:
Three working days (or five working days for out of State services) per incident for the death of an immediate family member: spouse, father, current father-in-law, mother, current mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-mother, step-father, step-son and step-daughter).
Educational Reimbursement:
Employees receive up to $2,000 per fiscal year for job-related courses.
Deferred Compensation:
4/10 Work Week: The City of Compton observes a 4/10 work week schedule: Monday – Thursday: 7:00 a. m. – 6:00 p. m. We are closed each Friday.
01
Do you possess a High School diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by vocational/technical training in general building construction, construction trades, and a variety of building inspection specialties?
02
Do you possess three (3) years building trades experience; OR one (1) year experience as a building inspector; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience? (Note: your application must highlight this experience)
03
Do you possess a valid California Class C Driver's License?
04
Do you hold 5 years or more of construction experience as a Journeyman / Tradesman?
05
This brings you to the end of your application. Before submitting your application, please make sure you have done the following: 1. Read the entire job description and understand the position you are applying for. 2. Read the Minimum Qualifications and clearly state your relevant experience and education on your application; including any licenses and/or certificates if applicable. (Note: resumes will not be reviewed in lieu of a completed application.) 3. Attach any proof of education, licenses and/or certificates if applicable. 4. Completed all sections of the application and answered all questions thoroughly.
- I certify that I have read this notice and understand the instructions provided.
- Required Question