Job Abstract

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

To oversee, schedule, and coordinate the field inspection activities of the Building Division; to inspect the more complex structural building systems at various stages of construction, alteration and repair; to ensure conformance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances and laws; to provide lead direction to lower level Inspectors; and to act in the absence of the Chief Building Official as necessary.

This is the advanced journey level class within the Building Inspector series. This class is distinguished from the Building Inspector II by its assigned level of responsibility, complexity of duties, and the independence allowed to operate and make decisions in performing their assignments.

This class performs the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility, and are expected to act as a lead and train staff including assigning and monitoring work, and reporting findings to the Chief Building Official.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Chief Building Official.

Provides technical and/or functional supervision over building personnel as appropriate.

Perform the most complex inspections of commercial/residential buildings and structures to determine compliance with the structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and housing codes and approved plans; review plans and applications for building permits; issue building permits and certificates of occupancy.

Work with diagrams, specifications, plans, and similar documents; read and interpret building construction and engineering plan specifications and codes.

Respond to complex customer services issues; investigate violations and complaints; identify illegal construction activity and issue violation notices.

Confer with and assist architects, engineers, contractors, builders, and the general public in the field and office regarding the interpretation of requirements and restrictions; assist with more complicated projects.

Develop and implement procedures and practices related to area of assignment; review and evaluate service levels and recommend changes in procedures and practices related to area of assignment.

Coordinate, schedule, assign, and monitor work of contractors; ensure compliance with City standards and requirements; communicate routinely, effectively and professionally with contractors.

Prepare and maintain reports, letters, and correction notices on code violations and variations from approved plans; update permit activity information in a specialized database or permit management tracking programs; maintain inspection or permit file; submit inspection reports as required; perform office duties as necessary.

Train building inspection staff in all aspects of building inspection and plan checking; review reports for quality and accuracy.

Participate in training program for inspectors; keep current on new codes, ordinances, laws, and amendments.

Act on behalf of the Chief Building Official when needed.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Perform duties as needed when assigned to standby duty or on-call to provide after-hours emergency assistance related in storm activities or other issues; respond in emergency situations as needed.

Principles and practices of the adopted Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes, and pertinent state, county, and city codes and ordinances.

Modern and complex principles and techniques of building construction and inspection work.

Modern and complex principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.

Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial, industrial and residential buildings.

Types of building construction, materials, methods, and all stages of construction.

Proper field inspection methods and procedures. Principles and practices of plan checking.

Principles of structural design, engineering mathematics, and soil engineering. Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Principles and practices of safety management.

Principles and practices of customer service, including conflict resolution. Project tracking methodologies.

Common computer application programs such as word-processors, spreadsheets, database programs, and presentation software.

Inspect and analyze complex standard building construction and identify code violations; analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve building division activities.

Interpret and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Advise on standard construction methods and requirements for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Determine if construction systems conform to City code requirements; read and interpret complex building plans, specifications and building codes.

Schedule, coordinate, and lead field operations of the Building Division.

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

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible building inspection experience including one year of lead or supervisory responsibility. Three years of experience similar to a Building Inspector II with City of Novato.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in the building and construction trades, college coursework in public administration, planning, engineering, architecture, plan checking, and/or building inspections techniques, principles, and practices are desirable.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, a Building, Plumbing, Mechanical & Electrical Inspector Certificates, or a commercial combination inspector Certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC) or other approved certifying organization. Possession of a valid Plans Examiner Certificate is highly desirable.

Possession of a valid California driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance.

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Physical Skills: Able to use standard office equipment, including a computer; sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, and maintain sustained posture in a seated or standing position for prolonged periods of time; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone, and to make public presentations; lift and carry up to 5lbs of files, and materials.

Work Environment: Mobility to work in a typical office and/or field setting.

Ability to: Travel to different sites and locations; drive safely to different sites and locations; maintain a safe driving record; work protracted and irregular hours and evening meetings or off shift work for meeting attendance or participation in specific projects or programs; available for evening meetings.

It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.

Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.