POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
Howard County
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Technical and supervisory level work overseeing the activities and inspections of the building inspection group in the Inspections and Enforcement Division. Extensive contact with the public, engineers, architects, developers, builders, contractors and other County and governmental agency employees.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$31.52 - $45.13
$65,559 - $93,861
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate supervisory level and advanced licensing, inspections, and regulation work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes overseeing the inspection of project construction to ensure conformance with standards, specifications, and drawings; providing inspections for subdivision and Capital Project constructions; supervising and administering code enforcement programs; examining plans and permits; and maintaining unit budget and records. Work includes scheduling inspections; reviewing inspection reports; resolving complex problems; and overseeing the work of trained and technically proficient inspectors engaged in conducting inspections of residential, commercial and capital projects for conformance with codes and standards, specifications, local and state laws and ordinances; and assisting others in the interpretation of codes.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Supervises subordinate personnel in their inspection of construction projects to ensure compliance with applicable building, life safety and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Maryland Accessibility Code; Assigns work, reviews and approves inspection reports, and evaluates inspector performance.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. interviews and trains employees; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
Develops, recommends and implements policies and procedures relative to the permit inspection process; develops forms and work schedules; investigates and resolves operational and personnel problems.
Interprets legal requirements and recommends compliance procedures to contractors, engineers, craft workers, architects, and the general public.
Presents recommendations and comments to architects, engineers, contractors, citizens and other county agencies; writes letters with recommendations and comments to architects, engineers, developers, tenants and other applicants; meets with architects, attorneys, engineers, developers, tenants, contractors and citizens advising them of
nonconformance with applicable codes.
Approves or disapproves construction documents deviating from code requirements; has plan review signatory authority for a variety of building, electrical, plumbing and other types of construction; notes instances of noncompliance on plans and documents corrective action necessary; suggests modifications to bring the plans into compliance. Approves and signs plans meeting code requirements.
Interacts with representatives from other State and County reviewing agencies to coordinate activities and processes.
Interprets the building code requirements and recommends guidance to contractors/owners to ensure compliance with adopted codes and standards; responds to technical and complex inquiries from building inspectors, contractors and the public.
Maintains records and prepares reports regarding Division activities.
Researches information necessary for proposed legislation and court cases relative to the County licenses and permits function.
Inspects residential and commercial structures which includes new construction and alterations and additions for building ,life safety code compliance and the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Maryland Accessibility Code; determines compliance with regulations and codes; issues violation notices as necessary; posts uninhabitable property if indicated.
Determines time limit for corrective measures; notifies owner; reinspects property to determine action taken; institutes code enforcement proceedings including issuance of violations, civil citations and injunctive relief; provides supporting data in legal proceedings and testifies at hearings.
Assist in resolving contractor and home owner complaints.
Researches inspection and permit information utilizing permitting software; utilizes PC for e-mail and word processing.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises nine (9) employees in the Inspection and Enforcement Division.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Associate Degree and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor's Degree with background in construction and building code compliance and supervisory experience; familiarity with PC and permitting software systems including E MAIL, Windows and Word Processing.
ICC B1 and B2 Test Certifications
ICC Building Inspector Certifications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is exposed to unfinished construction and high precarious places. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Must be able to climb ladders, steep slopes, and inclines. Must wear protective clothing, i.e. hard hats and safety shoes. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; and high, precarious places. Must be able to endure adverse climatic conditions and perform work at elevated heights. Must use alternative means of accessing multistory areas during the construction process.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical standards and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, to management, public groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Possession of a valid Maryland Class C driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at hripkin@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.