JOB SUMMARY:

Performs building inspection work to assure compliance with the City's building, mechanical, and plumbing codes, other city ordinances, and state and federal laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Inspects commercial, and residential buildings, during various stages of construction;
• Makes independent decisions regarding compliance;
• Inspects buildings undergoing change of use or occupancy and dilapidated buildings;
• Determines extent of damage, safety factors and necessary permits required to repair damaged or dilapidated buildings;
• Clarifies requirements or intent of construction codes, methods, restrictions, materials, and inspections to architects, engineers, contractors, and homeowners;
• Reviews plans submitted by engineers, architects, designers, contractors, builders, and homeowners to assure compliance with City codes and ordinances;
• Checks plans at job site for compliance;
• Prepares inspections reports;
• Conducts and attends training sessions on construction codes;
• Reviews special inspection reports submitted by engineers, and architects;
• Researches and reviews new material and methods used in building construction;
• Provides quality customer service;
• Investigates complaints regarding unauthorized or unsafe building use or construction or modifications to approved building elevations, determines appropriate action, and follows through for compliance;
• Makes a thorough final inspection prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Measures distances to confirm compliance with building specifications, zoning, building, setbacks, etc.;
• Inspects commercial buildings and schools for compliance with building, mechanical, and accessible building code;

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: Performs other related duties as required

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS: None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• The stages of construction when various possible violations and defects may be most easily observed and corrected;
• The adopted Building Code;
• The Building Code Standards that contain national test materials and special design standards referenced in the adopted Building Code(s);
• The adopted Mechanical Code which provides the requirements for the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in buildings and other structures;
• The adopted Plumbing Code which applies to the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems and materials and provides requirements and standards for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare;
• Knowledge of City and State laws, ordinances, and regulations governing city zoning, public nuisances, property maintenance;
• Construction principles and techniques applicable to building plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes and city ordinances applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

ABILITY:

• Exercise independent judgment and make on-site technical decisions;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, contractors, homeowners, architects, engineers, developers and the public;
• Interpret and explain technical building codes, ordinances, plans, diagrams and specifications;
• Prepare and maintain complete and accurate records and reports;
• Recognize and diffuse potentially hostile situations;
• Perform inspections in a timely manner;
• Accesses and enters data or information using a personal computer in order to research building permits, inspection records and/or zoning files and enters inspection results;
• Uses common hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, or wrenches to inspect construction;
• Reads and uses graphic instructions such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or building plans and technical data/ drawings in order to verify construction complies with code;
• 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 speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings;
• Ability to write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information;
• Ability to follow instructions, responds to management direction; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan;
• Ability to meet scheduling and attendance requirements.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Possess Valid Driver’s license;

ICC Building Inspector; Residential and Commercial

ICC Plumbing Inspector; Residential and Commercial

ICC Mechanical Inspector, Residential and Commercial.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/OR EXPERIENCE:

Minimum three years experience as a certified residential building inspector, engineer or architect. Must obtain the certified commercial building, plumbing and mechanical inspector certifications as required by the State of Tennessee within one.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/OR EXPERIENCE:

Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two year-college or technical school; or three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

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 stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock and explosives.