Job Description

GENERAL INSPECTOR I

JOB CODE 60030

Effective Date:	Rev. 12/07A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to inspect all aspects of residential construction for conformance with the City's building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and zoning requirements. Assignments involve inspection of new residential construction and alteration and repair work. Responsibilities include inspection of swimming pools, utility connections to mobile homes and periodic safety inspections of existing mobile home parks. Compliance is ordered when violations are discovered. Difficult technical problems may be referred to a supervisor but employees work independently in the field and are responsible for making decisions requiring technical discretion, sound judgment and familiarity with a variety of codes, ordinances and construction methods or problems. Supervision is provided by a General Inspections Field Supervisor or the General Inspections Supervisor who provides training designed to prepare incumbents for promotion to General Inspector II.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Inspects structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations at a level of complexity generally found in residential construction to ensure that work complies with the City Construction Code, the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable regulations and approved plans and specifications;
• Requires construction corrections to be made when deficiencies are discovered and assists builders and owners in determining methods to achieve code conformance;
• Provides information to contractors, owners, or other customers regarding the Construction Code and other building regulatory requirements;
• Monitors an assigned geographical area to identify construction being performed without a permit and for dangerous structures;
• Issues notices of violation where unsafe or illegal conditions exist and conducts follow-up inspections to ensure corrections are made;
• Investigates alleged violations of the Construction Code and related ordinances;
• Approves alternate methods or materials for code compliance within the scope of authority delegated by the Assistant Development Services Director who serves as the building official;
• Performs inspections in accordance with approved plans and all disciplines;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• City Construction Code and the Zoning Ordinance applicable to residential construction and associated rules, regulations, and standards.
• Materials and methods used in residential construction including carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical.
• Stages of construction when possible violations and defects may most easily be observed and corrected.
• Mathematical principles required to perform related technical calculations.

Ability to:

• Learn to perform inspections that consist of an evaluation of structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical installations.
• Learn purpose of relevant construction code requirements and methods for enforcing requirements.
• Accurately read and comprehend construction plans.
• Detect possible defects and faults in construction and recommend or stipulate appropriate remedial measures.
• Objectively interpret and consistently apply code requirements and related standards in accordance with department policies.
• Communicate in the English language by phone or in person in a one-to-one setting.
• Observe or monitor objects to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Perceive the full range of the color spectrum, such as working with electrical wires.
• Use graphic instructions, such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.
• Measure distance using a tape measure.
• Sort, distribute and file material such as site plans, permit files, notice of ordinance violations, and survey sheets in some prescribed manner.
• Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually while performing inspections.
• Work at heights greater than 10 feet.
• Travel over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces or terrain and maneuver around scaffolding, bracing, or unfinished construction elements.
• Lift arm above shoulder level while performing inspections.
• Work cooperatively with other City employees and the general public.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess two certifications from the following five areas by the end of the twelve-month probationary period:

  Building

  • ICC Residential Building Inspector

  Electrical

  • ICC Residential Electrical Inspector
    OR
    
  • IAEI Electrical One-and Two-Family Dwelling

  Mechanical

  • ICC Residential Mechanical Inspector

  Plumbing

  • IAPMO Plumbing Inspector
    OR
    
  • ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector

  Energy

  • ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner

• All positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Documented completion of three years of building construction experience working at a skilled journey level in electrical, plumbing, mechanical, carpentry, masonry or related building trades, or certification by a model code agency as an Inspector or Plan Reviewer. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.