Building Inspector/Plans Examiner

Under general direction of the Chief Building Official, reviews building plans and site plans to ensure compliance with State and local codes and ordinances and conducts complex inspections of projects under construction for compliance with related building codes and ordinances. Performs other related duties as required or assigned. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with local businesses, homeowners, architects, contractors and the general public.

Job Description/ Essential Duties:

These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned.

• Reviews residential and commercial plans submitted for building permits, checks and approves plans for compliance with Federal, State and local codes and regulations as required.
• Confers with architects, engineers, businesses and homeowners, inspectors, planners and the general public on issues relating to interpretation and compliance with codes, ordinances and local regulations.
• Prepares and files reports in a timely and accurate manner, including tracking and processing permits manually and on the computer.
• Responds in person or by telephone to questions related to permitting processes, codes and all related activities.
• Participates in the field inspection process; ensures that construction, alterations, maintenance, and other related work is conducted in compliance with provisions of codes and ordinances and in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
• Conducts and conveys building code compliance analysis results on diverse projects to contractors and design professionals prior to permitting.
• Performs detailed and technical combined (building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical) inspections of buildings and sites under development during all phases of construction to monitor for code compliance, including maintaining an accurate log of inspections performed.
• Conducts final inspections, maintaining the authority to postpone building/project completion based on the adherence to related codes.
• Provides information to building designers, project owners, and contractors regarding project design, structural calculations and coordination with other public agencies and seeks to promote a process of cooperation between contractors, builders and building owners.
• Composes field reports of corrective actions to architects, engineers, and applicants to remedy deficiencies noted during plan review and/or inspections.
• Meet with other division staff to identify and resolve problems and review work activities and projects.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the Building Division; identify resource needs and make recommendations to management.
• Provide staff assistance Chief Building Official; prepare reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations, and regulations in the field of plans examination and building inspection.
• Performs periodic and follow-up inspections of new and existing buildings, structures and installations.
• Serve as an information resource for all interested members of the public in code applications, permitting processes and all related activities.
• Research problems, analyze various approaches and recommend solutions.
• Attend meetings and conduct on-site evaluations of buildings to ensure the minimum fire and life safety compliance provisions are met.
• Through continuing education, maintain expertise in current code and advancement in technology, materials, and methods of building and fire life safety standards.
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices and new developments in building inspection.
• Responds to citizen questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training):

• Associate’s degree in civil engineering or architecture; and
• At least three years of responsible and successful experience in the design, construction and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings; and
• At least two years’ experience in architecture or plans examining; or
• Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or architecture.
• Certification for Residential, Commercial or Combination Plans Examiner through the ICC is preferred at the time of hire and must be able to obtain within six months of start date.
• Certification as a Commercial or Residential Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Building Official or Combination Inspector through the International Code Council (ICC) or equivalent (i.e. master electrician or plumber, IAPMO certified) preferred at time of hire, or have the ability to obtain within six months of start date.
• Familiarity with the principles, practices and techniques of building permit and land use processing.

Special Requirements/Licenses or Certificates:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to obtain a Montana driver’s license within 60 days of employment.
• Offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check, reference checks, and driving record check.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position:

The successful candidate will possess:

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, principles, practices, services, and activities of a comprehensive building inspection and plans examination program.
• Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods related to structural engineering and building code enforcement.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, building codes and regulations including the International Code Council (ICC) building codes for residential and commercial construction, and National Electric and Uniform Plumbing Codes.
• Principles of structural design, engineering mathematics and soil engineering.
• Construction methods, materials, techniques, and equipment used in building.
• Modern office practices, methods, and the use of computer equipment.

Skill or ability to:

• Ability to understand, read and interpret commercial and residential construction plans, site plans, construction codes, ordinances and blueprints.
• Ability to analyze maps, codes and legal descriptions, and make appropriate judgments on compliance or non-compliance issues.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations upon completion of plans review.
• Ability to interpret building inspection policies and procedures to contractors, homeowners and the general public and apply the policies, procedures, laws, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to follow reading materials and verbal instructions that require complex interpretation.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word) and the ability to learn and utilize various software and databases.
• Ability to write and present clear and concise reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations as they relate to the position.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Tools and Equipment Used:

Operates modern office machines and equipment, including personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephone system and calculators. Must be able to routinely use a full range of software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and a variety of standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, flashlight, tape measure, architects scale.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Administrative duties are performed in an office type environment.

• Requires regular and punctual attendance and reports to work fit for duty.

• Position requires ability to work outside for lengthy periods of time in construction areas and be exposed to varying weather extremes.

• Duties require extended periods of walking, standing, talking, or hearing, keyboarding, lifting/carrying items, reaching with hands and arms, and manual dexterity to handle office related machines and tools.
• Duties require occasional periods of sitting, climbing, or balancing, pulling/pushing items, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Hazards are minor and controllable, but can include exposure to high precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock, cramped quarters, human error, and angry/hostile humans.
• The noise level ranges from quiet to moderate to potentially loud in construction and building areas.

• Ability to safely perform body movements applicable to records management in an office environment and on a construction job site.
• Possession of hand/eye coordination adequate to operate a computer and calculator.
• Have the ability to talk and hear in person and by telephone; ability to see and read instructions, spreadsheets, reference materials and computer reports.
• Ability to lift 10 pounds on a routine basis and up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis.

Behavioral Expectations:

• Employee treats all customers and coworkers with respect, dignity, and honesty and manages relationships and communications in a way that promotes the interests of all parties.
• Employee works through adversity in a productive and positive manner.
• Employee shows nonjudgmental respect for all other’s perspectives.
• Employee appreciates the uniqueness, commonalities, and value of others.
• Employee maintains an appropriate level of transparency in their work and interactions with others.
• Employee stops disparaging remarks about others and does not participate in these remarks in front of the public or during work time.
• Employee does not hinder, obstruct, or interfere with the work of other employees.
• Employee does not show poor attitude (for example, rudeness or lack of cooperation) with others or supervisors by failing to perform reasonable requests, being insubordinate, or refusing to comply with instruction given.
• Employee does not abuse the use of materials, time, equipment, or property of the City.
• Employee’s performance does not fall below average in quantity or quality in relation to the requirements of the job.

Safety Related Duties:

• Follow the City’s and department’s work practices.
• Report occupational injuries, illnesses, and near misses immediately to supervisor.
• Follow supervisor instructions for obtaining first aid or medical attention.
• Participate in accident investigations as required.
• Participate in safety training.
• Suggest improvements in safety training requirements or programs to supervisor.
• Identify unsafe work conditions and unsafe practices. Correct hazards or report them to supervisor as appropriate.

The specific statements shown in each section of this position description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodation.