What are the responsibilities and job description for the Building Inspector position at City of Harlingen, Texas?
Department
Planning/Building Inspections
Location
Lon C. Hill
Position Type
FT Employee
Salary
$15.7848/Hour
Date
2025.04.17
Description
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The Building Inspector is responsible for inspecting all aspects of building construction for conformance with the City’s building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and zoning requirements. Assignments involve inspection of new building construction and alteration and repair work. Compliance is ordered when violations are discovered. Difficult technical problems may be referred to the Chief Building Official, 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. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
- 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 City Construction Codes and other building regulatory requirements.
- 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 Chief Building Official.
- Performs inspections in accordance with approved plans and all disciplines.
- Documents inspection results and investigations in laptop or desktop computer using applicable software.
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
- Locates and identify the addresses where building inspections are scheduled.
- Conducts building inspections in a punctual manner.
- Accurately records and enters inspection findings, details, and reports into the online system.
- Performs building permits and inspections department related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.
Additional Requirements:
- Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.
- This position requires the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED & EXERCISED
- Works under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
- City Construction Code and the Zoning Ordinance applicable to building construction and associated rules, regulations, and standards.
- Materials and methods used in building 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 and Spanish 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.
- 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.
- Produce reports in the English language and keep accurate records.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
- Work safety without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent; or two (2) years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses, Certificates & Registrations:
- Obtain an IBC certification within one year of employment.
- Must obtain a TX state license as a Plumbing Inspector within eighteen months of employment.
- Valid Texas Driver’s License.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers. The employee must occasionally climb; balance; bend or stoop repeatedly or continually while performing inspections; lift arms above shoulders; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, such as working with electrical wires, depth perception, peripheral perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions, disagreeable elements, and moving vehicle traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SAFETY SENSITIVITY
This position is not classified as a safety-sensitive position.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The Building Inspector is responsible for inspecting all aspects of building construction for conformance with the City’s building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and zoning requirements. Assignments involve inspection of new building construction and alteration and repair work. Compliance is ordered when violations are discovered. Difficult technical problems may be referred to the Chief Building Official, 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. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
- 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 City Construction Codes and other building regulatory requirements.
- 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 Chief Building Official.
- Performs inspections in accordance with approved plans and all disciplines.
- Documents inspection results and investigations in laptop or desktop computer using applicable software.
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
- Locates and identify the addresses where building inspections are scheduled.
- Conducts building inspections in a punctual manner.
- Accurately records and enters inspection findings, details, and reports into the online system.
- Performs building permits and inspections department related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.
Additional Requirements:
- Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.
- This position requires the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED & EXERCISED
- Works under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
- City Construction Code and the Zoning Ordinance applicable to building construction and associated rules, regulations, and standards.
- Materials and methods used in building 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 and Spanish 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.
- 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.
- Produce reports in the English language and keep accurate records.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
- Work safety without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent; or two (2) years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses, Certificates & Registrations:
- Obtain an IBC certification within one year of employment.
- Must obtain a TX state license as a Plumbing Inspector within eighteen months of employment.
- Valid Texas Driver’s License.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers. The employee must occasionally climb; balance; bend or stoop repeatedly or continually while performing inspections; lift arms above shoulders; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, such as working with electrical wires, depth perception, peripheral perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions, disagreeable elements, and moving vehicle traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SAFETY SENSITIVITY
This position is not classified as a safety-sensitive position.
Salary : $16
