Building Inspector I/II

DESCRIPTION

The Inspector performs responsible journey level paraprofessional, technical, and administrative work in their respective assigned area of responsibility including, but not limited to, building safety; inspect residential, rental and commercial structural building systems at various stages of construction, alteration and repair to assure compliance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Make field inspections of buildings and structures during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with approved plans, specifications and applicable building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical fire and other codes and regulations of the City, county, state and federal agencies.
• Inspect existing residential rental units (single and multi-family) for compliance with minimum standards of the Uniform Housing Code.
• Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, and a large variety of other complex and routine structural building system elements such as studs, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.
• Examine grade, quality, and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition.
• Inspect mechanical, solar, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems.
• Inspect swimming pool and structural and electrical installations, including setbacks and bonding requirements.
• Assure proper installation of exit ways, guardrails and other safety factors.
• Conduct a plan review of specifications and engineering data.
• Identify and describe work to be covered by permits.
• Ascertain or ensure conformance to Uniform Building Code and pertinent provisions of state and county health and environmental ordinances.
• Issue permits for work to be performed when assigned.
• Interpret building codes and work with builders, property owners, and craftsmen in making changes necessary to conform to codes.
• Inspect various structural building systems at various stages of construction alteration and repair to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, codes, ordinances, and laws.
• Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in building inspection and permitting.
• Supervise, train, motivate, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in the rental registration program.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, equipment, and supplies; monitor and control expenditure.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; write performance evaluations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• File complaints and/or issue citations against persons who willfully violate City building code and regulations; testify in court as necessary.
• Answer questions and provide information to members of the public; and investigate complaints and recommend corrective actions as necessary to resolve complaints.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

• Inspector I
  • Economic and Community Development: Possession of an ICC Certification as a Combination Dwelling or certification as a CA Residential Inspector is required within one year of appointment.
• Inspector II
  • Economic and Community Development: Possession of an ICC Certification as a Combination Dwelling or certification as a CA Residential Inspector and a Commercial Building Certificate, and one additional certification in electrical, plumbing or mechanical is required within one year of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Operations, services and activities of a building department.
• Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, including the Residential Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.
• Techniques and methods pertaining to reading and interpreting drawings and blueprints.
• Principles, methods, materials, equipment and safety hazards of construction.
• Defects and faults in construction.
• Basic mathematics, including Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, as applied to construction inspection work.
• Basic soil mechanics and geology.
• Principles of engineering as applied to construction inspection.
• Engineering mechanics of structures.
• Methods and techniques of recordkeeping.
• Equipment, tools, and materials used to perform building inspection activities.
• Modern automated and computerized information systems, including use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications; and modern office equipment.

• Principles and practices of mathematics as applied to construction inspection work.
• Methods and techniques of construction inspection.
• Principles and techniques of building construction.
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
• Maintenance – Environmental - Occupational hazards and safe working practices pertinent to wastewater collection system maintenance, repair and construction including working around biohazards and in confined spaces.

• Learn applicable laws, regulations, codes, and departmental policies governing the construction of assigned projects.
• Learn to understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications and prepare accurate engineering records.
• Detect and locate faulty materials and poor work quality and determine the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
• Read, understand, and analyze complex technical information, construction plans, specifications, and maps.
• Prepare technical reports.
• Learn and apply building related codes enforceable by the City, specifically, the International Building Code, uniform Housing Code, and the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
• Learn and apply a variety of zoning, general land use and related codes.
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes.
• Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Follow verbal and written instructions and directions in an accurate, efficient, and timely manner.
• Prepare precise written inspection correction lists and properly complete permit inspection records.

• Interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, codes and departmental policies governing the construction of assigned projects.
• Understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications and prepare accurate engineering records.
• Conduct complex construction inspections.
• Provide training to other staff in an effective manner.
• Understand and carry out verbal and written directions.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Enforce State and Municipal Codes under the jurisdiction of the department.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness, tact, and diplomacy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday – Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

• Benefits can change at any time.