Building Inspector
The City of Hamilton is an EEO & AAE. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
This is technical work involving the inspection of construction projects and existing buildings, properties, structures and their associated systems that are regulated by the Ohio Building Code and referenced standards and local regulations. Items to be inspected include, but are not limited to, work associated with building, electric, plumbing, heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning (HVAC), gas lines, fire alarms, fire suppression, signs, residential plan reviews and other items under the appropriate, required certifications. The work under this position will be specific to the type of certification(s) held by the employee and as directed by the Department Director. The type of certification required will be specified under the details of the job classification opening advertisement, which is determined based upon the vacancies of positions needed by the Department in order to maintain standing as a Certified Building Department recognized by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. The work is performed under the general direction and supervision of the Department Director and other supervisory staff, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative, as deemed appropriate. The nature of the work requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships and communications with customers associated with the permit and inspection process as well as City personnel and the Ohio Board of Building Standards. The principal duties of this class are performed in an outdoor work environment with potential personal hazards.
Essential Job Functions:
- Performs detailed and technical inspections of construction projects as directed and in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio Building Code and all referenced standards;
- Coordinates inspection activities and schedules with coworkers and other City departments and divisions;
- Coordinates inspection results and activities with applicable utility departments as directed.
- Inspects and researches existing buildings for emergencies, violations, hazardous conditions, structural failures and improper uses, and works with City personnel and customers to obtain compliance with regard to safety and applicable code compliance;
- Be available for public inquiries regarding applicable codes and the permit and inspection process;
- Works with customers to effectively communicate inspection results and obtain the required compliance on their properties and projects. The Inspector is required to conduct himself/herself in a professional, courteous, impartial, responsive and cooperative manner at all times;
- Performs activities associated with permit processing including, but not limited to, entering information in the permit processing system, calculating fees, processing payments, issuing approved permits and issuing approved certificates of occupancy;
- Performs plan reviews of construction documents in accordance with applicable codes and regulations and the required certifications, when a plan review certification is required for this position. Also communicates with City personnel from other departments and disseminates all plan review results and comments to customers;
- Receive and respond to inquiries and complaints pertaining to applicable violations, permits and inspections, and initiating corrective actions in accordance with certification requirements;
- Issues approved legal notices, adjudication orders, warnings, orders, summons and warrants as directed in order to achieve compliance with applicable codes;
- Prepares evidence and testifies in court on violations and nuisances;
- Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence on Department matters;
- Enforces regulations regarding Contractor Registrations and Licenses;
- Maintains records of the Department as required and approved and respond to requests for public records as directed;
- Maintains all certifications required to perform job-related duties;
- May temporarily be called upon to assume specific duties of other staff as directed and in accordance with required certifications;
- Attends meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops as requested and authorized;
- Perform all activities associated with office coverage for the Department as needed;
- Performs all other related work as required.
Skills/Knowledges/Abilities:
- Ability to prepare accurate and reliable communications and reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations;
- Ability to comprehend and follow all oral and written policies, procedures, instruction and direction;
- Ability to perform a wide variety of difficult technical tasks with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
- Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information;
- Demonstrates flexible work schedule as needed to perform all required duties.
- Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with all customers and City personnel to secure compliance with appropriate codes, procedures and regulations using both technical and non-technical language to obtain their understanding;
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with customers and City personnel.
- Ability to calculate fees in accordance with adopted fee schedules and perform mathematical calculations associated with job responsibilities;
- Ability to effectively operate computers and mobile devices along with all software appropriate to assigned duties;
- Additional comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of state and local building code regulations, laws, enforcement and processes as well as their referenced standards, such as mechanical, plumbing, electric, fire, etc., in accordance with required certifications;
- Comprehensive knowledge of all construction and design principles and practices associated with required certifications;
- Skilled in quickly comprehending and interpreting building and construction plans and specifications at all levels of complexity.
Training/Education/Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements
Preferred Requirements
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a construction contractor or supervisor or as a skilled tradesman for structural carpentry, masonry, steel, or concrete work subject to inspection of buildings and structures as regulated by the Ohio Building Code and its referenced standards; and
- Graduation from High School or completion for GED (will be verified for finalists); and
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License (will be verified for finalists).
Preferred Requirements
- Possession of current Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) certification(s) to be able to perform inspections and plan review for all buildings and structures regulated by the OBBS as specified for the focus of the job advertisement, or demonstrate the ability to obtain those full certifications within one year from the date of hire. Preference will be given to those candidates who also possess current additional OBBS certification(s) which allow them to perform inspections and plan reviews for multiple trades;
