Job Summary

Inspects residential construction sites to assure that construction and materials conform to plans,
local zoning, building, fire, gas, heating and plumbing codes. Notifies builders of corrections
required. Inspections are frequently of residential construction, but may also include commercial
structures such as schools, churches, apartment houses, retail stores and office buildings. Examines
routine residential building plans.

This position may be filled as a Building Inspector I, II or III depending on experience.

Qualifications

Building Inspector I:

Education and Experience:

• High school or vocational school graduation or GED certificate.

• Two (2) years of experience as a journey-level in building trades. – or – Completion of a recognized four-year building trades apprenticeship program, which may be substituted for work experience. – or – Certification as either a building inspector or plumbing inspector through ICC, IAPMO or other approved organization at the time of hire.

• Must possess, or have ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license at the time of hire.

Knowledge of: local fire, building, heating and plumbing, gas and zoning codes related to residences and commercial structures; principles, procedures and practices of construction, building materials and quality standards; varying capacities of supports and crossmembers.

Ability to: read and interpret residential and commercial building plans and specifications; identify code deficiencies resulting from faulty design or construction; interpret and explain code and remedial work required; enforce codes and ordinances firmly, tactfully and impartially; maintain harmonious relationships with customers; diffuse difficult or highly charged situations; keep accurate records of calls and findings; operate automobile safely.

Building Inspector II

• Must possess certification for building inspector (both residential and commercial) inspector, and plumbing inspector (both residential and commercial) through ICC, IAPMO or other approved organizations upon hire or promotion to the position.

• Must possess, or have ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license at the time of hire.

Knowledge of: all phases of either plumbing or building inspection for commercial structures; International Building Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, other adopted construction codes, commercial, and local zoning ordinances.

Ability to: accomplish all stages of building inspection for standard residential structures; interpret residential and commercial building plans and specifications; tactfully deal with the general public; engender a cooperative attitude in owners and builders work he/she inspects; and effectively diffuse difficult or highly charged situations.

Building Inspector III

• Must possess certification for building inspector, plumbing inspector and mechanical inspector through ICC, IAPMO, IMC or other approved organizations upon hire or promotion to the position.

• Must possess, or have ability to obtain a valid driver's license at the time of hire.

Knowledge of: All phases of plumbing, building and mechanical inspection for commercial and residential structures; Uniform Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and local zoning ordinances.

Ability to: Interpret residential and commercial building plans and specifications; conduct, proficiently, all phases of plumbing, building and mechanical inspection for commercial and residential structures; communicate clearly and tactfully, orally and in writing; effectively maintain harmonious relationships with customers, and diffuse difficult or highly charged situations.

Continuing Qualifications for Building Inspector Job Family

Incumbents must be able to successfully perform inspections of building, plumbing, and mechanical facilities to be considered fully effective in the Building Inspector job family.  Incumbents may be hired at a lower level, but are expected to reach the full journey-level – Building Inspector III level – within the timeframes outlined below.

The Building Inspector I is the entry-level into the Inspector job family. An incumbent hired at the entry level is expected to obtain the qualifications to move to Building Inspector II. 

Building Inspector II qualifications require certification as a residential building inspector, commercial building inspector, and plumbing inspector through ICC, IAPMO, or other approved organizations.

An incumbent at the mid-level must obtain the qualifications to move to Building Inspector III.  Qualifications for a Building Inspector III require the additional certifications of residential mechanical inspector and commercial mechanical inspector through ICC, IAPMO, or other approved organizations.

Employees are required to meet the following minimum criteria within the timeframe outlined below:

Obtain their plumbing certification and at least one building certification within 12 months of hire or promotion.

Obtain at least one mechanical certification within 18 months of hire or promotion.

Incumbents who fail to meet these minimum qualifications will be considered “below expectations” in performance and will be subject to corrective action and/or discipline, up to and including termination, for failure to achieve performance standards.

[Note] A new hire will be required to serve a probationary period of six months from the original date of hire and/or according to contract and policy language.  If the incumbent qualifies to promote to the next alternately staffed level during the probationary period, he/she may be promoted with manager’s approval but must still complete the original probationary period.  An incumbent promoted to a higher level following his/her probation shall not serve an additional probationary period, as per contract and policy language.

SELECTION PROCESS:

If you wish to upload a resume or other documents: Resumes and documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application. 

Application Review (Pass/Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) – This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

Employment References will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

It is the general policy of the County that new employees should be hired at the lower steps of the applicable range and advance through the range at the normal progression.

Position will remain open until filled.

Examples of Duties

Building Inspector I: Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts on-site inspections during construction; verifies location of lot, dimensional and structural conformity to approved plans, proper installation of plumbing and heating equipment, and use of approved building materials of the proper size and quality for that application.
• Authorizes minor as-built variations from plans when safety, durability, and function are not impaired. Notifies builders and installers of code violations and stipulates correction required. Writes and posts stop-work orders when code violations necessitate complete work stoppage. Notifies supervisor of builders' failure to correct violations as notified.
• Investigates complaints about system failures in residential buildings; determines cause and corrective action needed; notifies installers and owners of remedial action necessary. Advises supervisor when health hazards or code violations are not corrected.
• Inspects abandoned buildings to see if owners should be required to demolish or bring them up to building standards. Answers complaints on zoning code violations such as over-height fences, improper location of mobile homes and out buildings constructed without permits. Advises owners of building code and zoning ordinances and stipulates corrections required.
• Performs inspections of residential public curbs, driveways, sidewalks and construction sites as directed to ensure conformance with County standards, zoning codes and specifications and to assure proper drainage.
• May check residential plans for construction or alteration to ensure that type of building, dimensions, and set-backs are in compliance with zoning code; checks construction features to assure proper foundation and support, use of acceptable materials, compliance with minimum fire, heating, plumbing and gas standards; advises builders about problems of drainage, water hammer, pipe expansion, and similar design items which are frequently overlooked.
• Maintains a positive, professional approach to builders, installers, staff, and/or other interested parties.
• Performs other related work as required.

Building Inspector II: Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts on-site building inspections during construction; verifies location on lot, dimensional and structural conformity to approved plans and use of approved building materials of the proper size and quality for the specific application.
• Performs plumbing inspections and observes tests of all plumbing and sewage disposal systems, repairs, alterations, renovations and installations.
• Notifies builders and installers of building and construction code violations and stipulates corrections required.
• Writes and posts stop-work orders when code violations necessitate complete work stoppage.
• Provides code interpretations when required.
• Inspects abandoned and dangerous buildings, mobile home installations and answers complaints on zoning code violations.
• Inspects buildings for code compliance.
• Performs inspections of residential, commercial, and public curbs, driveways, sidewalks and construction sites as directed to assure conformance with County standards, zoning codes, and specifications and to assure proper drainage.
• Employees in this classification, if determined to be qualified, may be assigned to perform mechanical inspections to verify compliance with the requirements of the International Mechanical Code.
• May review building plans with respect to the requirements of the International Building Code and other applicable laws and ordinances in order to correct code errors and advise permit applicant.
• Maintains a positive, professional approach to builders, installers, staff, and/or other interested parties.

Building Inspector III: Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts on-site building inspections during construction; verifies location on lot, dimensional and structural conformity to approved plans and use of approved building materials of the proper size and quality for the specific application.
• Performs plumbing inspections and observes tests of all plumbing and sewage disposal systems, repairs, alterations, renovations and installations.
• Inspects mechanical installations such as air handling units, furnaces, air conditioners, evaporator coolers, ventilation systems, refrigeration systems, incinerators, and gas piping.
• Notifies builders and installers of building, plumbing and mechanical code violations and stipulates corrections required.
• Writes and posts stop-work orders when code violations necessitate complete work stoppage.
• Provides plumbing, building and mechanical code interpretations when required.
• Inspects abandoned and dangerous buildings, mobile home installations and answers complaints on zoning code violations.
• Inspects buildings for plumbing, building and/or mechanical code compliance.
• Performs inspections of residential, commercial, and public curbs, driveways, sidewalks and construction sites as directed to assure conformance with County standards, zoning codes, and specifications and to assure proper drainage.
• May review building, plumbing and mechanical drawings as required to establish code compliance.
• Maintains a positive, professional approach to builders, installers, and/or other interested parties.

Salary Grade

Local 307.8A - Local 307.9A

Salary Range

$27.99 - $41.09- per hour

For complete job announcement, application requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county
Explore Careers at Clark County | Clark County

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county