Inspector II

The position regularly interacts with department coworkers, other County departments, external government agencies, architects, engineers, surveyors, developers, contractors, builders, trades craftsmen, and other customers involved in construction activity. The residential inspector works within a detailed and complex knowledge of responsibilities for work that is to be performed, and develops work methods that change on a regular basis due to technology, education, construction code requirements and is responsible for the decisions made. Performs building damage assessments after natural or other disasters. Inspector will be available 24/7 incase of emergency or special assignments (night or weekends) as required by the Director for performance of job duties.

General Dimensions

This position requires: a Bachelors Degree in construction, engineering or architecture, and 1 year experience in a construction related field, or an associates degree with 3 years experience in a construction related field or 5 years experience with a government jurisdiction as a certified inspector or 7 years experience in the construction industry or what Richland County regards as an equivalent combination of education and experience; Residential inspectors will conduct comprehensive and Life Safety inspections of building construction to ensure compliance with all applicable building, electrical, plumbing, gas, fire, sprinkler, suppression/hood and mechanical codes and related codes and ordinances; to interpret codes as requested for contractors, owners and the general public, and to perform related administrative and technical work as assigned. Inspector must have a thorough understanding of all facets of construction methods and practices, and properties of materials and soils. Must be able to read, interpret and apply detailed and complex building plans and other technical drawings to architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other building systems. Must be able to understand and apply all mandatory building codes adopted for use in South Carolina: certifications from the International Code Council as a Residential: Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and Property Maintenance Inspector, allowing, from the date of hire, 12 months for two certifications and to obtain all certifications and the corresponding registrations and licensing as required from the South Carolina Building Codes Council); A valid South Carolina driver's license is required.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

As required, comprehensively inspects new and existing one and two-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings of light-frame construction, and commercial buildings of light-frame construction not exceeding 5,000 square feet in total area, to insure compliance with all applicable building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire safety, handicapped, and energy conservation codes, and County-approved plans, specifications, and standards. Assist with unsafe housing inspections and investigations as needed.

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary or any and all other duties as needed.

Explains, interprets and provides guidance regarding applicable codes and compliance requirements to contractors, engineers, architects, developers, property owners and others.

Plans, schedules and conducts inspections of residential building construction to ensure compliance and life safety with various building codes and County-approved plans, specifications and standards.

Conducts life safety, health safety, environmental health, and accessibility and energy conservation inspections for new/existing and unsafe buildings.

Maintains thorough and accurate records of inspections; meets with contractors and property owners regarding inspection results; makes recommendations for changes as necessary to achieve compliance; follows up to verify that corrections have been made to comply with codes.

Performs building damage assessments after natural or other disasters. Inspector will be available 24/7 incase of emergency or special assignments (night or weekends) as required by the Director for performance of job duties.

Issues violation notices and prepares cases for prosecution in the event of non-compliance; testifies in court as necessary.

Keeps supervisor informed of inspection progress and any difficult or unusual situations.

Performs flood plain inspections, housing inspections and one & two family dwelling inspections as required by International Code Council and State and County Ordinances, laws and regulations.

Coordinates inspection activities with zoning officials, public works, engineers, soil & water agency and the Fire Marshal as needed.

Certifies that all codes have been satisfied in order to issue certificates of occupancy.

Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility.

Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, attending meetings, sending and receiving faxes, etc.

Maintains knowledge of current County, state and federal codes and regulations related to building inspection. Attends training, conferences, meetings, etc., to enhance job knowledge and skills and maintain certifications.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Requires gathering, organizing, analyzing, examining or evaluating data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information.

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

Requires persuading or influencing others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action; may enforce laws, rules, regulations or ordinances.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

Requires handling or using machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

Requires performing skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires using mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires reading technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires doing specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Must possess a valid state driver's license.

Must possess S.C. Building Codes Council, LLR, License as a Residential Combination Inspector; must possess International Codes Council certification as a Residential: Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and Property Maintenance as required by South Carolina Building Codes Council, LLR. Preferred are: Zoning and FEMA - Floodplain certification, CFM.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires over one year and up to and including seven years.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

The job may risk exposure to dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, fumes and/or noxious odors, toxic/caustic chemicals, animals/wildlife, moving machinery, traffic, electrical shock, heights, construction site hazards, disease/pathogens.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking ability, color perception, depth perception, texture perception.

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:

Responsible for guiding others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.