Job Descriptions

Under general supervision, provides professional and technical assistance to property owners in the City of Turlock related to construction and rehabilitation of property and performs related work as required. Inspects buildings and structures in all stages of construction, alteration and repair; reviews building plans and specifications; enforces building, plumbing, electrical, zoning and mechanical codes and laws.

This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association (TCEA) bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and are subject to overtime.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey level in the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector series. This classification is normally filled by advancement from the lower classification of Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector I. Appointment to the higher classification requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the classification requiring a complete knowledge of department policies and procedures and meet the qualification standards for the classification. The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector II is expected to perform the entire range of moderately difficult inspections (building, electrical, fire, plumbing and mechanical) for a variety of construction inspections. It is expected that the knowledge and skills of the incumbent will be enhanced through a comprehensive orientation program, which leads to performing increasingly responsible building inspection staff work with minimal direct supervision.

Incumbents in this classification report to and are supervised by the Housing Program Manager. The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector I may receive training from the Building Inspector II or Building Inspector, Sr.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: – Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Makes field inspections of dwellings of potential participants in the housing rehabilitation program.
• Prepares specifications for work to be performed.
• Drafts footprint of residential floor plans.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates of proposed work and presents the estimates to property owners.
• Assists property owners in preparing bids and soliciting bidders.
• Gives technical assistance to homeowners on all phases of construction.
• Works with property owners and contractors to develop suitable agreements.
• Inspects dwelling units during rehabilitation to determine compliance with applicable housing and building codes and policies of the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
• Housing Quality Standards inspections for Turlock and member jurisdictions First Time Homebuyer programs.
• Assists in marketing and promoting the rehabilitation program to potential clients.
• Perform field inspections of industrial, commercial and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City, County, state and federal agencies.
• Perform complex inspection duties in several trade specialties such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical, structural and finish trade areas.
• Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, plumbing, heating and electrical installations, and a large variety of other complex and routine building system elements.
• May assist in the checking of building plans and perform field review of plans and specifications.
• Check stud, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.
• Examine grade, quality and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition including conducting research of new and/or alternative material reports from ICBO and other testing labs.
• Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments and public agencies as needed.
• Assist in conducting investigations of zoning, land use and construction code enforcement and abatement issues.
• Determine compliance to California Building, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, California Electric Code, and pertinent provisions of state and County health and environmental ordinances.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office to resolve complaints and answer questions regarding plan check correction lists, conditions of permit approval, and use of alternative methods or materials.
• Update and maintain records, files, field note as applicable and prepare reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• State and County laws, codes and ordinances relating to building construction and zoning.
• Types of building materials and variation in their quality.
• Methods of building construction and rehabilitation.
• Principles and techniques of building inspection.
• Principles and techniques of structural rehabilitation.
• Principles and techniques of real estate appraisal.
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
• Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City including the California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Housing Codes, the California Electric Code, and the municipal zoning and sign ordinances.
• Principles and techniques of building inspection work.
• Complex building, electrical, fire, plumbing and mechanical code enforcement.

Ability to:

• Interpret provisions of applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations enforceable by the City.
• Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
• Use sound inspection methods to examine workmanship and materials and to detect deviations from plans, specifications, and standard installation practices.
• Prepare work specifications for rehabilitation.
• Accurately estimate the cost of material and labor for potential rehabilitation work.
• Relate to individuals of various social-economic levels.
• Read and interpret diagrams, plans, and specifications and building codes
• Make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately.
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations and standard construction practices.
• Perform high level inspection skills in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent and efficient work as a Building Inspector.
• Enforce a variety of State and City codes and regulations
• Read and interpret building plans, specifications and building codes and determine that construction systems conform to City Code requirements.
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted during the course of work.
• Apply City codes and policies regarding zoning, environmental matters and other regulations to field situations.
• Perform entire range of inspections, including building, electrical, fire, plumbing and mechanical for residential, commercial and industrial construction.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently without supervision.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Four (4) years of responsible construction or inspection experience equivalent to journey level construction work in the building trades involving work done in conformance with standard building, electrical, mechanical systems and plumbing codes;

OR

Equivalent to five (5) years of experience in residential/housing construction or related occupational field dealing with the residential/ housing construction industry.

Education:

Education requirement is high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a certification or course completed in a related U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulation such as lead based paint, mold or other construction discipline at the time of appointment.

Possession of a Building Inspector Certification issued by the International Code Council (ICC) at the time of appointment and possess a second Building Inspector Certification by the ICC within one (1) year appointment for a total of two (2) certifications.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License at the time of appointment and must be maintained thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to read, write, make observations, view computer screen, read gauges and other instrumentation as well as operate a motor vehicle; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person; use hands and fingers well enough to use computer keyboard, write, file and answer telephones; bodily mobility to walk on uneven surfaces or sloped surfaces such as construction sites and roofs, bend, stand, climb on scaffolding and ladders, and be able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperatures while performing inspections or other duties.