Construction Codes Specialist

About the role

This position secures and maintains compliance with ordinances and regulations relating to building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and energy conservation codes within the City by performing intermediate- to complex-level inspections, plan review, licensing, and technical administrative work under a technical supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Inspects residential and/or commercial construction for structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and energy to verify compliance with approved plans and applicable codes and specifications.
• Makes field inspections independently or as part of a team of inspectors on complex building projects.
• Reviews and evaluates construction plans submitted for permits.
• Performs technical administrative duties as the lead point of contact responsible for monitoring and tracking Complaints and Violations (CAV's) and Notice of Violations (NOV’s).
• Completes plan review and inspections on related tasks in the permitting software.
• Issues construction related permits using permitting software.
• Confers with and advises contractors, property owners, architects, and the public regarding code requirements and solutions to problems.
• Conducts follow-up inspections to monitor compliance; and takes the appropriate actions necessary in cases of non-compliance.
• Investigates and resolves citizen complaints regarding code violations including working without permits and substandard construction.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of construction methods, codes and materials by attending seminars and classes, by independent study and by internet instruction.
• Maintains accurate documentation records of inspection results for all types of permits.
• Prepares accurate violation notices and/or stop-work orders that are sent to property owners in order to obtain compliance with City codes.
• Issues orders and citations; gathers evidence, prepares cases for court/appellate consideration; and testifies in court as issuing officer and expert witness.
• Provides inspection assistance for after-hours emergencies to assess damage and authorize safe reconnection of electrical service to all structures damaged by fire or other means.
• Recommends condemnation of heavily damaged structures in cooperation with other agencies.
• Issues orders to vacate structures that are dangerous due to fire, unsafe construction practices or natural damage.
• Assists the supervisor with special assignments and in training of new inspectors when necessary.
• Provides guidance to other inspectors on ways to resolve construction on related issues.
• Assists the supervisor in the assignment of daily inspection requests and plan reviews
• Assists in the resolution of conflicts between inspection staff and general public
• Assists in resolving construction code issues that arise during the construction process.

Qualifications

• High school degree; and five (5) years of progressively responsible work in building construction or code enforcement;
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of ICC Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy Codes, International Residential Code, the National Electrical Code, Maryland Accessibility Code, Maryland State Rehabilitation Code.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods, materials and techniques involved in all types of building construction, repair and alteration and the ability to recognize improper trade practices which result in faulty, sub-standard or hazardous conditions.
• Ability to properly interpret codes and ordinances in relation to field conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret all types of blueprints, construction documents, working diagrams and specifications quickly and accurately, and to compare specifications with construction in progress.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with building owners, contractors, residents and co-workers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to operate computer systems and access databases.
• Ability to convey accurate explanations of various codes, ordinances, regulations and the reasons therefore.
• Ability to work with and train co-workers effectively, playing an active part in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively as a team participant.

Physical Demands

• The work is medium work, which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Talking 1: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Talking 2: Shouting in order to be heard above ambient noise level.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.