Description

Position Summary: Technical work performing field and plan inspections per trade qualifications to ensure safety and compliance with the Florida Building Code, City ordinances, and outside agencies; checking projects for defects, omissions, and violations of city, state or federal codes and regulations; interpreting plans and specifications; answering questions from contractors, and the general public on the technical requirements of the codes.  

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:            

(The duties listed are intended to serve as an example of the typical functions performed.  They are not exclusive or all inclusive and will vary with assignments.) 

• Reviews permits, plans, and documentation for compliance with the Florida Building Code, City codes, and related regulations.
• Inspects for conformance with laws and ordinances, and technical conformance with local, state and federal codes/ordinances for building codes; makes recommendations for local requirements.
• Ensures that the contractor or authorized representative has secured applicable permits prior to making inspections.
• Ensures that licensed, registered contractors perform construction work.
• Interacts with the general public regarding inspection procedures and requirements.
• Prepares reports, inputs data entry of inspections, notes, completion dates, stop work orders and maintains records of work performed.
• Follows up on complaints, violations and their satisfactory completion.
• Stays informed of code changes affecting building system installations.
• Issues stop work orders, code compliance violations and citations concerning Florida Building Code or other violations of city codes.
• Recommends methods, materials, equipment, and alterations to assist in compliance with accepted standards.
• Appears before the Special Magistrate to present testimony and evidence pertaining to violations.
• Prepares and handles Code Special Magistrate paperwork including agendas, affidavits and case history recaps.
• Ensures that commercial, homebased and rental businesses have obtained their required Business Tax Receipts.
• Perform Business Tax Receipt inspections.
• Perform NPDES construction site and illicit discharge inspections.
• Monitors and obtains the appropriate type and amount of continuing education hours required for all certifications.
• Assists with damage assessments when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements: 

Knowledge of:

• Building construction methods and practices.
• Building plans, blueprints and specifications.
• Municipal ordinances, policies, procedures, and directives.
• Florida Statutes Chapter 162.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment.
• Computer software including internet, licensing and certification record keeping.
• Customer service practices and procedures.
• Business English, spelling, grammar and arithmetic.
• Codes and regulations governing the construction industry.

Ability to:

• Review construction plans, drawings, blueprints, specifications and related documents, and determine their conformance to all relevant codes, ordinances, and standards.
• Recognize and explain when plans, drawings, blueprints, specifications and related documents are not in conformance with specific codes, ordinances and standards.
• Consult with architects, engineers, building owners, contractors and others on regulatory and inspection matters.
• Understand and properly interpret various City codes and regulations.
• Exercise independent judgement.
• Deliver excellent customer service and handle complaints and conflict in a friendly, courteous and effective manner.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, reports and files.
• Research of public records using local, state and federal resources.
• Follow safety rules and regulations of the Department and the City.
• Maintain high standards for professional and ethical conduct.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City departments, public agencies, and the general public.
• Support the City’s Mission, Values, and Goals.

 Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. supplemented with technical training in construction practices.
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Construction Management or closely related field is highly desirable.
• One of the equivalent combinations of relevant education, experience, and/or training to meet the minimum requirements below:
• Demonstrates four (4) years combined experience in the field of construction or a related field, building code inspection, or plans review corresponding to the certification category sought. 468.609(2)(c)(1), F.S.
• Demonstrates a combination of postsecondary education in the field of construction, building experience which totals three (3) years, with at least one (1) year of such total being experience in construction, building code inspection, or plans review. 468 609(2)(c)(2), F.S.

• Demonstrates a combination of technical education in the field of construction or a related field and experience which totals three (3) years, with at least one (1) year of such total being experience in construction, building code inspection, or plans review. 468.609(2)(c)(3), F.S.

• Currently holds a standard certificate issued by the board or a fire safety inspector license issued pursuant to Chapter 633, F.S., has a minimum of three (3) years of verifiable experience in inspection or plan review, and satisfactorily completes a building code inspector or plans examiner cross-training program that provides at least one hundred (100) hours of training in the certification category sought. 468.609(2)(c)(4), F.S. [cross-training program]

•  Demonstrates a combination of the completion of an approved training program of  at least two hundred (200) hours of training in the field of building code inspection or  plan review and a minimum of two (2) years' experience in the field of building code inspection, plan review, fire code inspection and fire plans review of new buildings as a fire safety inspector certified under Section 633.081(2), F.S., or construction. 468.609(2)(c)(5), F.S. [training program]

• Currently holds a standard certificate issued by the board or a fire safety inspector license issued pursuant to Chapter 633, F.S., has at least four (4) years of verifiable experience as an inspector or plans examiner in a standard certification category currently held or has a minimum of four (4) years verifiable experience as a fire safety inspector licensed pursuant to Chapter 633, F.S., and has completed a building code inspector or plans examiner classroom training course or program that provides at least two hundred (200) hours in the certification category sought, except for residential training programs which must provide at least five hundred (500) hours, but not more than eight hundred (800) hours of training as prescribed by the board, 468.609(2)(c)(6). F.S. [training program]

• Structural Plans Examiner certification preferred.

• Must possess and maintain an active State of Florida Plans Examiner certification.

• Must obtain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Qualified Stormwater Management Inspector within one (1) year of employment and maintain certification.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and the ability to drive a City vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines

• Driving to construction sites, walking to perform visual observations, climbing ladders, walking on scaffolding, beams, and gaining access into tight spaces.
• Occasional lifting and moving objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Perform inspections and observations, which may include driving, walking, stooping, kneeling, crawling, standing, squatting, climbing, lifting, bending, turning, reaching and working in tight spaces.
• Working conditions are primarily in outdoor environmental conditions; frequently exposed to natural elements including wildlife and weather typically experienced in South Florida.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.