Performs moderately difficult skilled technical work reviewing building plans and specifications for compliance with applicable building codes and related work as apparent or assigned. This position is designated as essential during emergency or disaster situations. Work is performed under the general direction of the Chief Building Official.

Essential Job Functions

• Reviews building plans, drawings, and applications to ensure all required information is included; contacts developers, contractors, and applicants for additional information and advises on additional information needed.
• Examines blueprints, plans, and other specifications for new commercial, institutional, and industrial residential and light commercial buildings to ensure compliance with State building and related codes and local ordinances; reviews expansions or major repair project plans; research code to identify requirements; approves and issues commercial building permits.
• Performs customer service by phone or in person; advises developers, contractors, property owners, and the general public on building and related codes and ordinances; interprets and applies code regulations; answers questions and explains necessary modifications to property owners or contractors.
• Assists Inspections Staff as necessary by performing field inspections and re-inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities construction and existing structures for compliance with building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire codes; issues warnings and stop work orders, whenif necessary and approved by the Chief Building Official, where construction is not being carried out in compliance with building code regulations.
• Assists Permitting and Administrative Staff as needed with customer inquiries and application intake.
• Reviews drawings for compliance with appropriate building codes and ordinances while conducting field inspections.
• Issues certificates of occupancy.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and complaints regarding defective construction; handles moderately complex enforcement issues.
• Provides technical assistance on codes and ordinances to office staff and inspectors in the field; may accompany inspectors in field to provide advice or assist with difficult situations.
• Attends meetings with builders, architects, engineers and the general public; confers with contractors, owners, staff, and State officials on code compliance matters and interpretations. When necessary, seeks guidance from the Building Plan Reviewer II and Chief Building Official on interpretations.
• Prepares reports and keeps records regarding inspections.
• Attends classes necessary to obtain appropriate level certifications.
• Prepares evidence and testifies in court on building code violation cases and cases involving state licensing boards.
• Works with Building Plan Reviewer II and Chief Building Official in making informed decisions and interpreting code when necessary.
• Performs other duties as directed or assigned.
• Integrates and aligns with organizational culture and leadership philosophy.

• High school diploma or GED and considerable experience in construction, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of all Standard Level I certifications in Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Building, and Fire upon hire.
• Possession of Probationary or Standard Level ll Building Certification upon hire. Ability to obtain all Standard Level II certifications in Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fire within three years of hire. First Standard Level ll shall be obtained within 1 year of hire or within 1 months of being approved by the State Licensing agency, whichever is possible sooner. Additional certificates shall be obtained at regular intervals, thereafter, as set forth by the supervisor, but all certificates shall be obtained prior to probationary certificates expiring and within 3 years of hire. Similar or alternate levels of certification may be considered on an individual basis.
• Ability and desire to obtain Standard Level 3 Certifications within 5 years of hire in Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Building.
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a building inspector with strong preference for plan review knowledge and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical code enforcement.
• Thorough knowledge of building and construction principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of State building and related codes, laws, ordinances, practices, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of building construction materials and methods and of stages of construction when possible violations and defects may be most easily observed and corrected.
• Comprehensive knowledge in the use of standard office equipment and applicable permitting software.
• Knowledge of the operation of personal computer and standard office software.
• Ability to detect poor workmanship, inferior materials, and hazards of fire and collapse.
• Ability to read and interpret codes, manufacturer specifications, and drawings accurately and apply code requirements to visual inspections.
• Ability to enforce building codes and ordinances with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages as required by NC Building Codes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, business owners, builders, engineers, architects, elected officials and the general public.
• Knowledge of permitting and inspections processes and requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate and utilize strong customer service skills with occasional difficult customers.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to pass state exams within the third attempt.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non- weather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic); potential contact with insects, rodents, sewage, and extreme attic temperatures. Ability to spend long periods of time standing and walking as well as seated with extreme concentration.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.