Building Code Enforcement Officer I

Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class inspects construction work in process to enforce State codes for building construction including the five trades of building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes as well as fire. Work involves performing skilled inspections to determine the quality of workmanship, materials, and safety precautions; requires exercising judgment in interpreting state codes. Technical judgment is required to interpret provisions of the codes as applied to practical construction projects and circumstances. Inspections may require some physical effort and are performed under hazards present in dealing with construction work in progress. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and extremely hot and cold temperatures. Work is also subject to noise and dusts. Tact, courtesy, and firmness must be exercised in dealing with contractors and the general public. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Building Codes Administrator and is evaluated through conferences, review of reports, records and contractor and citizen reactions.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks

• Reviews site plans, blue prints, and specifications and receives applications for permits; issues building permits.
• Inspects residential, commercial and industrial building construction for compliance with building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire codes.
• Advises contractors in interpreting and applying code regulations.
• Notifies responsible parties of defects and re-inspects to determine if corrective actions have been taken; issues stop work orders if necessary.
• Enforces CAMA and flood certification regulations and ordinances.
• Maintains records of inspections and prepares necessary reports.
• Communicates with citizens concerning code requirements.
• Observes conditions not in compliance with applicable codes and issues proper notices for correction to persons responsible for conformance.
• Answers telephone in the office as needed.
• Meets with builders, property owners, engineers, supervisor, subordinates and other staff to discuss building codes, regulations, requirements and developments.

Additional Job Duties

• Recommends judicial actions and may be required to testify in court against violators of the State building code.
• Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of State codes and local ordinances as applicable to assigned construction projects for inspection.
• Considerable knowledge of building materials, techniques and workmanship.
• General working knowledge of construction and insulation.
• Skill in interpretation of codes and in their application to specific situations.
• Skill in reading and interpreting plans and specifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors and the public.
• Ability to enforce regulations tactfully and firmly.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate and thorough records.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception and color perception.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing detailed or loud talking to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electrical shock.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from a two-year college with a degree in the building construction trades, or related field and extensive experience in construction trades work, building code enforcement, fire inspection work, or as a CAMA Officer; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license upon hire.
State certifications will be required in the assigned inspection area(s) within the time frame specified by the Building Codes Administrator.

Loss of Certification
Any loss of certification may result in an appropriate reduction in pay and classification or may affect employment status, at the discretion of the County Manager.