Building Inspector / Plans Reviewer

Salary: $41.99 - $52.53/hour

Benefits

Position Closes: August 24th

As a Building Inspector/Plans Reviewer, you’ll play a vital role in helping ensure that the buildings and developments taking shape in our community are safe, code-compliant, and built to last. This position offers a unique blend of technical expertise, field work, and public service, with the opportunity to work directly with property owners, contractors, designers, developers, and community members throughout the construction process. From reviewing plans at a desk to walking active construction sites, you’ll bring codes and standards to life while helping projects move forward and supporting responsible growth in Gig Harbor. If you’re someone who enjoys solving problems, working with people, and seeing the tangible results of your work in the community, we’d love to hear from you. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The building inspector/plans reviewer is responsible for plan review and inspection of construction projects and enforcement of construction codes adopted as Chapter 15 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code.

The incumbent assures that plans and projects comply with the city’s codes and ordinances for building, fire, plumbing, mechanical, energy, ventilation, and indoor air quality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description do not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to undertake other projects consistent with the role as requested by a supervisor.

• Consults with the public, designers, developers, and others from the construction industry about code requirements before, during and after the construction process.
• Reviews plans, specifications, calculations, and other documents for compliance with code requirements.
• Inspects work to verify compliance with adopted codes, approved plans, and specifications.
• Performs field inspections of construction work to verify compliance with code requirements, approved plans, and specifications.
• Investigates work being conducted without an approved permit and issues stop work orders for such work when appropriate.
• Prepares clear, concise requests for additional information, correction reports, and inspection notes on projects under review and construction.
• Maintains accurate reports and records of plan review and inspection activities.
• May support in leading part-time, temporary, or intern personnel within the division.
• Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• All aspects of building construction materials and methods.
• Building, fire, plumbing, mechanical & energy codes.
• The legal aspects of code enforcement.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, verbally in-person and by phone, and in writing.
• Work with others to ensure effective collaboration, communication, public relations, and diplomacy.
• Work in a manner that ensures balanced application of confidentiality and transparency, organization of work, consistency with decision-making methodology, application of sound problem-solving technique, follow-through, and completion of work.
• Follow-through on assignments in a timely, effective, and efficient manner.
• Effectively use oral and written communication to convey information to the public and to prepare technical papers and reports for city staff, administration, and council use.
• Use a computer for preparing documents, keeping records, data entry, e-mail communication, and accessing information from the internet.
• Create and maintain an effective working relationship with the public, development community, city employees and officials and other allied agency personnel.
• Perform effectively in high stress, emergency, and time critical situations.
• Identify and execute improvement opportunities.
• Read and interpret construction plans, specifications, and calculations related to building, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and ventilation systems and relate them to actual site conditions.
• Read and interpret code provisions and their intent in a rational and consistent manner.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment such as a hardhat, rain and snow gear, boots, goggles, gloves, knee pads, respiratory and ear protection as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Work is primarily performed outdoors involving occasional inclement weather and normal transportation and construction activity as well as occasional emergency scene operations. This may include high noise levels, moving vehicles and heavy machinery, dust, and mud, and traversing exposed and sometimes insecure walkways and platforms, unstable and damaged structures and hazardous environments are additional possible exposures. Work may be performed in a climate-controlled office or conference room setting with a moderate/minimal noise level. May be exposed to angry customers.

Schedule: Typical business hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm with a one-hour meal break. Alternative work arrangements may be available as decided by the building official/fire marshalfollowing the probationary period.

Driving and Travel: Driving would typically require 20 or more hours a workweek. Local travel more than 50% of the time, including to visit other work sites in the area and to attend meetings, trainings, and/or conferences. Overnight travel is possible a few times per year, typically for annual conferences that relate to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work experience in construction plan review and/or inspection of construction projects.
• Experience with construction software, such as Bluebeam preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

The following certifications and licenses are required for the position (or must be obtained within the timeframe stated) and must be maintained for the duration of employment.

• International Code Council (ICC) certification as a building plans examiner or building inspector; one certification required upon hire, with both the building plans examiner and building inspector certifications required within one year of hire.
• A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and at least two years of driving experience.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The physical attributes described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, use hands for keyboarding, talk, hear, read, stand, and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work requires occasional physical exertion to balance, climb ladders, walk over rough surfaces with loose materials, squat, bend, stoop, crawl, reach. Occasionally must lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds and infrequently up to 30 pounds. Position requires average physical agility and manual dexterity.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.
• Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.

The requirements outlined in this job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.