County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This series specification describes two Building Inspector classes which, under general supervision at the lower level and under direction at the higher level, examines dwellings and commercial buildings under construction or alteration for conformity to the Alameda County Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, the Zoning Ordinance, the California Energy Conservation Regulations, Green Buildings, and Disabled Access, and the Alameda County Housing Code; and to perform other related duties.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The class of Building Inspector II is responsible for the examination of all types of building construction, including commercial, high rise, apartments, condominiums and subdivision tracts. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Supervising Building Inspector in that the latter class has supervisory authority over the Building Inspectors and program responsibility for the Building Regulations Section of the Building Inspection Department.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

1. Inspects all types of building construction, including commercial, high rise, apartments, condominiums and subdivision tracts for conformity to the Alameda County Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, the Zoning Ordinance, the California Energy Conservation Regulations, and the Alameda County Housing Code. The more varied and complicated construction that Building Inspector II’s examine includes:

a. Structural framing of heavy timber, concrete, masonry and steel.
b. Retaining walls or foundations with multiple rebar curtains or mats.
c. Electrical installations using conduit or wireways.
d. Three phase electrical installations or installations where the voltage to ground is in excess of 600 volts.
e. Electrical services over 400 amp capacity. 
f. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems using motors of five horsepower and greater.
g. Absorption air conditioning systems, and machinery or mechanical equipment rooms.
h. Steam and hot water boilers.
i. Public or quasi-public swimming pools.
j. Gas distribution systems conveying natural gas or LPG at medium or high pressure.
k. Drains, waste and vents for buildings over three stories in height.
l. Fire sprinkler systems.
m. Commercial cooking equipment, hoods, grease interceptors, and freezers per the California Restaurant Act.
n. Installations such as paint spray booths or service stations involving hazardous locations.
o. Health care facilities.
p. Places of assembly with occupant loads over 100.

2. Investigates complaints and reports received from the general public, contractors, and building construction personnel regarding such matters as building code violations, hazardous conditions and damage to buildings and construction personnel.

3. Issues "Stop Work" orders and correction notices, or sends correspondence to building construction personnel regarding situations of deliberate or negligent noncompliance to building construction codes and regulations.

4. Participates in the department's in-service training program for building inspectors as necessary and participates in training sessions on inspection problems.

5. Composes routine correspondence and correspondence regarding code violations and unsafe conditions and indicates work required to correct same.

6. Reviews and approves building materials and equipment for compliance with the Alameda County Building Codes.

7. Consults with Senior Inspectors of other jurisdictions regarding code interpretations and problems of inspections.

8. Receives plans, checks for compliance with codes and approves plans or indicates required corrections.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Building Inspector I or Plans Checker in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of four years full-time journey-level experience in a building trade and the equivalent of three years of experience as an inspector in a public building inspection department.

License:

• Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Possession of certification as an Inspector or Plan Reviewer by the International Code Council (ICC) is desirable.
• Possession of certification as a California Access Specialist (CASp) is desirable.

Special Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the State law requires that a Building Inspector must qualify for a certification in at least one of the building codes (Plumbing, Electrical, Building or Mechanical) or combination of all four codes by the International Code Council (ICC) by the end of two years of employment. Not obtaining a certificate in at least one of the building codes after two years of employment will result in termination.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of: 

• California Building Code, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Code.
• California Energy Conservation Regulations, Green Buildings, and Disabled Access.
• County Zoning Ordinances.
• Construction and installation practices and methods.
• Materials and tools of the building trades.
• Principles of supervision. 


Ability to:

· Read and interpret plans of complex design.
· Estimate structural requirements without benefit of plans.
· Develop training topics and talks.
· Detect substandard materials and workmanship.
· Maintain effective working relationships with the public and members of the building industry, sometimes under stressful conditions.
· Perform mathematical calculations related to the building trades.
· Write clearly and concisely.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PR:lm-h
Revised: 3/85
BW:pb
Revised: 1/86
TAT:pb
Revised: 8/87
DF:lm
Revised: 2/97
Old document: 0770h.doc
New document: Jobspecs/8305-8310
ys/9/01
CSC Date: 3/19/97
GH:cs Revised 7/9/15
CSC Date: 8/19/15

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.