Building Inspector - I

Living in Placer County from Placer County Video Portal

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To review building plans and conduct inspections of residential and commercial buildings under construction or being remodeled; to determine compliance of plans and of buildings under construction with applicable State and County codes and standards.

This is the entry level class in the Building Inspection series.  This class is distinguished from the journey by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives immediate supervision from management or supervisory staff; may receive technical or functional supervision from other technical or professional staff.

• Perform as a team member in carrying out program tasks of the Building Division.
• Review, assess and approve building plans and calculations regarding structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design and construction aspects for compliance with all applicable local and state codes.
• Conduct field inspections of buildings during construction or remodeling for compliance with all applicable local and state codes and approved plans and specifications; set up inspection schedule and route and travel to field sites; approve work done or note corrections to be made; prepare correction letters and inspection reports.
• Interpret and explain applicable building codes, Division policies and procedures to the public; assist the public at the public counter and/or by telephone in the processing of permits and applications; provide technical assistance to others within the Building Division as needed; coordinate with other County departments and/or with outside agencies as needed. 
• Maintain files, retrieve permit information, issue permits and conduct permit research.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: Three years of building trades experience is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  Additional specialized training in the building trades or construction technology is desirable.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to the completion of the probationary period, a valid Certificate of Registration as a Building Inspector issued by the International Code Council.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of building design, construction and inspection.
• Federal, State and local building and associated codes.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job.  Intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve building inspection activities; sit at desk for long periods of time; and stand at the counter to answer questions of the public.
• Intermittently, walk, stand, kneel, climb, crawl and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate and occasionally lift moderate weight.
• Under supervision, review and analyze construction plans and inspect construction projects; conduct and document multiple inspections; maintain accurate and separate records for each inspection.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.
• Use a computer, calculator, telephone, and photocopy machine.
• Drive an automobile in all weather conditions.
• Under supervision, conduct and document multiple inspections; maintain accurate and separate records for each inspection.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Kristen Cannon, Administrative Technician, at kcannon@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.