Property Maintenance Inspector (Building Inspector)
City of Charlottesville
Charlottesville, VA
Business Management / Project / Planning, Manufacturing / Production
The Property Maintenance Inspector (Building Inspector) performs responsible technical work in the enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) as interpreted by the State Building Code Technical Review Board and applicable City Code in relation to new and/or existing residential, commercial, or property maintenance and buildings, as assigned. Work is performed under the general supervision of and reports to either the Building Code Official or Property Maintenance Code Official, depending on assignment.
The preferred hiring range for this position is between $25.31 - $30.47 an hour ($52,625.44 - $63,369.45 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.
Job Knowledge
The preferred hiring range for this position is between $25.31 - $30.47 an hour ($52,625.44 - $63,369.45 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.
- For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
- The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option. While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.
- Performs, schedules, and plans routine field inspections of new and/or existing buildings, structures, and/or properties to ensure code and ordinance compliance.
- Investigate complaints of sub-standard and hazardous conditions in buildings, structures, and/or properties.
- Checks for code compliance and safety of work being performed.
- Approves or rejects inspections based on building codes.
- Issues warnings and stop-work orders for violations.
- Depending on assignment:
- Reviews building plans, permit application information and inspects buildings during construction, alteration, or repair for compliance with building codes.
- Produces certificates of occupancy and building occupancy loads.
- Writes letters of code compliance or noncompliance, warrants, and notices of violations when compliance is not achieved.
- Completes inspection reports and maintains records regarding inspections, using appropriate database systems.
- Responds to citizen complaints and works with property owners to resolve complaints and code violations.
- Answers questions from citizens, contractors, designers, and builders regarding enforcement and/or future changes to the building codes.
- Assists in the coordination and the dissemination of information with interdepartmental or intergovernmental implications.
- Operates a city vehicle in the performance of duties.
- Testifies in court on code violation cases as needed.
- Conducts minimum code inspections as required.
- Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
- May perform after-hours inspection/investigation of buildings where fires and structural failures or damage have occurred.
- May represent the department on various organizational committees.
- Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.
- High School Diploma or GED AND at least 3 years of experience and general knowledge in at least one of the following areas: building construction; building construction conceptual and administrative processes; building, fire or housing inspections; plumbing, electrical or mechanical trades; or fire protection, elevator or property maintenance work.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above that would confer equivalent knowledge and ability. (13VAC5-63-50, Code of Virginia).
- Within 18 months of start date, must obtain certification per the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, (Virginia Certification Standards).
- Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
- Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Job Knowledge
- General knowledge of building construction, materials and methods.
- Knowledge of Virginia construction codes and related laws and ordinances.
- Knowledge of stages of construction where possible violations and defects may be observed and corrected.
- Working knowledge of poor workmanship, deficiencies, inferior materials, and hazards of fire and collapsing buildings.
- Working knowledge of building construction, housing inspections, electrical, elevators, fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, and/or property maintenance.
- Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, multi-step instruction manuals, reference materials, and building code materials.
- May read and interpret plans and specifications of ordinary complexity in timely manner and accurately compare them with construction in process.
- Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
- Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.
- Intermediate: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, officials, agencies, businesses, and the public. Provides and receives standard to complex information. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.
- Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.
- Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skill in the use of Microsoft office applications and department software.
- No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.
- No supervisory responsibilities. May assist helpers, contractors, seasonal employees, interns or temps.
- Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
- Working closely with others as part of a team.
- Tedious or exacting work.
- Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Frequent change of tasks.
- Constant interruptions and requests for service.
- May require emergency response.
- May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule.
- May be required to work a non-traditional work schedule.
- May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
- Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- Field work requires traversing interior and exterior of buildings, construction sites, and structures including uneven terrain and obstructions. Must be able to climb, crawl, stoop, crouch, balance, and safety maneuver at indoor and outdoor work sites.
- Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Occasionally moves about inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Regular interaction with citizens and businesses.
- Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.
- Requires use of construction tools and inspection equipment.
- A combination of on-site inspections and standard office environment. Required to climb, crawl and access various areas within or around buildings, properties and construction sites or during emergencies and in all weather conditions.
- Work requires visiting construction sites and exposure to extreme temperatures, extreme brightness or darkness, chemicals/hazardous waste, gases, electrical hazards, fumes/airborne particles. May encounter exposure to inclement weather, wet or humid conditions, uneven terrain, noise, fumes, dusts and pollen, animals/wildlife, and traffic.
- Noise level varies from moderate to loud depending on the work site.
About the company
Company website•Government Administration
Charlottesville, Virginia is an independent city with a population of approximately 45,000. Located in Central Virginia, Charlottesville sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 100 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and 70 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
Our community is known as a major university town and residents enjoy the very best of urban, suburban, and rural life. The City offers a wide variety of cultural, social, and recreational opportunities, including the Downtown Pedestrian Mall which is a center for art, music, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Residents also enjoy a wide variety of amenities, ranging from 25 City parks, to an outdoor performance pavilion, numerous venues for music/theater performances, festivals, and museums. Charlottesville is a diverse and unique community and is an ideal place in which to live, work, and play.
The City operates under a City Manager/Council form of government. City Council establishes policy in the areas of city planning and finance, human development, public safety and justice, public utilities, transportation and other areas and has specific powers to pass ordinances, levy taxes, collect revenues, adopt a budget, make appropriations, issue bonds, borrow money, and provide for the payment of public debts. Administrative and executive duties are performed by the City Manager.
The City of Charlottesville has a diverse workforce of approximately 950 benefit-eligible employees, in addition to temporary and seasonal staff, made up of administrative, professional, technical, public safety, and skilled/trade workers who are dedicated to public service in this exceptional city. Consider employment with the City of Charlottesville; be part of our team, make a difference in the community and build a meaningful career!