Description

Under the direction of the Community and Economic Development Director, the Building Inspector is responsible for conducting inspections and assisting with the enforcement of applicable building codes, zoning regulations, rental housing standards, and related City ordinances. The Building Inspector works to ensure compliance with applicable state and local laws, regulations, permits, approved plans, and adopted ordinances. Responsibilities include conducting inspections of new and existing structures, rental properties, investigating complaints, proactively identifying code compliance issues, identifying code deficiencies, coordinating corrective actions, and assisting with code enforcement activities. The Building Inspector also assists with occupancy reviews, rental housing inspections, property maintenance compliance efforts, and related departmental programs. The Building Inspector works collaboratively with City departments, contractors, developers, property owners, architects, engineers, state agencies, and the public to promote safe, compliant, and high-quality development throughout the City. 

Requirements

Essential Job Functions: An employee in this position may be called upon to perform any or all of the following duties. These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive:

Building and Zoning Administration:

• Interpret and apply applicable building codes, zoning regulations, rental housing standards, and City ordinances while conducting inspections and compliance activities.
• Assist builders, developers, contractors, property owners, and residents with permit requirements, inspection procedures, and code compliance matters.
• Answer inquiries regarding zoning regulations, land use requirements, permit procedures, rental housing requirements, and City ordinances.
• Explain code requirements, ordinance provisions, corrective action requirements, appeal procedures, and variance processes.
• Investigate complaints involving building code, zoning, rental housing, and property maintenance violations and assist with corrective action efforts in accordance with City policies and applicable regulations.
• Recommend corrective actions and provide guidance for bringing non-compliant properties into compliance.
• Inspections and Code Enforcement Conduct inspections of new construction, remodeling projects, existing structures, rental properties, occupancy-related inspections, and other regulated properties to ensure compliance with approved permits, applicable codes, and City ordinances.
• Conduct rental housing inspections and re-inspections to verify compliance with applicable City ordinances, housing standards, and rental registration requirements.
• Perform required inspections during construction and prior to occupancy and coordinate inspection schedules with the Building Department Superintendent and Administrative Coordinator as necessary.
• Coordinate with electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspectors as required.
• Identify code violations, issue notices of noncompliance, and monitor corrective actions. Participate in inspections of vacant, dilapidated, or potentially unsafe structures and document findings.
• Assist with enforcement of property maintenance standards, rental housing requirements, and housing-related regulations.
• Assist with occupancy and temporary occupancy reviews and provide inspection documentation necessary for issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and Temporary Certificates of Occupancy.
• Proactively identify, investigate, and document apparent code compliance issues, including deteriorated structures, failing roofs, unsafe accessory structures, damaged fencing, property maintenance deficiencies, and other conditions that may violate applicable codes, rental housing standards, or City ordinances, and initiate corrective action procedures as appropriate.
• Coordination and Public Service Serve as a resource to residents, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, and other stakeholders regarding code requirements, inspection procedures, rental housing regulations, and City ordinances.
• Coordinate with City departments, including Housing, Public Works, Police, Fire, and Planning staff, to support effective code administration and compliance activities.
• Participate in the Development Review Committee process. Coordinate with state agencies, fire officials, and trade inspectors regarding code compliance matters.
• Assist the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Construction Board of Appeals as needed.
• Records and Reporting Maintain accurate records of inspections, complaints, investigations, code enforcement activities, rental housing inspections, and related departmental activities.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, notices, and documentation related to inspections, code compliance, and enforcement activities.
• Provide monthly, annual, and special reports to City administration, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders as requested.
• Other Duties Assist the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Improvement with inspections associated with rental housing and housing rehabilitation programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Community and Economic Development Director or City Manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license.
• Registration with the State of Michigan as a Building Inspector as required by the Michigan Construction Code.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a building inspector, code enforcement officer, construction professional, property inspector, building department employee, or in a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications Certification with the State of Michigan as a Building Official. Familiarity with BS&A software or similar municipal permitting systems. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough knowledge of building construction methods and inspection practices.

• Thorough knowledge of applicable building codes, zoning regulations, ordinances, and related laws.
• Knowledge of rental housing regulations, property maintenance standards, and municipal code enforcement practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply building codes, rental housing standards, zoning regulations, and City ordinances.
• Ability to conduct building, occupancy, and rental housing inspections and identify deficiencies requiring corrective action.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism when interacting with contractors, property owners, City officials, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others, review documents, and conduct field inspections. The employee frequently stands, walks, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawls. The employee may occasionally lift and move objects of moderate weight. Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field work may involve exposure to moving mechanical equipment, construction sites, outdoor weather conditions, airborne particles, vibration, and electrical hazards.