Description
The City of Buena Park Community and Economic Development Department is accepting applications for Senior Building Inspector/Plan Checker.
Join the team responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the Buena Park community through the enforcement of the City’s building codes and ordinances for newly constructed and remodeled buildings on private property. The City's professional Building and Safety team offers the opportunity to work on exciting, diverse, large-scale commercial, industrial, and multi-family development projects.
This position requires a highly motivated, adaptable, energetic, and experienced building Inspector. The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders while thriving in a fast-paced team environment.
Highly desirable qualifications for candidates interested in this position include having an International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Plans Examiner, supervisory experience, experience interpreting and applying building codes and regulations within a municipal environment, and experience working on large, complex commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and high-rise development projects.
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs a range of complex and routine building inspections in the enforcement of building, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy, fire, accessibility, safety and related codes and regulations; performs checks of building plans and specifications for compliance with construction standards; and does related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Senior Building Inspector/Plan Checker is differentiated from the Building Inspector in that it also performs the most complex inspections and checks construction plan specifications for structural integrity and has more specialized knowledge of city requirements and building construction practices. The Senior Building Inspector/Plan Checker is distinguished from the Building and Safety Manager who serves as division manager with broader administrative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.
- Schedules and conducts field inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial building projects at various stages of construction for work requiring permits to enforce building, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, grading, accessibility, safety, and related codes and regulations.
- Inspects sites and buildings before construction or alteration to determine practicability of plans, compliance with regulations and validity of permits; inspects building sites during construction, alteration or repair for compliance with the minimum standards of building and related codes and regulations.
- Answers questions and advises property owners, contractors, architects, engineers and others on matters relevant to construction methods, materials, types of construction, occupancies, and applicability of codes and standards.
- Assists Building Inspectors with more complex building inspections or technical questions; investigates and resolves building and municipal code violations and complaints.
- Reviews plans and specifications for buildings and related construction at the public counter and given more extensive review; requests additional information or conditions as required, and issues construction permits and certificates of occupancy.
- Interprets codes and regulations, and explains inspections and construction requirements to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and rehabilitation program funding recipients, property owners, and the general public.
- Issues correction notices and writes notices of violations or substandard conditions correspondence to property owners or contractors, and recommends prosecution actions in serious situations involving non-compliance; issues citations and stop work notices, as needed.
- Advises code enforcement personnel regarding building construction issues and provides assistance in conducting property inspections and writing corrections notices.
- Prepares field inspection and permit inspection reports on a regular basis.
- Maintains records of building inspections and plans, and actions taken; monitors and completes complaint logs.
- Participates in staff and administrative meetings; coordinates completion of inspections and records with other building inspection staff and other city departments to report construction progress, code compliance, and violations.
- Answers technical questions and direct inquiries to appropriate departments in the absence of the Building and Safety Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
International Building Code, and plumbing, mechanical, electrical and housing codes and construction classifications; federal and state requirements related to accessibility under the Americans With Disabilities Act; principles, methods and practices used in various building construction trades, including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, commercial and residential building construction methods and practices; laws, ordinances and codes regulating building construction and zoning practices; appropriate safety and fire prevention methods in construction practices; building inspection trends and standards; construction products and applications; effective customer service techniques.
Ability to:
Operate computer equipment and use word processing and specialized permit and building inspection software programs; exercise judgment in reviewing and interpreting building plans and specifications; determine compliance of plans with regulations and permits; organize and prioritize daily inspections; inspect building sites during construction, alteration or repair and enforce building, zoning, and related codes and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, property owners, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, and utility representatives; exercise tact in persuading upset individuals to voluntarily comply with codes, standards and regulations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare and present clear and concise inspection reports and maintain accurate records.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger and feel inspection surface areas and use inspection tools and operate computer hardware. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee is required to talk, hear, and frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. Inspection activities require frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, and occasionally crawling. The employee climbs stairs and ladders to access rooftops and elevated inspection areas. The employee lifts and carries inspection tools, records, or electronic devices that typically weigh less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret blueprints, documents, and other types of information; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; interact with staff, management, contractors, officials, and the general public, including situations involving interpersonal conflicts regarding code interpretations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee constantly works outdoors in conducting inspections and is exposed to variable weather conditions as well as heat, humidity, and moisture. The employee conducts inspections from elevated surfaces and in confined spaces. The employee is exposed to traffic, fumes and airborne particles, and the risk of shock during electrical inspections. The noise level is frequently loud at construction sites. Administrative and record keeping functions are typically completed within an office environment where the noise level is quiet or moderately quiet.
Requirements
EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required. Four years of experience in varied building inspection and plans examination work involving the application and interpretation of construction codes and building regulations is required.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.
International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Combination Building Inspector, or ICC certification in two or more inspection areas such as building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical inspection practices, is required. ICC certification as a Plans Examiner is highly desirable.
Ability to work on call to respond to emergency inspection needs.
APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT
TESTING SCHEDULE (DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
ORAL INTERVIEWS: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application.
All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to oral interview and/or written exams, physical agility testing, and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.
The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
The City of Buena Park Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy requires that all applicants undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment.
