On-Call Electrical/Building Inspector

Incumbents are responsible for reviewing construction plans and inspecting construction of new industrial, commercial, multifamily, and single family buildings, and remodel work to existing structures, to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, thereby ensuring minimum standards for fire and life/safety codes, structural integrity, and public welfare.

Principal Accountabilities

• Inspect buildings and structures to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations relating to building construction, electrical systems, mechanical systems, plumbing systems state energy code requirements, local zoning requirements, and job site erosion control.
• Investigate compliance complaints and, if necessary, mediate a resolution.
• Assist with investigation of fires and enter associated documentation in computerized tracking system.
• Review construction plans to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the City of Kirkland Electrical Code; and any additional applicable codes, laws, and regulations including the Washington State Energy Codes.

• Performs residential, commercial, and industrial on-site inspections at various stages of construction to assure compliance with the City of Kirkland's building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical codes and related codes, and notes violations. Review approved plans that are posted on construction sites to see that they are being properly implemented. Reinspects to ensure all noted violations have been corrected. The incumbent has the authority to stop work on a construction site if code violations are not corrected and makes the final approval of a structure prior to occupancy.
• Inspects sites for grading and soil excavation or other land modifications. Makes a visual survey of the construction site to determine if a licensed survey is to be required for setback verification.
• Responds to public and contractor inquiries concerning interpretation of the City's construction codes, construction problems, and City administrative procedures. This requires clear, concise, oral and written communication skills.
• Investigates complaints such as litter on property, unlawful grading, and mud on streets, and initiates the actions required to remedy the situation.
• Investigates and responds to complaints regarding code compliance; informs individual making the complaint if a violation occurred and, if so, what corrective action has been taken.
• Monitors construction to see that it is completed before occupancy of the building, the permit expires, or sees that the permit is renewed in a timely fashion.
• Maintains adequate records to assure proper documentation of inspections.
• Inspects nonstructural problems with building sites, such as surface water problems and inadequate access, and assures that they are corrected or referred to the appropriate City department.
• Position requires daily use of computer. Incumbent must have, or be able to learn, basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Plans and schedules routes in order to ensure the most efficient use of time.
• Answers questions and provides technical advice related to construction code compliance.
• Logs daily inspections and prepares inspection reports.
• Reads special inspection reports for compliance and files reports.
• Performs daily inspections of vehicles to include checking tires and lights and determining if service is necessary.
• Performs electrical plans review for permit issue in the office or on the job site when required.
• Attends pre-construction meetings with contractors, engineers, architects, and city staff as needed.

• Must become familiar with City policies and attend staff meetings to discuss Planning and Building Department and City issues and changes in policy.
• Must become familiar with Planning and Building department regulations to identify trees and plants on approved drawings.
• The incumbent is expected to perform as an emergency worker in the event of a disaster.

• Considerable knowledge of possible defects and faults in electrical wiring and appliances, and of stages in electrical construction where such faults and defects are most readily ascertained and remedied.
• Knowledge of local, state, and regional/international building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes.
• Considerable knowledge in the area of repair and maintenance, testing, and corrective measures as they relate to electrical installations.
• Considerable knowledge of the standards and practices of building construction, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, and electrical installations.
• Ability to read and understand complex drawings such that may be seen for hospitals, multi-family, and office buildings and ability to apply applicable laws and codes to residential, industrial, commercial, clinics, hospitals and surgery rooms.
• Maintains knowledge of the various changes in local, state, and regional/international construction codes, which are of technological changes in building materials and changing architectural philosophies. This will require attendance at college-level courses and/or trade seminars as they become available, provided they are necessary to achieve objectives.
• Knowledge of construction techniques and material.
• Must have or be able to learn basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Skill in reading and understanding blueprints and drawings.
• Skill in interpreting codes.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing tasks.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and diplomatic manner.
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with engineers, architects, coworkers, supervisor, the general public etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED. Must have good oral and written communication skills. Must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Must be a certified commercial (EL01) journey level electrician with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries with four years of journey level experience.
• Must obtain International Code Council (ICC) Commercial Building Inspector certification within one year from date of hire.

Working Conditions
The position is driving to or being at construction sites a majority of the time. Potential hazards at construction sites might include falling objects, loose footing, and construction equipment. The position may be required to climb ladders, occasionally walk on scaffolding, crawl in crawl spaces, and be exposed to inclement weather and adverse conditions. The incumbent will be subject to call-back during off-duty hours to assist emergency personnel with assessing electrical systems. The incumbent is expected to perform as an emergency worker in the event of a disaster.

• Positions in this class typically involve indoor and outdoor work in extreme variable temperature and atmospheric conditions. Duties may require extended periods of talking or listening, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, feeling, and seeing.
• Incumbents may be subjected to being around high voltage equipment and power lines, moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, fumes, odors, gasses, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, and travel.
• Work typically includes exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 35 pounds of force more frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.