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Richland County Government

Inspector III

Richland County Government, Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29204

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Commercial Inspector

The purpose as commercial inspectors with exceptional and specialized training, experience, and certifications being able to assist, fill in, and perform additional duties as required. Under the general supervision of the Building Official or Supervisor, this position is responsible for comprehensive inspection and reports for new and existing commercial/industrial/high rise/assembly and other complex buildings designs & components; and able to assist in inspections and training of residential inspections and unsafe structures/housing, to insure compliance with all applicable County-approved plans, specifications, codes, and standards. They conduct comprehensive and Life Safety inspections for commercial building construction to ensure compliance with all applicable building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, hood, fire suppression, sprinkler, and fire codes and related codes and ordinances; to interpret codes as requested for contractors, owners, and the general public, and to perform related administrative and technical work as assigned. This position requires: a Bachelor's Degree in construction, engineering, or architecture, and 3 years of experience in a construction-related field, or an associate's degree with 5 years of experience in a construction-related field or 7 years of experience with a government jurisdiction as an inspector or 10 years of experience in the construction industry or what Richland County regards as an equivalent combination of education and experience; Commercial inspectors will be required to be able to conduct all facets of inspections and reports for Unsafe Housing, Residential one and two family dwellings, and Commercial Construction including Fire code inspections for each, and to perform related administrative and technical work as assigned. Performs building damage assessments after natural or other disasters. Inspector will be available 24/7 in case of emergency or special assignments (night or weekends) as required by the Director for performance of job duties and in case of emergencies. Must have a thorough understanding of all facets of construction methods and practices, and properties of materials and soils. Must be able to read, interpret, and apply detailed and complex building plans and other technical drawings to architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other building systems. Must be able to understand and apply all mandatory building codes adopted for use in South Carolina: certifications from the International Code Council as a Commercial Building Inspector, Commercial Electrical Inspector, Commercial Mechanical Inspector, Commercial Plumbing Inspector, and Property Maintenance. Preferred are Zoning and FEMA - Floodplain certifications, CFM, (allowing, from the date of hire 12 months for the first two certifications and 48 months total to obtain all certifications and the corresponding registrations License as required from the South Carolina Building Codes Council. as G2 Inspector). A valid South Carolina driver's license is required. Knowledge of codes and ordinances by Richland County are: International Building Code; International Fire Code; International Plumbing Code; International Mechanical Code; International Fuel Gas Code; International Energy Conservation Code; International Residential Code; National Electrical Code; ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities; and Building Energy Efficiency Standards Act. Must have well-developed interpersonal communications skills, and positive customer-service attitude, and be able to enforce building codes and other County development regulations firmly, fairly, and courteously. Must have or be able to acquire computer skills for the use of handheld data entry systems and office applications such as e-mail. Must keep complete, accurate, and current records. Physical Requirements Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle as well as various types of office equipment, such as a personal computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and architectural/engineering scale. Required to exert modest force constantly, up to 15 pounds of force frequently, and up to 30 pounds of force occasionally to push, pull, lift, carry, or otherwise manipulate objects. Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and handling are constant activities. Must be able to crawl under buildings and pull one's own body weight up into attic spaces, climb ladders and inspections on roofs that will be 4 stories and higher. This position requires exacting and intense concentration and visual attention. Requires the ability to comprehend and explain oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions. Working Conditions Work is performed under normal office conditions approximately 10% of the time. 20% of the time may be spent driving and 70% on construction sites subject to uncomfortable heat, cold, and other environmental conditions. Inspections may require inspections and proximity to dangerous electrical and other building systems. Occasionally, the incumbent may encounter an irate or even hostile property owner or other customer who threatens violence over code enforcement. In the wake of a natural or other disaster, building damage assessments may require exposure to hazardous conditions. Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities Obtains all required International Code Council certifications within established deadlines. Obtains and maintains all corresponding Code Enforcement Officer registrations issued by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. Accordingly, accumulates a minimum of 12 hours per year of continuing education, and abides by the Council's conflict of interest regulations. Comprehensively investigates and inspects, upon complaint or other knowledge, existing buildings and structures which may be unsafe, unfit, or unlawful. Firmly, fairly, and courteously enforces: the condemnation and closing of unfit, vacant buildings or structures; the vacating, temporary safeguarding, and emergency repair of unsafe buildings or structures; and either the repair or demolition and debris removal of unsafe buildings or structures. Initiates and monitors expenditures and liens for: the closing of unfit, vacant buildings or structures; the temporary safeguarding and emergency repair of unsafe buildings or structures; and the demolition and debris removal of unsafe buildings or structures. Issues compliance orders and notices of violation, posts properties with notices and condemnation placards, and maintains official records of complaints, investigations, communications, administrative actions, legal proceedings, and expenditures. Consults with property owners, neighborhood leaders, contractors, builders, trades craftsmen, and other customers in person, by telephone, and through correspondence. In concert with the Building Official, processes and participates in appeals to the Building Codes Board of Adjustment, regarding decisions, notices, or orders issued. Coordinates property maintenance, residential and commercial inspections and administrative orders with other building inspectors and building officials. Assists with the inspections of demolition and debris removal vendors, and manages their contractual relationships with the County. In consultation with the Building Official and/or Director that approves the use, and may require the testing, of alternative materials and methods of construction as deemed appropriate. As required, comprehensively inspects new and existing commercial buildings, multi-family dwellings, to insure compliance with all applicable building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing, fire safety, handicapped, and energy conservation codes, and County-approved plans, specifications, and standards. Also residential construction and unsafe structures as needed to include respective codes as required. Firmly, fairly, and courteously enforces building code, zoning ordinance, floodplain management, and other land development regulations of Richland County. Keeps Building Official and Plans Examiners aware of problems discovered in field inspections. Coordinates building inspection activity with relevant County staff and external agencies. Assist with plans reviews for residential and commercial when needed. Assists customers with questions and interpretations concerning specific code sections, and their application to general and particular situations. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings to improve code enforcement. Prepares and processes various records and reports, such as permits, inspections, time sheets, and utility releases. Seeks to improve and reform department policies, procedures, and workflow to achieve more successful results. Promotes efficient use of County equipment, materials, and supplies. Helps develop and maintain complete, accurate, and current paper records and computer databases. Assists other Commercial Building Inspectors, substitutes for Residential Building Inspectors, unsafe inspectors, and performs other duties as assigned. Maintains valid South Carolina driver's license and meet State Certification requirements. Comprehensively inspects all types of new and existing construction in all occupancy groups, to insure compliance with all applicable building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing, fire safety, handicapped, and energy conservation codes, and County-approved plans, specifications, and standards. Discovers conditions of code non-compliance and issues corrective notices to responsible parties. Firmly, fairly, and courteously enforces building code, zoning ordinance, floodplain management, and other land development regulations of Richland County. Keeps Building Official and Plans Examiners aware of problems discovered in field inspections. Coordinates building inspection activity with relevant County staff and external agencies. Consults with architects, engineers, surveyors, developers, contractors, builders, trades craftsmen, and the general public in person, by telephone, and through correspondence. Assists customers with questions and interpretations concerning specific code sections, and their application to general and particular situations. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings to improve code enforcement and process. Performs building damage assessments after natural or other disasters.