Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services, to perform a variety of skilled field and office work involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations regarding mechanical and plumbing installations; to inspect new construction, remodeling, and repairs to determine compliance with City mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas codes; to review plans and specifications to determine compliance with City codes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing I/II position exercises no supervision.

The Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing III has limited supervision over lower-level staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Inspect residential, commercial, and industrial mechanical and plumbing installations in structures undergoing construction, repair, or remodeling for compliance with City mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas codes, and safety standards.

Check plans and specifications for compliance with current adopted City codes for residential.

Enforce adopted City mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas codes; identify areas of non-compliance; discuss problems with contractors/developers; identify ways of correcting deficiencies.

Issue Stop Work Orders.

Inspect work sites to ensure that contractors and workers have appropriate licenses, and that proper material and practices are utilized.

Prepare detailed inspection reports: review permit applications and enter, maintain, process, and print permit data.

Receive telephone calls from contractors and homeowners.

Review and issue plumbing and mechanical permits per approved applications.

Enter daily inspection into building inspections software program.

Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to various job sites throughout the City limits. 

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing II

Serve as advisor to Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas Sub-Committee.

Check plans and specifications for compliance with current adopted City codes for residential and commercial.

Assist in evaluating buildings considered for rehabilitation or demolition; evaluate mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas installations at property owner’s request for code and life safety compliance.

Assist the Assistant Building Official in determining approval of alternate methods and materials.

Inspect backflow devices and review test reports on backflow assemblies.

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing III

Check plans and specifications for compliance with current adopted City codes for residential, commercial and industrial.

Hold classes for stakeholders to educate new codes adopted by the city and educate of minor and major changes.

Assist the Assistant Building Official in researching current house bills and legislation that affect the construction industry in our area.

Stay current on all plumbing and mechanical licensing rules and laws.

Investigate fire damaged structures and assist owner/contractor on repair requirements. 

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas construction and installation methods, practices, and materials.

Possible defects and faults in mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas construction as well as installation activities; standard testing devices, methods, and corrective measures.

International Mechanical, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Verbally and in writing communicate code violations.

Operate a variety of tools and equipment used in mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas inspection work including ladder, gas gauges, level, screwdriver, tape measure, pliers, etc.

Organize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Operate office equipment to include computer, scanner, tablet, copier and smart phone.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to:

Learn applicable mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas codes.

Understand and interpret codes, plans, schematics and specifications.

Detect and locate defective mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas installations, and ascertain the stage of construction or installation when defects are most easily found and corrected.

Enforce codes with firmness, tact, and impartiality.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.         

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing III

Ability to:

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing I

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience in mechanical and or plumbing installation work as a Journeyman and/or Master Plumber is required.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or GED certification is required.           

License or Certificate:

A current valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Ability to obtain a Plumbing Inspector License issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners within eighteen (18) months of employment is required.

Ability to obtain a Mechanical Inspector Certification through the International Code Council (ICC) within twenty-four (24) months of employment is required.

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing II

Experience:

One (1) year of experience in work comparable to the duties of Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing I in Building Inspections with the City of Abilene.

Education/Training:

Continued training through International Code Council (ICC) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to maintain all required certifications obtained is required.

License or Certificate:

A Residential Plumbing Inspector or Residential Mechanical Inspector certification from the International Code Council (ICC) is required. 

Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing III

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in work comparable to the duties of Inspector – Mechanical - Plumbing II in Building Inspections with the City of Abilene.

License or Certificate:

A Plumbing Plans Examiner or Mechanical Plans Examiner from the International Code Council (ICC) is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_ Standing

_M_ Sitting

_M_ Walking

_ I_ Lifting

_ I_ Carrying

_I_ Pushing/Pulling

_A_ Overhead Work

_A _ Fine Dexterity

_I_ Kneeling

_I_ Crouching

_A_ Crawling

_M_ Bending

_M_ Twisting

_I _ Climbing

_I_ Balancing

_E_ Vision

_E_ Hearing

_M_ Talking

___ Other: _____________________