City and County of San Francisco

Under direction, the Senior Building Inspector monitors and reviews records, reports and correspondence of subordinate personnel; performs inspections of buildings and structures as necessary; interprets and explains codes, regulations, ordinances, and laws pertaining to building construction and maintenance; prepares investigation reports; resolves conflicts between the public and subordinates; represents the department at various meetings, hearings, commissions and boards; coordinates and maintains records of training on safety and health issues for subordinate staff; may act as a team leader for emergency purposes during times of disasters; and performs related duties as required.

 

This is the senior-level position in the Building Inspector series.  The Senior Building Inspector is distinguished from the Building Inspector by the responsibility for more difficult and complicated programs or projects, and the supervision of professional staff. Senior Building Inspectors are distinguished from the Chief Building Inspector in that the latter plans and directs the activities of a building inspection unit or regularly supervise a major program or project.

 

Senior Building Inspectors supervise a group of building inspectors and/or subordinate staff whose primary functions are plan review, field inspections and/or code enforcement.

 

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1.    Supervises building inspectors and/or subordinate staff by assigning, monitoring, and evaluating their work; and providing training to inspectors on the interpretation and application of building codes, related ordinances and laws in order to ensure that departmental policies and procedures are adhered to, and that applicable codes, ordinances and laws are properly enforced.

 

2.    At the Bureau of Construction Management, the Senior Building Inspector manages a construction project to ensure quality control and code compliance.

3.    Reviews and revises records, reports, correspondence and plan review, such as records of inspections, daily reports, letters to members of the public, notices of violation, plan review comments and correction notices prepared by building inspectors when necessary to ensure that the work is being performed correctly and in conformance with departmental policies, procedures, work standards, goals and objectives.

4.    Interprets and explains the codes, regulations, ordinances and laws which govern building construction in the City and County of San Francisco, such as the Building Code, Housing Code, Mechanical Code, State Building Standards, Title 24 accessibility requirements and energy conservation standards, appeal procedures, abatement processes, and permit processing to staff and others, including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.

5.    Ensures that information concerning the department procedures is disseminated accurately; and resolve conflicts between staff/inspectors and general public (contractors/property owners) during plan review and field inspection activities.

 

6.    Represents the department at meetings, hearings and in court by preparing evidence and/or appearing before such bodies as the Board of Supervisors, Building Inspection Commission, judicial committees, Access Appeals Commission, Unreinforced Masonry Building Appeals Board, Board of Permit Appeals, the Abatement Appeals Board, and other boards and commissions in order to testify or present information regarding code violation cases and other related matters.

7.    May act as a team leader for emergency response on behalf of the department.

8.    Makes site visits and reviews plans with or without subordinate staff to check buildings and other inspections performed by staff.

9.    Observes, assists and reviews procedures utilized by staff during inspections.

 

10.    Performs inspections when subordinate staffs are absent or as necessary in order to ensure that inspections are performed correctly and completed in a timely manner.

 

Knowledge of: the principles, practices, purposes, scopes and techniques of various phases of building construction; the uses and characteristics of construction, materials and equipment; federal, state and local codes, regulations, ordinances and laws which govern building construction; and principles of supervision.

Ability to: collect, analyze and interpret complex data; assess information in a variety of forms and from various sources and make judgments and recommendations; prepare written reports and make oral presentations of findings and recommendations in public hearings; and work effectively in a team environment; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with government agencies, community groups, special interest advocates, permit applicants, and the general public; carry out complex inspections or projects; work collaboratively with staff and others; present technical information to a general audience; and operate a motor vehicle in order to visit inspection sites and to respond in case of emergencies.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

 

Experience:

 

Two (2) years of verifiable experience as a building inspector with a public agency performing duties at a level equivalent to class 6331 Building Inspector with the City and County of San Francisco.

Possession of a valid Class C California driver license.

 

Possession of the Commercial and Residential Building Inspector certifications or the Building Plans Examiner certification, issued by the International Code Council (ICC), is required.  Inspectors must maintain the certification as a condition of continued employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

 

These positions require the ability to work in inclement weather; and possible exposure to hazardous conditions found in and around damaged buildings, structures or construction sites.  Also required is the ability to move into and out of buildings, tunnels, ditches and other related areas; to climb or crawl into and out of spaces which must be inspected; and to use ladders, scaffolds and other special equipment.  These positions require the operation of a motor vehicle in order to visit inspection sites and to respond in case of emergencies.

 

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: 6334 Chief Building Inspector

 

From: 6331 Building Inspector

 

ORIGINATION DATE:     9/8/71

AMENDED DATE:      6/5/02; 08/30/12

 

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.