PRINCIPAL BUILDING INSPECTOR                                                  5109

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general supervision, an employee in this class is responsible for administrative tasks directing the building and zoning inspection functions of the depart­ment and for making recommendations concerning departmental administrative and legal problems. Supervision is exercised over technical and cleri­cal personnel. General supervision is received from an administrative supervisor through personal consultations on administrative and legal problems.  The incumbent performs administrative and supervisory work assisting in directing the functions of a large building department.  Performs related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

            Assists in planning, assigning, reviewing, and supervising the activities of the department through supervisory and technical personnel;

            Interprets building codes, fire ordinances and zoning ordinances to archi­tects, engineers, building contractors, and subordinates;

            Reviews and approves new products and methods used in construction;

            Receives violators referred by Building Inspectors; determines code equiva­lency for violator, explains to violator methods of gaining compliance with the building code;

            Gives technical supervision to building, plumbing and sign inspectors;

            Makes inspections of buildings which may have difficult problems involved and approves code variations;

            Supervises the maintenance of personnel and equipment records;

            Requisitions departmental supplies and equipment.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of materials used in building construction and stages of construction when possible defects and violations may be most easily observed and corrected; thorough knowledge of the codes and regulations governing building con­struction in the township; thorough knowledge of the zoning and fire ordinances existing in the township; good knowledge of modern office practices and procedures; ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications and to recognize deviations from such plans in the construction process; ability to recognize faulty construction or hazardous conditions created by deterioration; ability to enforce code regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially; ability to plan, assign, and review the work of a number of technical and office personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to keep records and to prepare and submit reports; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

            OPEN COMPETITIVE

            Either:

            (a) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Technology or a related field and two (2) years of supervisory experience in building construction, or inspectional or investigative work enforcing codes and ordinances relating to the safety of building structures and occupancy; or, 

            (b) Graduation from a standard senior high school, vocational school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and six (6) years of experience in building construction, or inspectional or investigative work enforcing codes and ordinances relating to the safety of building structures and occupancy, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

 

NOTE:  Experience will be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

 

            PROMOTIONAL

            Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as a Senior Building Inspector.

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

            Candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license at the time of appointment and throughout the period of employment.

 

            All employees hired after January 1, 1985 must successfully complete the required basic training program entitled Minimum Standards for Code Enforcement Personnel, established by the State of New York Fire Fighting and Code Enforce­ment Personnel Standards and Education Commission.  The program must be complet­ed in the appropriate time period as specified in the regulations, and upon completion, the required in-service training programs must be attended as  scheduled.

 

R 3/25/10

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive