Housing Inspector

Job Description

Housing Inspector (500)

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to:

Completion of sixty (60) semester units of coursework from an accredited college or university; and
Three (3) years of experience in housing code enforcement, building construction inspection, public health and sanitation inspection, and/or as a licensed General Contractor in residential construction

Desirable Qualifications

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Sanitarian issued by the California State Department of Public Health, certification by the International Conference of Building Officials as a Building Inspector, and/or a Contractor’s license issued by the California Contractors State License Board

License

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Housing Inspector is a journey level technical classification in the classified service assigned to either the Building Inspection Division or the Housing and Community Services Division of the Planning and Inspection Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing specialized work in the inspection, investigation, and promotion of environmental sanitation in housing, the enforcement of local and state housing and dangerous building codes, and/or field activities related to the City’s housing rehabilitation program.

Typical Duties

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.

Performs inspections of housing facilities to ensure that occupancy, use, maintenance, and/or repairs comply with code requirements including housing and dangerous building codes and related health and safety laws
Performs inspections of buildings that may be structurally unsafe or a fire hazard
Develops equitable solutions to difficult problems of rehabilitation and reconstruction
Advises City residents and property owners on housing requirements and restrictions and provides general information regarding housing maintenance and repair
Prepares work descriptions for housing repair bids, monitors performance of work by building contractors, issues progress payments, and tracks status of housing rehabilitation projects
Performs routine inspections in multiple housing units such as motels, apartment buildings, boarding houses, trailer courts, and rest homes
Coordinates inspection activities with other City departments and other governmental agencies
Addresses various health and safety complaints pertaining to occupancy and use of property, including nuisances and animal disturbances, and institutes prosecution of violators for noncompliance with relevant ordinances, codes, and laws
Prepares and maintains forms, records, reports, and correspondence pertaining to inspection activities
Performs other related duties, as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Principles, techniques and practices applied to inspection and investigation of buildings occupied as living quarters
Laws, codes, and ordinances pertaining to housing and public health, including the Health and Safety Code, the State Housing Code, uniform building codes, the State historic building code, public health laws, and provisions of the penal code related to public nuisances
Principles of environmental and sanitary science

Ability to:

Tactfully gain the cooperation and compliance of individuals and organizations in maintaining standards and legal requirements pertaining to housing
Read and interpret building plans and specifications and explain them to residents
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including government officials, contractors, and the general public
Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
Perform arithmetic computations with accuracy
Prepare and maintain accurate written documents such as reports, records, forms, and correspondence
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Evaluate situations, identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines
Work with limited direction and complete work accurately and efficiently within prescribed time limits
Walk or stand for extended periods of time and bend, stoop, crawl, climb, and lift as necessary to perform inspections

Supervision Received

Receives direction from the Building Official, Housing and Community Services Manager, or other supervisor, as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

May supervise the work of clerical and paraprofessional staff, as assigned.

Other Requirements

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job assignment.

Conflict of Interest

Required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager’s Directive 100.

Approved, July 2004