Description

Code Inspector I or II ( Plumbing / Mechanical)

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia, and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for a position as a Mechanical/Plumbing Code Inspector position.

Our work is driven by our 4 Guiding Principles:

•   Aligning the work we do with our strategic plan
•   Executing against our strategy and ensuring accountability for our results
•   Promoting and encouraging a culture of leadership and ownership at all levels of the organization
•   Promoting a culture of service excellence, creativity and entrepreneurship

An Overview

The Mechanical/Plumbing Code Inspector will perform commercial inspections for mechanical and plumbing trades and  combination residential inspections on new and existing construction and renovation projects in residential units for compliance with Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC); may provide guidance and direction to Code Inspectors I and II; and assist in the development of technical training concerning applicable codes, ordinances, policies, and regulatory requirements. The incumbent will also act as a customer advocate and ensure we provide the highest level of service to all of our customers. This work is performed under the general supervision of the New Construction Manager.   
 
What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have knowledge of USBC and reference standards and codes and City of Alexandria ordinances which apply to building construction or the ability to readily acquire such knowledge; knowledge of computer applications and software associated with the code inspections; knowledge of common methods and equipment used in building construction and inspection methods used to review such work; ability to interpret plans in terms of architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and plumbing disciplines; ability to work in a team environment and foster a positive work atmosphere; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with design and construction professionals, the public and city staff; ability to prepare technical reports and to present findings in a clear and concise format; ability to collect and compile research data; ability to relate complex plans to construction in progress; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in verbal and written form.
  
The Opportunity

Performs all of the duties of a Code Inspector III as applicable;
May provide guidance and direction to Code Inspectors I and II;
Assists staff by researching specific code provisions, ordinances, and related city policies;
Assists in the development of technical training concerning applicable codes, ordinances, policies, and regulatory requirements;
Reviews construction documents with contractors, homeowners, architects, and engineers regarding the requirements of the USBC, related construction and maintenance practices, and industrial standards;
Conducts research, as needed, and evaluates equipment, materials and construction assemblies for compliance with USBC compliance and industry standards;
Reviews and approves third party and special inspection quality control reports in compliance with the USBC and the City of Alexandria Special Inspections Program;
Addresses complaints, communicates abatement action, and provides required follow up;
Identifies and documents illegal construction and prepares violation notification and corrective direction;
Operates and maintains a City vehicle and all other issued equipment; and
Attends training to maintain continuous education and certification requirements as required by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Code Administration.

About the Department
The Alexandria Department of Code Administration works in concert with other City agencies and our customers (residents, tenants, business owners, building owners, architects, engineers, builders, contractors, and developers) as part of the safe building team.  Our objective is to assist customers to achieve compliance with the Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building and Maintenance Codes (USBC), and the City Code nuisance and development provisions.  This is accomplished through permit processing, plan review, timely and consistent inspections, and education regarding the requirements of the referenced codes.  The department contains five divisions: the Permit Center, Property Maintenance Inspections, New Construction Inspections, Plan Review Services, and Administrative Services. 
 

Requirements

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Three years of experience in the construction or construction inspection field; or college associate’s degree in engineering, architecture, building construction or related sciences; or hold a current Master Tradesman license from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR); or any equivalent combination of education.  Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Additional Requirements:

• A valid Driver's License is required.
•  Successful completion of the following within 12 months after original appointment:

             Virginia Building Code Academy (VBCA) Core Module

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certification (s) as required for a Code Inspector I and II as referenced within the current "Code Inspector- Systems Career Ladder Matrix":

•         Residential and Commercial Mechanical Inspector
•         Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector
•         Residential Building
•         Residential Electrical
•         Residential Energy Inspector
•         ICC Fuel Gas Inspector
•         ICC Accessibility Inspector

Preferred Qualifications

A certified and practicing residential combination inspector with building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trades, and commercial mechanical/plumbing trades.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.