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Home My WebLink AboutBuilding InspectorUpdated: July 2025 CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Building Inspector Department: Neighborhood & Development Services Division: Development Services Supervisor: Senior Building Inspector FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 12 Job Number: 1212 Job Summary Under general direction, performs ﬁeld inspections of all commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential structures for compliance with related codes and regulations. Prescribes action for conformance to codes and standards. Assists in the planning and implementation of owner- occupied and rental housing rehabilitation programs. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Schedules, conducts and performs ﬁeld inspections related to commercial, industrial, institutional and residential structures for compliance with codes and regulations. • Reviews construction plans for code compliance. • Reviews applications for compliance; issues building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits and collects fees. • Issues and tracks licenses for plumbers, electricians, mechanical, ﬁre alarm and ﬁre sprinkler contractors. • Identiﬁes non-compliance issues associated with speciﬁcations and the inspected buildings and informs appropriate parties of lack of compliance with City standards; works with other inspectors and City staﬀ regarding compliance issues and interpretation. • Meets with building owners, tenants, contractors, developers, architects, general public and homeowners to answer questions concerning code requirements, including pre- design meetings. • Troubleshoots issues with inspection software and assists applicants in navigating the online permitting process. • Meets with Housing Inspectors and Legal, Planning and Engineering departments to answer questions or resolve problems with diﬀerent properties. • May represent the City during legal proceedings dealing with building safety codes i.e., litigation, depositions, municipal court, etc. • Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and community. • Performs other duties as assigned. Updated: July 2025 Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Associate's degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. • International Code Council Residential Building Inspector (B1) certiﬁcation required within 12 months of hire. Additionally, International Code Council Commercial Building Inspector (B2) certiﬁcation or Residential Mechanical Inspector (M1) certiﬁcation, or, Residential Electrical Inspector (E1) certiﬁcation or Commercial Electrical Inspector (E2) certiﬁcation, or Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1) certiﬁcation required within 12 months of hire as established and documented at time of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in construction/building trades. • International Code Council Inspector designation as Building Inspector (B5), Electrical Inspector (E5), Mechanical Inspector (M5), Plumbing Inspector (P5), or Residential Combination Inspector (R5), or Plans Examiner (R3, B3, E3, M3, P3). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. • Ability to calculate ﬁgures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. • Ability to deal with upset customers and to explain code interpretation in a calm and understandable manner to the public. • Ability to detect defective materials and workmanship and work well in a team environment. • Ability to eﬀectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. • Ability to perform mathematical functions in order to review contractor compliance with standards. • Ability to read and interpret plans and speciﬁcations, blueprints, easement documents, design manuals and textbooks, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. • Ability to record concise ﬁeld notes and report progress. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Updated: July 2025 • Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and codes related to building construction. • Knowledge of materials, methods and practices used in building construction. • Skill in the use of a variety of machines, including copiers, scanners and facsimile machines. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce - Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to ﬁnger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Speciﬁc vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, conﬁned space, and traﬃc hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualiﬁed individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Updated: July 2025 Reviewed/Approved by: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director (7/2025) and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________