Property Maintenance Inspector chez City of Tuscaloosa, AL

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to perform administrative work and inspections related to property maintenance inspections, condemnations, and 311-service request orders (SROs) within city jurisdictions to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. 

Authorized to act on behalf of the Chief Property Maintenance Inspector in his/her absence.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Inspects all phases of commercial and residential building construction to ensure compliance with city building codes and regulations regarding property maintenance and condemnation; utilizes the city’s customer request management system; determining if violations are present at reported properties; inspects BMPs on construction sites and provides corrections.

Refers to department operating procedures, administrative policies and procedures, regulations, and standards, reference manuals, and other sources in performing assigned duties.

Performs building and structural inspections and other trade inspections when necessary and/or qualified.

Inspects and condemns houses and other structures; approves certificate of occupancy, inspections, forms and permits; declares buildings or systems safe/unsafe.

Attends hearings and meetings as necessary; provides expert witness testimony. Attend Council condemnation hearings and give presentations or updates, along with court hearings for property maintenance cases to present information and witness testimony. 

Receives plans, forms, blueprints, schematics, letters of certification, permits, tickets, logs, memos, or documentation; reviews, completes, processes, files, and/or forwards; maintains records.

Operates a service truck to conduct inspections; inspects assigned vehicle for proper operations and maintains fluid levels; delivers truck to fleet maintenance for repairs and scheduled maintenance.

Consults with supervisors, engineers, inspectors, contractors, architects, developers, and other agency officials to review departmental operations, discuss problems, coordinate activities, provide technical expertise, and receive advice/direction.

Communicates via telephone, email, text message, and/or any other communication devices; provides information; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service.

Interprets regulatory codes and responds to requests for information from employees, officials, contractors, and the public.

Responds to questions and requests for information/assistance by telephone or in person from the general public, employees, officials or other persons regarding ordinances, regulations, and other items as needed.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; researches construction materials and methods; attends training seminars and workshops; maintains continuing education units (CEUs) for required certifications.

Assists in training new employees.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required; three (3) years of experience in commercial and/or residential building construction or related field required; Bachelor’s degree, Associates Degree or Vocational/technical diploma in Building Construction or related field preferred; possession of professional construction trade licenses or cards preferred; or any combination of education, experience, or training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the job.  Must have or be willing to obtain the following ICC Certifications: Residential Building or Electrical Inspector, Building or Electrical Plan Examiner, Commercial Building or Electrical Inspector, and International Property Maintenance Inspector, or Combination Residential Inspector. In lieu of the previously listed certifications, an ICC Certified Building Official Certification is acceptable.  Must obtain two certifications the first year and one certification per year after until requirement is met. Must possess and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license. Must attend continuing education classes to maintain certification requirements.

Other Qualifications

The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to operate a service truck and a variety of building inspection tools and automated office equipment including a computer, calculator, copiers, telephone, two-way radio, tape measure, meters, hand tools, etc.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light work.

DATA COMPREHENSION:  Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include forms, reports, codebooks, operational manuals, and procedural manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange construction, building code, architectural, and engineering information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:  Requires ability to read a variety of construction, building code, architectural, and engineering documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.  Requires the ability to write basic job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.   Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE:  Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex construction, building code, architectural, and engineering principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals/percentages, utilize basic algebraic and geometric formulas, and determine time.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include standard measuring devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION:  Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using building inspection tools and automated office equipment and to operate a motor vehicle.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:  Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, building inspection tools and automated office equipment, control knobs, meters, switches, etc.  Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION:  Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT:  Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be able to adapt to and perform under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.