Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides professional and technical assistance to property owners in the City of Turlock related to construction and rehabilitation of property and performs related work as required. Assists and trains in: inspecting buildings and structures in all stages of construction, alteration and repair; reading building plans and specifications; enforcing building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes and laws.

This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association (TCEA) bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a trainee level position in the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector series. The trainee classification performs more routine and standardized tasks. The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector Trainee is considered to be in a training status for a minimum of one year. Promotion to the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector I position will be based on the incumbent’s demonstration of their ability to assume the full range of duties for the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector I.

Incumbents in this classification report to and are supervised by the Housing Program Manager. The trainee classification may receive training from the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist / Inspector I or II or Building Inspector I, II or Building Inspector, Sr.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: – Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Makes field inspections of dwellings of potential participants in the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
• Prepares specifications for work to be performed.
• Drafts footprint of residential floor plans.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates of proposed work and presents the estimates to property owners.
• Assists property owners in preparing bids and soliciting bidders.
• Gives technical assistance to homeowners on all phases of construction.
• Works with property owners and contractors to develop suitable agreements.
• Inspects dwelling units during rehabilitation to determine compliance with applicable housing and building codes and policies of the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
• Housing Quality Standards inspections for Turlock and member jurisdictions First Time Homebuyer programs.
• Assists in marketing and promoting the rehabilitation program to potential clients.
• Make field inspections of residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of the City, County, State and Federal agencies.
• May assist in the checking of building plans.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office.
• Update and maintain records, files, field note as applicable and prepare reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• State and County laws, codes and ordinances relating to building construction and zoning.
• Types of building materials and variation in their quality.
• Methods of building construction and rehabilitation.
• Principles and techniques of building inspection.
• Principles and techniques of structural rehabilitation.
• Principles and techniques of real estate appraisal.
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
• Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, specifically, the California Building Code.

Ability to:

• Interpret provisions of applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations enforceable by the City.
• Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
• Use sound inspection methods to examine workmanship and materials and to detect deviations from plans, specifications, and standard installation practices.
• Prepare work specifications for rehabilitation.
• Accurately estimate the cost of material and labor for potential rehabilitation work.
• Relate to individuals of various social-economic levels.
• Read and interpret diagrams, plans, and specifications.
• Make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately.
• Learn to perform building inspections in a variety of specialty trade areas.
• Learn to enforce a variety of State and City codes and regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two (2) years of responsible construction experience equivalent to journey level construction work in the building trades involving work done in conformance with standard building, electrical, mechanical systems and plumbing codes;

OR

Equivalent to three (3) years of experience in residential / housing construction or related occupational field dealing with the residential / housing construction industry.

Education:

Education requirement is high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a valid California Driver's License at the time of appointment and must be maintained thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to read, write, make observations, view computer screen, read gauges and other instrumentation as well as operate a motor vehicle; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person; use hands and fingers well enough to use computer keyboard, write, file and answer telephones; bodily mobility to walk on uneven surfaces or sloped surfaces such as construction sites and roofs, bend, stand, climb on scaffolding and ladders, and be able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperatures while performing inspections or other duties.