6G20

PAY RANGE: 16

L & I CONSTRUCTION CODES SPECIALIST TRAINEE

GENERAL DEFINITION

            This is construction code enforcement work at the trainee level for the City’s licensing and inspections agency.  Employees in this class are responsible for learning to perform field inspections in a program designed to effect compliance with construction codes and ordinances.  Work includes working with or accompanying higher level inspectors to review and interpret approved plans, specifications and diagrams and to review all aspects of construction projects for conformance to related codes, ordinances and permits.  Contact with contractors, homeowners, construction managers, architects, engineers, landlords, governmental officials and the general public is significant to the work.  Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior. 

ALLOCATING FACTORS:   (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

· Employees must learn to apply knowledge of the materials and practices used in construction to the inspection of construction projects and their associated plans

· Employees must learn appropriate codes required to perform inspections and must be involved in a continuing education program for building code certification

· Employees must acquire all required certifications within eighteen months in      order to maintain civil service status in this class.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Participates in an inspectional program that includes, but is not limited to:

· Attendance at classes to learn construction code requirements

· Successful completion of certification examinations

· Regular evaluations of progress and review of progress with inspectional managers

· Making field inspections and reporting results to certified inspectors and supervisors.

Assists higher level inspectors in the following activities:

· Reviewing approved plans, specifications and/or permits relating to proposed installation, alteration or demolition work for conformance to codes, ordinances and prints; performing field inspections of properties to ascertain validity of referred complaints; conferring with property owners and tenants to explain the conditions and hazards found; preparing violation notices where appropriate

· Completing inspection reports describing conditions found during field investigations and making recommendations to correct violations; making follow-up to insure corrective action has been taken

· Assisting team leader in performing joint field inspections.

Learns to:

· Apply knowledge of the theory and practice of construction codes

· Perform physical inspections of all construction related activities, including, but not limited to, foundation systems, fire protection systems, mechanical systems, structural framing, energy conservation, and masonry construction to ensure conformance with appropriate codes and plans

· Perform post-construction inspections to determine suitability for occupancy; review installation of fire suppression systems, review means of egress and ensure that all emergency devices and equipment are installed and operating appropriately

· Perform inspections of heating, cooling and ventilation equipment; enforce aspects of energy conservation

· Inspect plumbing abatement and property demolition work; visit job sites to inspect work and ensure that work is being performed in conformance with approved plans and specifications and the appropriate codes and ordinances

· Inspect for compliance of accessibility requirements as they relate to construction projects

· Key pertinent inspection data into electronic database; utilize a mobile computer device for typing and routine data entry; complete computer retrieval tasks to receive inspection schedules via a mobile computer device; prepare reports of findings and actions taken.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· Current developments and trends in building construction and related mechanical system installations

· The methods and materials and principles used in building construction

· Structural elements required for building stability

· The principles of personal computer operations

· Interactive data entry and retrieval procedures

SKILL IN:

· the operation of a mobile computer device for data input; data retrieval and report writing

ABILITY TO:

· Read and interpret construction plans

· Learn the ordinances and regulations governing building construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and site improvement work

· Learn the principles and practices used in testing and inspecting materials used in construction projects

· Learn to recognize deviations from approved blueprints, plans, diagrams and specifications

· Learn to make visual and physical inspections to detect defects in trades work in building, plumbing, and other mechanical installations

· Maintain records and prepare reports

· Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

· Learn the applications of the department’s designated software database

· Operate an interactive computer terminal

· Establish and maintain effective relationships with contractors, landlords, tenants, construction managers, governmental officials, colleagues and the general public

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE  (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.  Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 11/14.)

EDUCATION:

            Completion of a two-year program at a technical school or institute with major course work in Building Construction Technology or a related field. 

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

            Two years of full-time paid experience in one of the following recognized building trades: boilermaker, carpenter (including cabinet maker, framer, joiner and roofer), electrician, glazier, insulation installer, ironworker, skilled construction laborer (skilled in using pneumatic tools, hand tools, blasting, and smaller heavy equipment), mason (brick, block, stone, concrete, marble setter and polisher, tile setter and polisher, terrazzo worker and finisher), pile driver, plasterer, plumber, pipefitter/steamfitter, sheet metal worker, fire sprinkler installer, safety manager/officer, water proofer and welder.

OR

            Any equivalent combination of experience and education that has been determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

NOTE: Additional full-time paid experience, in excess of that required, in one of the recognized building trades can be substituted on a year for year basis for the required two years of training at a technical school or institute.

NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.  In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the ability to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non-English language to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified language skills.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

            Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

            Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code within eighteen months of appointment to the class of L&I Construction Codes Specialist Trainee, in the following categories:

· Building inspector

· Accessibility inspector/plan examiner

· Mechanical inspector

· Energy inspector

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an L & I Construction Codes Specialist Trainee. 

Class Established:

CSC - 3/02

Ad. Board  - 4/02

Spec Revision:

CSC – 5/12

Ad. Board  - 5/12

Latest Spec Revision:

CSC – 9/14

Ad. Board – 11/14

VF