CLASS SPECIFICATION
PERMITTING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTOR III
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is advanced investigation/inspection work in one or more of the following
specialties within the Department of Permitting Services (DPS), the Department
of Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), or any other of several departments where
similar work as described is conducted: new residential/commercial construction;
renovation of existing structures; fire protection and life safety code evaluation
and enforcement; right-of-way construction; zoning/land use; storm water management/sediment
control; and systems structures. Incumbents in this class, either individually
or as team members, perform and document on-site field inspections/investigations
and assessments, develop and/or review inspections and assessments; conduct
client consultations; prepare reports; witness system tests; ensure compliance
with governing specifications; provide advice and direction to contractor professionals
to resolve post-installation problems and achieve compliance with applicable
codes, laws and policies; perform off-site research to determine applicable
code sections, specifications and requirements; meet with clients to discuss
requests for exceptions from code requirements; resolve discrepancies between
approved plans and field conditions; resolve interpretive problems; and facilitate
casework. Work includes accomplishing the most complex assignments. Employees
may grant exceptions based upon their expertise. Contacts are with the public,
developers, business and home owners, building construction project managers,
business employees, property managers, architects, engineers, job foremen, contractors,
attorneys, other professionals, managers, and organization representatives.
The purposes of these contacts are to obtain and exchange information; coordinate
case-management and operational matters; obtain and provide approvals necessary
to provide services or complete work; assist clients to meet the intent of applicable
codes, regulations or policy; inform and educate clients on present or perceived
dangers and code violations. Public service and assistance typically takes the
form of on-demand, in-person, telephone, and/or field consultations with property
owners, permittees, prospective permittees, and other clients. Such assistance
may require questioning clients to determine the exact nature of assistance
required.
Employees in this class plan and carry out assignments based on instructions,
policies, previous training, and accepted legal, engineering/scientific policies,
principles and practices. Work is reviewed for technical soundness, appropriateness
and policy conformance. Guidelines which include a multiplicity of standards,
procedures, policies, and manuals are normally available but do not cover all
situations encountered in the work. An employee may adapt or deviate from existing
guides when necessary, and may recommend modifications to existing guides. Some
employees must exercise judgment to determine code applicability and compliance,
e.g., when inspecting performance-based design elements. The complexity of the
work of this class derives from the need to analyze issues that arise in each
assignment and when necessary select an alternative which will resolve the issues/problems
encountered in the context of a very high expectation of personalized customer
service. The work requires the application of a considerable depth of code knowledge
and skill to resolve problems/issues which very often do not fit standard protocols,
standards, or expectations. In many cases, considerable research of applicable
codes, standards and manufacturer design criteria is required. Fluctuating workloads,
shifting priorities, and emotionally charged client interactions compound the
complexity. The scope of the work encompasses aspects of land-use issues, engineering/development
projects, fire protection/life safety code evaluation and enforcement and/or
other areas of similar complexity through planning, implementation, and occupancy.
The work affects the proper use of land and the proper and safe construction
and use of facilities County-wide. The majority of the work is performed in
a field setting with exposure to the physical demands and hazards associated
with construction and other outdoor sites, heavy equipment, toxic substances,
slip, trip and fall hazards; electrical shock hazards; exposure to inhalation
hazards; extremely loud noises and soft-tissue injuries, vehicle operation,
and aggressive client behavior. Most positions in this class require the wearing
of safety apparel; e.g., hard hats, safety footwear, respiratory protection,
hearing protection, and the exercise of some safety precautions. Performance
of the work involves walking over rough, uneven, and occasionally slippery surfaces;
climbing flights of stairs and ladders; and occasionally lifting objects weighing
from twenty to fifty pounds.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Permitting Services:
Performs and documents complex inspections/complaint investigations related
to land development, zoning land use, development standards, storm water management,
residential, commercial and right-of-way construction projects performed to
determine compliance with plans, permit requirements, engineering standards,
and all applicable county, state, and federal laws, codes, ordinances, regulations,
and guidelines.
Works as a team member with other employees to facilitate client service.
Designs/approves alternative construction systems or methods and materials to
address situations where specified or conventional approaches do not apply,
and recommends changes to existing inspection protocols.
Resolves difficult code/law-enforcement/interpretation problems with developers,
contractors, engineers, architects, and homeowners through meetings and discussions
conducted in the office or field. Determines when alternative construction or
installation methods and materials represent equivalency for compliance with
codes.
Conducts testing; investigates complaints; and prepares complex reports and
correspondence. Reviews construction and land-development plans for technical
completeness and design adequacy as necessary to perform on-site inspections/investigations.
Issues orders and summonses; gathers evidence, prepares complex enforcement/complaint
cases for court/appellate consideration, and testifies in court as issuing officer
and expert witness.
Works with engineers, other professionals, and permit technicians to assure
that individual permitting cases are processed cordially and expeditiously.
Serves on teams created to work on permitting projects of high public interest/technical
complexity.
May provide 24-hour on-call inspection assistance to other officials to assess
damage and authorize safe re-entry to structures damaged by fire/natural disasters.
Performs related duties as required.
Fire and Rescue Services:
Conducts on-site inspections and systems tests of fire protection and life safety
systems in existing buildings or those under construction or renovation, ensuring
compliance with appropriate codes, and where problems are found, works with
on-site general contractor or project manager to schedule and implement corrective
actions.
Completes and maintains detailed electronic and hard copy records of all inspections
and supporting documents related to any aspect of fire and life safety systems;
product design and installation specifications; and correspondence.
Performs plan reviews to determine complexity and scope of assigned inspection
projects; fire and life safety system interaction not determined at time of
individual systems plan review; identifies compliance issues prior to or post-construction
or installation; identifies existing as-built conditions and compliance issues,
and determines time and resources required to provide service.
Keeps abreast of new techniques, methods, products, and developments in the
fire protection field; maintains a thorough working knowledge of the variety
of hazardous operations indigenous to the occupancies and industries within
the county to ensure application of proper fire and life safety code requirements.
May provide 24-hour on-call inspection assistance to other officials to assess
damage and authorize safe re-entry to structures damaged by fire/natural disasters.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience and Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree
in an appropriate engineering, technical, or professional field and three (3)
years of experience in a technical/professional field appropriate to the assigned
position of which one year must have been in a code compliance/enforcement capacity;
or
Possession of a high school diploma or High School Certificate of Completion
recognized in the State of Maryland and seven (7) years of experience in a technical/professional
field appropriate to the assigned position of which one year must have been
in a code compliance/enforcement capacity.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as pertains to the respective specialization):
Considerable knowledge of the applicable codes, ordinances and regulations pertinent
to the area of specialization.
Knowledge of improper trade practices which result in faulty, substandard or
hazardous conditions.
Knowledge of, and a commitment to, customer-service and client-focused service-delivery
systems.
Knowledge of computer applications relevant to inspections, assessments, and
the general office environment, including word processing, spreadsheets, and
data management.
Knowledge of the fundamental organization of the respective organization and
the methods and manner in which operations are performed.
Knowledge of inspection and enforcement methods and techniques.
Knowledge of fire and products of combustion behavior, safety, suppression and
evacuation systems, and fire control practices.
Knowledge of structural materials and elements, and building environmental behavior
when subjected to fire conditions and products of combustion.
Knowledge of building construction materials, methods, practices, and the systems
used in application of fire and life safety codes.
Skill in obtaining compliance with applicable permitting, engineering, and code
requirements.
Skill in interacting with persons who speak English as a second language or
may have limited English proficiency.
Skill in negotiating agreements with engineers, developers, contractors, and
government professionals to ensure compliance with applicable code requirements.
Ability to express oneself clearly, concisely ad effectively, orally and in
writing.
Ability to communicate technical guidance and establish and maintain effective
working relationships with other professional staff and representatives from
the building industries.
Ability to work as a team leader, team member, attend meetings, communicate
effectively, and maintain effective working relationships with staff, permittees,
and other representatives.
Ability to comprehend, incorporate and apply new concepts and technology into
an existing body of knowledge, practices and procedures.
Ability to acquire knowledge of the legal mandates and constraints that define
the fire and life safety inspection practices and procedures of the Montgomery
County Fire and Rescue Service.
Ability to read, understand and interpret construction plans and determine whether
fire and/or life safety systems have been installed in compliance with the approved
plans.
Ability to conduct field inspections independently or as a member of a team
in conditions of moderate to severe physical risk.
Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and blueprints quickly and
accurately and to determine whether construction is proceeding according to
the approved plans.
Ability to work effectively as a team participant.
Ability to communicate technical guidance and establish and maintain effective
working relationships among staff, permittees, community representatives, and
representatives from other jurisdictions.
Ability to acquire knowledge of the legal mandates which define/limit the public-service
mission of the respective organization.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside
the office, and the ability to independently conduct field investigations/inspections
in conditions of moderate to severe physical risk.
An employee in this class who conducts inspections for electrical code compliance
must have adequate color vision to ensure code compliance and feasibility of
electrical work.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license when required for job-related
duties.
CERTIFICATIONS:
The Department of Permitting Services
The Department of Permitting Services maintains a listing of current Department-required
certifications required for employees classified at this level. Incumbents who
inspect HVAC work may be required to be licensed by the Maryland State Board
of HVACR Contractors as an authorized Inspector.
The Department of Fire and Rescue Services
The employee will obtain Maryland State Professional Qualifications Board certification
as an Inspector II within one year of appointment.
The Department of Fire and Rescue Services maintains a list of current Department-required
certifications required of employees classified at this level.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a
probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully
evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion
of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core Exam*
*Core I exam if confined space training and the use of a self-contained breathing
apparatus is required. *Core II exam if assigned to sediment control.
Class Established: March 2001
Revised: November 2009
July 2010