CLASS SPECIFICATION
PERMITTING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTOR I
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is entry level 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 perform on-site inspections
and assessments, plan reviews, client consultations, and report preparation
on technical issues. 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 other organization representatives. The purposes
of these contacts are to exchange information; coordinate case management and
operational matters; and obtain information/approvals necessary to provide services.
Pubic 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. Assistance often requires questioning clients
to determine the exact nature of assistance required.
Employees in this class perform and document assignments and field assessments,
either before or after construction. Employees also review engineering and scientific
documents related to these assessments; meet with clients to discuss requests
for exceptions from code requirements; resolve discrepancies between approved
plans and field conditions; work with clients to resolve interpretive problems;
and facilitate case work. Under the direction of a higher-level inspector or
the supervisor, employees in this class plan and carry out assignments based
on instructions, policies and accepted legal and engineering/scientific principles
and practices. Work is reviewed for technical soundness, appropriateness, and
policy conformance. The employee uses judgment in selecting and applying guidelines,
which include a multiplicity of standards, procedures, policies, and manuals.
Deviations or situations to which existing guidelines cannot be applied are
typically referred to the supervisor or higher-level inspector. The complexity
of the work of this class derives from the need to apply knowledge of a variety
of codes, methods, practices and materials to work projects in an environment
of very high expectation of personalized consumer service. The scope of the
work encompasses aspects of land-use issues, engineering/development projects,
and/or fire protection/life safety code evaluation and enforcement projects
through planning, implementation, and occupancy. The work affects the proper
and safe construction and use of structures and 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 inspections/complaint investigations related to land
development, zoning land use, development standards, storm water management,
residential, commercial and right-of-way construction projects for 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.
Suggests alternative but conventionally acceptable construction or installation
methods and materials which comply with codes.
Participates in formal and on-the-job training to enhance technical knowledge,
skills and abilities.
Conducts testing; investigates complaints; and prepares reports and correspondence.
Reviews construction and land-development plans for technical completeness and
design adequacy.
Issues orders and summonses; gathers evidence, prepares cases for court/appellate
consideration, and testifies in court as a witness.
Works with engineers, other professionals, and permit technicians to assure
that individual permitting cases are processed cordially and expeditiously.
May serve on teams created to work on permitting projects of high public interest/technical
complexity.
Performs related duties as required.
Fire and Rescue Services:
Conducts standard 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 the supervisor or higher-graded inspector to schedule and implement corrective
actions.
Completes and maintains detailed electronic and hard copy records of inspections
and supporting documents related to any aspect of fire and life safety systems;
product design and installation specifications; and correspondence.
Participates in plan reviews to determine complexity and scope of assigned inspection
projects; fire and life safety system interaction; identifies compliance issues
prior to or post-construction or installation; identifies existing as-built
conditions and compliance issues, and participates in determining time and resources
required to provide service.
Keeps abreast of new techniques, methods, products, and developments in the
fire protection field.
Participates in formal and on-the-job training to enhance technical knowledge,
skills and abilities in all areas of fire and life safety code requirements.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Three (3) years of experience in a technical/professional field
appropriate to the assigned position.
Education: Completion of high school or possession of a High School Certification
of Completion recognized by the State of Maryland. A Bachelor's degree in an
appropriate field is preferred for all positions. For applicants possessing
a degree in an appropriate area, the experience requirement may be reduced to
one year instead of three.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (as pertains to the respective specialization):
Knowledge of the construction materials, methods, practices and systems used
in the applicable field.
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, when appropriate.
Knowledge of, or the ability to acquire, computer applications skills relevant
to inspections/permits.
Skill in obtaining compliance with applicable permitting, engineering, and code
requirements, as appropriate.
Ability to work effectively as a team participant.
Ability to communicate technical guidance and establish and maintain effective
working relationships among staff, clients, community representatives, and representatives
from other jurisdictions.
Ability to conduct field investigations/inspections in conditions of moderate
to severe physical risk and the ability to attend meetings outside the office
when necessary.
Ability to acquire knowledge of the mandates which define/limit the public-service
mission of the division and department.
An employee in this class who conducts inspections for electrical code compliance
must have adequate color vision to ensure code compliance.
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
Certification for Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Fire Inspector I or Equivalent.
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
May 2013