Combination Inspector

Fairfax County Building Inspector

Fairfax County boasts a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, thousands of acres of parkland, and bustling town centers. County government sits at the heart of this dynamic community of almost 1.2 million residents and seeks employees eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and skills to serve Fairfax residents and to shape the county's future. Land Development Services (LDS) is the steward of the county's land development and building construction codes and regulations, and its staff members embrace their essential role as "first preventers." Every day, through careful review, permitting and inspection of site and building construction, our staff protect the health, safety, welfare, and environment for those who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County. Our department also serves as the gateway to much of the county's economic development, reviewing over 30,000 building and site plan submissions, issuing nearly 70,000 building permits, and conducting over 220,000 building and site inspections each year. If you would like to join a creative, collaborative, innovative team doing meaningful work, then LDS is the place for you.

Under the supervision of a Supervising Combination Inspector, Building Inspections Branch, Building Division, conducts inspections of new and alterations to residential or commercial construction for building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems for conformance to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Identifies conflicts and code violations in the field and informs customers on paths towards resolution. Performs emergency damage assessments. Coordinates final inspections with other agencies to ensure applicable USBC requirements are met. Monitors and coordinates assigned projects to ensure the timely resolution of construction and field-related issues. Position requires incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to drive to / from construction sites, offsite meetings, training and / or conferences. Complies with LDSs safety program and guidelines. Complies with county, agency, and job specific training, including but limited to Emergency Management and Safety related courses. Provides exceptional customer support for services performed by the Department of Land Development Services and ensures compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standards related to various activities within the agency's scope. A key responsibility is delivering timely and effective customer service through in-person, phone, and virtual channels, with staff offering expertise to address real-time inquiries. Additionally, this position proactively collaborates with colleagues both within and outside the business unit to ensure efficient service delivery and timely resolution of customer needs.

Inspection : Conducts residential mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building construction inspections relative to applicable codes, or conducts commercial mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections relative to applicable codes to ensure that construction conforms to the approved plans and permits; Inspects contractor's field operations for compliance with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act (VOSHA), notifies them of any safety hazards, reports offending parties, and notes violations and corrective action needed or taken; Inspects water supply connections in commercial or residential buildings for unprotected cross connections to ensure the proper backflow prevention devices are installed to prevent contamination of the domestic water supply; Performs emergency inspections, as required and investigates damaged structures to determine extent of damage, if structure is safe to occupy and what plans / permits are required for reconstruction and performs FEMA damage assessments.

Enforcement : Prepares documentation related to the outcome of inspections and records inspection results in County database; Participates in the development / implementation of the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS); Prepares and issues Notice of Violations, Stop Work Orders, Corrective Work Orders, Unsafe structures reports, memoranda and other correspondence and initiates corrective procedures to obtain voluntary compliance; Testifies in civil and criminal court proceedings and in appeals hearings; Responds to complaints regarding new construction, unpermitted construction and existing structures; Investigates, researches and analyzes the code complaint to determine its merits, reports the findings, and requires corrective action when necessary; Coordinates all enforcement efforts with other County agencies and branches, as appropriate; Placards unsafe structures which are dangerous to life, health, and safety of occupants and the general public; Serves as a technical assistant to the Building Official.

Plan Review : Examines and interprets plans for the proper installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building equipment, and approves minor changes to plans in the field or requires plans to be revised and resubmitted for approval as appropriate; Examines and interprets plans for compliance with the American Disabilities Act ADA);

Communication / Public Interface : Meets with homeowners, developers, engineers, contractors and interested citizens to provide information and answer questions about County development regulations applicable to commercial or residential construction; Appears at civic association meetings to present material on permit, plan and inspection requirements to help educate citizens on the Code and emphasize life safety matters; Researches and investigates the applicability of new products and applications to be used in field situations and communicates results to colleagues.

Considerable knowledge of the theories and practices of the National and State mechanical, electrical, plumbing, gas and building codes, local ordinances, and regulations; Considerable knowledge of the equipment, materials and methods used in the repair and / or construction of residential or commercial buildings; Knowledge of the American National Standard for Handicap Accessibility, ADA; Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, plumbing, gas and building plans, specifications, blueprints, drawings, regulations, legal documents, and maps; Ability to interpret a variety of codes and keep abreast of code modifications, code updates, new technology, materials and installations; Ability to use personal computers / lap top software and access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; Ability to maintain effective, courteous relationships with builders, contractors, the public and fellow employees, and communicate effectively with a diverse community; Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and to properly articulate the necessary action to clear a violation; Ability to serve as an expert witness; Ability to analyze and resolve field problems; Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions; Ability to work with and train new personnel.

High school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate issued by a state department of education; plus, four years of experience in residential and / or commercial construction through hands-on involvement in construction projects or inspections, including but not limited to, installation, maintenance, and repair of building structures or systems (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and / or gas). Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license. For positions assigned as Commercial Inspectors, certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD), the following certifications are required within 18 months of appointment : VDHCD Commercial Building Inspector, VDHCD Commercial Electrical Inspector, VDHCD Commercial Mechanical Inspector, VDHCD Commercial Plumbing Inspector. For positions assigned as Residential Inspectors, certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD), the following certifications are required within 18 months of appointment : VDHCD Residential Building Inspector, VDHCD Residential Electrical Inspector, VDHCD Residential Mechanical Inspector, VDHCD Residential Plumbing Inspector. The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a driving records check, and pre-employment medical evaluation to the satisfaction of the employer. This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster). Inspection experience with a concentration in either residential building, mechanical, plumbing, and / or electrical systems in new and existing residential buildings or inspection experience with a concentration in commercial building, mechanical, plumbing, and / or electrical systems in new and existing commercial structures. Knowledge of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, including the model code reference documents. Experience reading and interpreting residential and commercial building plans. Ability to enter data into a personal or laptop computer. Experience organizing and conducting training classes. Effective oral and written communication skills. Customer service skills or public contact experience. Currently certified by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) in any of the following areas. VDHCD Commercial Building Inspector VDHCD Commercial Electrical Inspector VDHCD Commercial Mechanical Inspector VDHCD Commercial Plumbing Inspector VDHCD Residential Building Inspector VDHCD Residential Electrical Inspector VDHCD Residential Mechanical Inspector VDHCD Residential Plumbing Inspector Ability to climb multiple levels of stairs. Ability to climb step ladders and ladders up to 40 feet with required safety equipment. Ability to crawl, crouch, stoop and work in uncomfortable conditions. Ability to distinguish colors of wiring. Ability to go up and down steep inclines. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to reach with arms extended above the head. Ability to walk and adequately maneuver in an outside / inside environment. Ability to walk / traverse through and over various terrain. Ability to work in adverse weather. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations. A panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons