Building Inspector I / II

Building Inspector I / II

Come join our team! The City of Novato is recruiting for Building Inspector I / II. Position offered will be based on experience and training. This recruitment remains open and ongoing until filled. First review application deadline : 11 : 59 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

To perform a variety of building inspection duties at various stages of construction, alteration and repair; and to assist in the review of building plans and specifications.

One of the Bay Area's premier communities, Novato is located in Marin County 29 miles north of San Francisco. The second largest city in the County, Novato has a current population of about 56,000 and covers 28 square miles.

Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational, recreational, retail, and business opportunities. The residents are actively involved in important local decisions about quality of life issues and the future direction of their city as the City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are vigorously debated and discussed. The community fosters a small town atmosphere due to its low population density, high amount of open space and parks, vibrant downtown, and engaged community members.

Building Inspector I This is the entry level in the Building Inspector series. Positions assigned to this class perform the more routine and standardized tasks. The class of Building Inspector I is considered to be in a training status and assignments are performed within the procedural framework established by higher level employees. However, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing responsibility and is expected to be performing at the II or journey level within the prescribed time frame.

Building Inspector II This is the journey level class in the Building Inspector series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Building Inspector I, or when filled from the outside, require prior building inspection work experience. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class requiring a complete knowledge of department policies and procedures and meet the qualification standards for the class. A Building Inspector II is expected to perform the entire range of moderately difficult inspections of a variety of residences, commercial and industrial buildings.

Building Inspector I receives immediate supervision from the Chief Building Official and / or the Senior Building Inspector. Building Inspector II receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official and / or the Senior Building Inspector. May exercise functional and technical supervision over less experienced staff.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Perform field inspections of industrial, commercial, and 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.
• Perform complex inspection duties in trade specialties such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical, structural and finish trade areas; inspect a large variety of other complex and routine building system elements.
• Review structures for conformance and structural plans.
• Issue building permits for work to be performed.
• Participate in the checking of building plans; renew commercial tenant improvement plans and residential plans.
• Assure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments and divisions.
• Assist under supervision, in the conduct of zoning and general land use, and code enforcement inspection work as assigned.
• Ascertain conformance to California Building Code, Plumbing and Electrical Codes, and pertinent provisions of State and County health and environmental ordinances and State mandate regulations; initiate appropriate action.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret building code requirements and restrictions.
• Maintain detailed records and prepare reports.

Knowledge of accepted safety standards and methods of building construction. Building codes and ordinances including the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and State mandated regulations. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment.

Ability to learn to perform journey-level inspection skills in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent, and efficient work as a combination Building Inspector. Learn to enforce a variety of zoning, general land use and related City codes. Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices. Read and interpret building plans, specifications, and building codes. Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact, using appropriate flexibility relevant to the specific situation. Advise on standard construction methods and requirements. Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately. Understand and carry out oral and written directions. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communications with others.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be experience : some building inspection experience is desirable. Training : equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. License or Certificate : possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, a building inspector certification.

Principles and techniques of building inspection. Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.

Ability to determine construction system compliance to City Code requirements. Apply City codes and policies regarding environmental matters and other regulations to field situations. Work independently with minimal supervision.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be experience : two years of responsible combination building inspection experience equivalent to that of a Building Inspector I in the City of Novato. Training : equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. License or Certificate : possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, a building inspector certification.

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment : Able to use standard office equipment, including a computer; sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, and maintain sustained posture in a seated or standing position for prolonged periods of time; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone, and to make public presentations; lift and carry up to 5lbs of files, and materials. Mobility to work in a typical office and / or field setting. Travel to different sites and locations; drive safely to different sites and locations; maintain a safe driving record; work protracted and irregular hours and evening meetings or off shift work for meeting attendance or participation in specific projects or programs; available for evening meetings.

It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.

Only online applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated. First review application deadline : 11 : 59PM on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application. The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer.