Personnel Department
ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work involves inspection of buildings, both erected and under construction and repair, for compliance with approved plans and specifications, as well as Putnam County local laws, codes, regulations, zoning ordinances and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.. Additionally, incumbent assists with review and approval of all plans and specifications submitted with applications for local building permits. Work is performed under general direction of a supervising Building Inspector or Director of Code Enforcement. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this position. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)
- Assists with reviews of plans and specifications submitted with the building permit applications for compliance with New York State building code, applicable Putnam County local laws, codes, rules and regulations, local zoning ordinance and applicable laws prior to permits being issued;
- Inspects buildings and structures in the process of construction or repair for compliance with approved plans and specifications and all requirements of applicable ordinances and laws;
- Inspects existing buildings and structures to ensure conformance with safety standards;
- Assists with issuing of building permits and prescribed certificates of occupancy in response to applications, under authority of the Building Inspector;
- Explains the requirements of the local building code, the local zoning ordinance and the New York State Multiple Dwelling law and other applicable laws to building contractors and to the general public;
- Provides for removal of illegal or unsafe conditions and secures the necessary safeguards during construction;
- Orders unsafe conditions in existing structures to be removed and arranges for condemnation notices to owners and builders of improper or hazardous structures;
- Investigates complaints and may assist in prosecuting violations of the building code and zoning ordinances;
- Maintains records of acts and decisions;
- Assists with the preparation of periodic reports relative to all actions and decisions, including but not limited to alterations of buildings and structures, permits issued, fees collected, cost estimates, etc., for presentation to the local governing body;
- May present, make reports, and/or provide information to the local governing body;
- Performs a variety of related activities as required.
Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of practices, principles, materials and tools used in building construction, repair or renovation, including plumbing/heating installations; working knowledge of state and local building codes and local zoning ordinances, and applicable water and sewer facility specifications; familiarity with the New York State multiple residence law; knowledge of fundamentals of the principles of engineering and architecture; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with public officials, building contractors and the general public; ability to read and interpret plans and specifications; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to be firm but courteous; honesty and integrity; thoroughness; tact; good judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either
- Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, architecture, construction management or related field; or
- Bachelor's degree or higher and one (1) year of experience involving residential, commercial, or industrial structural design, including planning, construction, and/or supervision of construction of buildings, roads, sewer and/or water facilities, or electrical, plumbing, or related infrastructure systems; or
- Associate's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or related field, or completion of two (2) years of full‑time technical or trade school in building construction, and one (1) years of experience involving residential, commercial, or industrial structural design, including planning, construction, and/or supervision of construction of buildings, roads, sewer and/or water facilities, or electrical, plumbing, or related infrastructure systems; or
- Possession of a plumber’s or electrician’s license and two (2) years of experience involving residential, commercial, or industrial structural design, including planning, construction, and/or supervision of construction of buildings, roads, sewer and/or water facilities, or electrical, plumbing, or related infrastructure systems; or
- Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and three (3) years of experience involving residential, commercial, or industrial structural design, including planning, construction, and/or supervision of construction of buildings, roads, sewer and/or water facilities, or electrical, plumbing, or related infrastructure systems
PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Building safety inspectors and code enforcement officials designated by local governments, counties or State agencies for administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code, Energy Code, or portions thereof, shall be certified pursuant to 1208-3.1 or 1208-5.4 of 19 CRR-NY 1208. A local government, county or State agency responsible for administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code shall provide the opportunity for training and certification for the designated building inspector and/or code enforcement official pursuant to this Part. The certified basic training program, including all required subject areas as set forth in 1208-2.1 must be completed within the shorter of either 18 months after the date on which they attended the first training course or eighteen months after the date of their initial appointment as a building inspector or code enforcement official.
- All personnel conducting code enforcement as defined in 1208-1.2 shall annually receive a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training as set forth in Title 19 (NYCRR) Part 1208-3.3 in each calendar year following the year in which certified basic training was successfully completed.
- All personnel conducting only Building Safety Inspection duties as defined in 1208-1.2 shall annually receive a minimum of 6 hours of in-service training as set forth in Title 19 (NYCRR) Part 1208-3.3 in each calendar year following the year in which certified basic training was successfully completed.
- Access to transportation is required to meet work requirements in a timely and efficient manner.
3/84; 10/90; 9/97; 8/07; 8/09; 10/12; 9/23; 10/24
Competitive Class
[Non-Competitive PT, Villages]
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to administer, in a fair and equitable manner, the provisions of New York State Civil Service Law and Putnam County Civil Service Rules with respect to the offices and employments in the classified service of Putnam County and the civil divisions therein, which include the towns, villages, school districts, libraries and special districts.
It is Putnam County Personnel Department’s responsibility to ensure Putnam County taxpayers of a public workforce qualified for their jobs pursuant to the principles of selection according to merit and fitness as set forth in Article 5, §6 of the New York State Constitution.
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Paul Eldridge
Personnel Officer