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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.e. Authorize creation of new position 4 ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CITY COUNCIL City Council Regular Meeting: April 15, 2008 AGENDA ITEM: Authorize creation of new position AGENDA SECTION: Consent PREPARED BY: Kim Lindquist, Acting City Administrator AGENDA NO. (0.Ci ATTACHMENTS: Draft job description APPROVED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve creation of a Building /Fire /Compliance Inspector position and authorize staff to conduct an internal recruitment ISSUE In a separate action tonight the Council is approving reorganization within the City staffing. As part of the reorganization process, a new Code Compliance Inspector position will be created. SUMMARY The new position will combine fire marshall, code enforcement, and building inspection duties into one position. Attached is a draft job description that lays out the various tasks for the new position. It is anticipated that the job will be approximately 50% code enforcement, 25% fire marshall duties, and 25% building inspection. Of course the time commitment for each task varies depending upon the workload. Staff will be forwarding the position description when finalized to be evaluated. That determination will help to slot the position into the salary schedule for the City. Given the previous pay ranges for the three positions; it is expected that the salary will be consistent with the building inspector position or slightly below, which is $24.06/hr. to $30.44/hr. RECOMMENDATION Approve the new position DRAFT CITY OF ROSEMOUNT JOB DESCRIPTION APRIL 2008 POSITION TITLE: Code Compliance Inspector DEPARTMENT: Community Development ACCOUNTABLE TO Building Official SUMMARY OF POSITION To perform a variety of routine and complex technical work to complete plan review and inspection activities for commercial, industrial and residential construction. To promote and maintain the health, safety and welfare of residents and general condition of the City by enforcing state and local codes as they pertain to fire, zoning, general maintenance of private property and illegal use of facilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Serves as the City Code Enforcement Official. a. Performs inspections to enforce property maintenance, sign ordinance, and zoning ordinance; inspects mining operations; and assures that appropriate permits have been pulled. b. Performs systematic inspections to detect and correct nuisance and other code violations. Identifies and informs property owners, managers, renters or others of specific code violations. c. Works in cooperation with other city departments regarding permitting of applications and resolving associated issues. Works with Community Service Officers to coordinate code compliance activities and works in cooperation with other City departments regarding violations of state and local codes. d. Meets with owners, tenants, contractors, developers and businesses to review and explain code requirements and violations or potential violations; secures code compliance. e. Investigates complaints filed with the City involving matters of public health, sanitation, or substandard buildings, and takes appropriate action to secure correction of problems. f. Develops, drafts, monitors and updates communications outreach efforts regarding code compliance issues. Remains familiar with code enforcement practices and changes in the code to ensure that City ordinances are administered in a fair and effective manner. 2. Serves as the Fire Marshall for the City. a. Conduct field inspections, new and existing structures to ensure compliance with fire codes also conduct complaint driven inspections related to fire code. b. Conduct acceptance tests on automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems. c. Inspect existing structures to ensure that the fire protection features are maintained in an operable condition. d. Periodically visit projects under construction to assess the progress and to provide the contractor with feedback on fire code issues. e. Address citizen complaints through inspections to handle fire safety concerns. f. Performs plan reviews as directed by the Building Official. Conduct plan reviews for fire appliance installation: i. Evaluate the proper level of protection ii. Ensure that all areas required to be protected are provided with proper and most appropriate protection. iii. Ensure that the proposed equipment and appliances are approved for that use. iv. Evaluate automatic sprinkler plans to determine adequate water supplies are available. v. Evaluate fire alarm systems to ensure that the proper zones have been identified and are annunciated properly on the panel. vi. Provide fire sprinkler system designers with water pressure and flow data upon request. g. Fire investigation: i. Conduct fire investigation as required. ii. Complete fire investigation reports. iii. Work with insurance companies in handling investigations. iv. Work closely with the Police Department in solving arson cases. h. Coordinate fire prevention education: i. Maintain fire prevention library. ii. Manage inventory of fire prevention education materials. iii. Coordinate fire education with school district. iv. Perform or arrange educational programs for business and community associations and groups 3. Serves as Building Inspector. a. Performs all on -site inspections assigned by the Building Official, which include but are not limited to inspections of footings, foundations, framing, plumbing, and mechanical systems. b. Performs plan reviews as directed by the Building Official. c. Prepares written summaries of inspections. d. Assists in the enforcement of zoning and subdivision ordinances and building related codes. e. Works in cooperation of other city departments regarding permitting of applications and resolving associated issues. 4. Maintains records of building and inspection activity. Prepares permits, handouts, forms and all other paperwork required. Maintains documentation related to inspection and enforcement activities. Maintains complete and accurate records and files of fire inspections made as well as violations and penalties cited. Assists in administering the permitting function, including application processing, fee assessment and collection, and permit issuance. 5. Explains, interprets and provides guidance regarding all applicable Building and Fire codes within area of responsibility to architects, engineers, contractors, developers and other interested parties. Assists in researching problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction and code compliance. Responds to complex and sensitive building issues. 6. Provides prompt and courteous response to inquiries from owners, managers, renters and others regarding the City's property maintenance code, related ordinances, policies and procedures. 7. Assists in resolving complex and sensitive customer service issues, either personally, by telephone or in writing. Maintains records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions. Invokes legal sanctions to ensure correction of violations where cooperative measures have failed. Write letters, orders, and confer by telephone when administering fire code or local ordinances. Testify in court regarding fire prevention, arson crimes and code enforcement requirements. 8. Performs such other duties as are consistent with the tasks of the position and as may be assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. High school degree or GED equivalent. 2. Building Official Certified Limited or ability to obtain within one year. 3. Construction trades experience, including commercial and industrial. 4. Valid Driver's License. 5. Strong mechanical /plumbing background. 6. State certification as a Fire Inspector I, or ability to obtain within one year (Fire Inspector II preferred). 7. Certified as Level III or IV by NICET the National Certification in Engineering Technologies in the field of fire protection and in the subfield of sprinkler system layout; Or be a Minnesota State Certified Building Official who has successfully completed the Fire Suppression System course work of the Building Inspection Technology degree program. 8. Working knowledge of the current addition of the International Fire Code. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 1. Thorough knowledge of state building and general construction codes, and a thorough knowledge of, carpentry, plumbing, and HVAC systems; 2. Considerable knowledge of carpentry and cement work, and skill in applying knowledge of construction codes, zoning and land use applications. 3. Skill in the operation of the listed equipment. 4. Ability to work well with the public and with local contractors. 5. Ability to read and understand complicated plans, blueprints, surveys, and grading as- builts. 6. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 7. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 8. Graduate of a two -year vocational school or equivalent credits. Law enforcement, public administration, housing, construction trades, planning or related course work preferred. 9. Working knowledge of applicable laws, codes, standards, rules and regulations relating to various land use, nuisance and public safety codes. 1 O. Knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques used in building construction. 11. Considerable knowledge of codes, regulations, and ordinances concerning fire prevention 12. Considerable knowledge of City geographical layout and knowledge of particular fir e problems presented by types of buildings, location of streets and bridges, and natural barriers. 13. Considerable ability to deal with people of all backgrounds and to maintain positive and effective working relationships with advisory groups, City officials and the general public. 14. Considerable ability to establish effective working relationships with department heads, City staff, contractors and the general public. 15. Considerable ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with City staff, elected officials and the public including handling complaints and concerns. 16. Considerable ability to clearly and precisely respond to citizen and contractor inquires promptly and with tact and diplomacy. 17. Considerable ability to plan, organize and prioritize work. 18. Considerable ability to use creative and sound judgment to resolve differences, and to research and analyze information, and utilize resources to develop alternatives. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Personal computer, including word processing and permitting software; motor vehicle; calculator, portable radio; phone; ladder and scaffolding; tape measure. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Much work is performed in field settings. Considerable outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land uses and other matters. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, hand, feel or operate objects; and reach out with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee can occasionally be required to stand for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and /or humid conditions or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed and are not all inclusive. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job may change. STATUS Non exempt Reviewed by Emmy Foster, Assistant City Administrator Jamie Verbrugge, City Administrator