HOUSING AND FIRE INSPECTOR 1

This is field work inspecting houses, other residential buildings and/or residential day care facilities for conformance with housing and fire prevention codes and related ordinances and citing violations of these codes. Positions in the Office of Supportive Housing are responsible for conducting inspections of housing facilities to insure that the housing meets applicable government standards. A significant aspect of the work is explaining code and ordinance requirements and nature of violations and requirements to achieve compliance to property operators, landlords and tenants. Work is performed under the supervision of an inspection or housing supervisor.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

Receives list of properties to be inspected; proceeds to site; shows proper identification to landlord, operator or tenant; obtains from occupants the number of dwelling units, the number of persons living there and means of egress; inspects each dwelling unit for conformance to codes, ordinances and standards such as the Philadelphia Housing and Fire Prevention Codes, National Building Code, National Fire Prevention Association Standards, and Building Officials and Code Administrators Standards by testing water faucets and closets for proper operation, insuring operation of fire safety equipment and observing hazardous conditions such as broken plaster, exposed electrical wiring, poor lighting, unsanitary conditions, broken windows and other violations; records nature and location of violations in the inspection report; discusses conditions with tenants, operators or landlords and explains the nature and seriousness of violations; conducts follow-up inspections to see if violations have been corrected; makes referrals of conditions not coming under their jurisdiction to the appropriate departmental, interdepartmental or other governmental unit; participates with these units in the enforcement of housing and fire prevention codes and related ordinances; may collect money orders or checks for licensing fees from operators of day care centers.

Lists and describes violations of specific codes and ordinances on inspection report forms; may testify in court on code violations, conditions found during an inspection and needed repairs; may photograph area of premises violating codes

Attempts to locate vacant housing for use in City's relocation of displaced families or persons; reviews want ads; contacts real estate agencies and property owners for admission to properties; inspects and rates such premises against standards for acceptable occupancy; notifies owners or agents of deficiencies; re-inspects to ascertain that corrections have been made; makes inspection of premises in which tenants have been placed and monthly inspections of dwellings occupied by families receiving rent subsidies and follows up on continuing problems; notifies other agencies of status of relocations.

Performs the duties shown below with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

the methods and techniques of dealing with the general public
inspectional methods and techniques

ABILITY TO:

learn housing and fire prevention codes, reference codes and standards and related ordinances and regulations as they apply to dwelling units
ascertain facts through observations, interviews and inspections
learn photographic work of limited complexity
learn the functions of departmental, inter-departmental and other governmental agencies related to enforcing the housing and fire prevention codes and related ordinances
enforce codes, ordinances and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public
make proper decisions concerning courses of action used on facts uncovered
make accurate arithmetic computations
maintain records and prepare reports/li>
speak and understand English and the designated non-English language for the Bilingual specialty

BOTH SPECIALTIES

EDUCATION
Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade. AND

EXPERIENCE
Two years of field inspectional or investigational work gathering facts by inquiry, observation and examination.

OR
Any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

NOTE Successful completion of an associate's degree or sixty (60) college level coursework credits from an accredited college or university will be accepted in lieu of experience.

Additional Requirement for Positions in the Office of Supportive Housing
Successful completion of a certificate course for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Quality Standard (HQS) is required during the probationary period. Any employee who does not successfully complete the course will be rejected during the probationary period and have their employment terminated.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to converse effectively in English and the designated non-English language.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Housing and Fire Inspector 1 if required by work assignment.

PAY RANGE: 13

Class Established: 10/54

Spec. Revision:
CSC: 5/97, Ad Board: 6/97

Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 8/09, Ad Board: 9/09

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6G03HOUSING AND FIRE INSPECTOR 1

6G03
HOUSING AND FIRE INSPECTOR 1