6G32

PAY RANGE: 20

L&I CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTOR 3

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is advanced performance level field work inspecting existing properties, which may include homes, business establishments, commercial/industrial establishments, residential buildings, day care facilities, residential and commercial high rise buildings, mixed use properties and buildings with commercial uses.  Employees in this class may respond to incidents involving hazardous materials. Inspections are performed to ensure conformance with property maintenance, zoning and fire prevention codes as well as ordinances and regulations governing commercial and business activity.  Employees in this class perform the most complex inspections.  This class is differentiated from the full performance level by the responsibility to inspect commercial high rise buildings.  Interpreting pertinent sections of the applicable codes and ordinances and explaining violations to property owners, building managers, tenants, landlords, business owners and representatives of firms to facilitate compliance is a significant aspect of the work.  Work is performed under the supervision of a technical or administrative superior.

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

• Positions must perform advanced performance level field work inspecting homes, businesses, commercial/industrial establishments, residential buildings, day care facilities, high rise buildings, mixed use properties and buildings with commercial uses to ensure conformance to applicable codes, ordinances and regulations and citing violations of these codes.
• Positions in this class must perform the most complex inspections, including commercial high rise buildings.
• Positions must be located in the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Receives electronic list of properties to be inspected; proceeds to site; shows proper identification to the responsible party; informs responsible party of the purpose or intent of the inspection; elicits information by observation, examination or questioning; records nature and location of violations in electronic database; discusses conditions with responsible party and explains the nature of violations; makes referrals of conditions not under jurisdiction to the appropriate departmental, interdepartmental or other governmental unit; participates with these units in the enforcement of property maintenance and fire prevention codes and related ordinances.
• Completes computerized inspections reports describing conditions found during field investigations; cites violations of relevant codes and ordinances; confers with responsible parties to explain the conditions and hazards found; makes recommendations for specific actions to correct violations; informs responsible party of consequences of not taking corrective action.
• Keys pertinent inspection data into electronic database; utilizes a mobile computer device for typing and routine data entry; completes computer retrieval tasks to receive inspection schedules via a mobile computer device; prepares reports of findings and actions taken.
• Inspects houses, other residential buildings and/or residential day care facilities for conformance with housing and fire prevention codes and related ordinances.
• Inspects commercial and industrial establishments for conformance to the Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code, The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code, and standards such as the National Fire Protection Association Standards.
• Inspects manufacturing plants and records the class and type of building, manufacturing process, types of chemicals used, method of storing and type of storage facilities, type and condition of fire fighting equipment, means of egress, fire resistant materials and doors, type of ventilation and other pertinent information in the electronic database; inspects above ground and underground storage tanks, refineries and large commercial, health, institutional and public establishments for conformance to applicable fire prevention codes and ordinances; may respond to incidents of hazardous materials releases and spills.
• Inspects fire exits to ensure they are clean, unobstructed, illuminated and that signs are properly displayed; checks storage and utility areas for fire hazards and Fire Department tags; determines that stairways are equipped with self-closing doors and are fire safe; ascertains that other sections of the building have required fire resistant materials; locates all extinguishers and ensures that there are a sufficient number on each floor, that they are in working condition and are properly mounted; initiates and observes tests of smoke evacuation and pressure differential systems; observes testing of sprinkler and standpipe systems to ensure that they meet fire code standards.
• Inspects a variety of business establishments; ascertains that the proper licenses are possessed and the required conditions to possess such licenses are met; inspects commercial vehicles to ensure compliance to applicable laws and ordinances before licenses are issued; inspects vending apparatus and conveyances to ensure that size and height requirements are met before licenses are issued; patrols special events; ensures that vending and newspaper stands are located in approved locations and are in compliance with sidewalk ordinances; confiscates tickets, food beverages and merchandise which is being sold without the proper licenses and authorization; performs surveillance activities; prohibits the operation of businesses which fail to comply with city and/or state statutes; issues cease operation orders; assesses fines; confiscates and removes all commercial and/or business apparatus; dismantles newsstands and mobile signs; removes vending carts, conveyances and related merchandise; transports merchandise, carts, vehicles and conveyances to approved storage areas.
• Testifies in court cases and at various appeal hearings regarding violations when necessary.
• Conducts re-inspections to ensure that corrective action is taken; attends training sessions on relevant codes and related issues; may photograph area of premises violating codes; issues cease operations orders to repeat violators or when conditions exist that are hazardous to public safety.
• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· Codes, ordinances and regulations governing property maintenance, zoning, fire prevention and commercial and business activity for the City of Philadelphia.

• Inspectional methods and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of dealing with the general public in inspectional situations.
• Interactive data entry and retrieval procedures.
• Personal computer operations principles
• Photographic work of limited complexity.
• Application of the department’s designated software database.
• Accepted standards of fire safety and property maintenance as they apply to houses, residential buildings, residential day care facilities and minor commercial buildings as promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, International Code Council and similar associations.
• Fire and property maintenance provisions of federal codes as promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, The International Code Council, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
• Licensing requirements of a variety of businesses and commercial activities.
• Functions of departmental, inter-departmental, and other governmental agencies related to enforcing the property maintenance and fire prevention codes and related ordinances.
• Necessary safety procedures when responding to incidents involving hazardous materials

ABILITY TO:

• Enforce codes, ordinances, and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
• Read and interpret blueprints, plans and diagrams.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Ascertain facts through inspections.
• Make accurate decisions concerning the next course of action to take based upon facts uncovered.
• Operate an interactive computer terminal.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/10.)

EDUCATION

Completion of the twelfth school grade or equivalent.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three years of field inspectional or investigational work

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

One year of field work at the full performance level inspecting existing houses, business establishments, commercial/industrial establishments, residential buildings and day care facilities for conformance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.

OR

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

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

1. 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 in this class.

2. Certification by the International Code Council (ICC) in the following categories:

• Fire Inspector I
• Fire Inspector II

3. Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness as recognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and. issued by an agency such as the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Class Established:

CSC - 9/09

Ad. Board - 11/09

Latest Spec Revision:

CSC -4 /10

Ad. Board - 5/10

Consolidated with 6G90:

CSC – 10/15

Ad. Board – 10/15

Re-establishment of class:

CSC – 12/15

Ad. Board – 12/15

BC