6H45

PAY RANGE:  N22

L&I CONSTRUCTION COMPLIANCE SUPERVISOR

(Inspections & Permit Control)

(Mechanical)

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative and technical supervisory work planning, organizing and directing inspection operations of a district, the city-wide construction demolition program, the construction projects audit program, or the construction permits issuance program for the Inspections & Permit Control specialty; or the mechanical plans review program for the Mechanical specialty.  Employees in this class develop, implement and evaluate program goals, priorities and objectives and direct the daily activities of technical inspection, plans examination and clerical staff of their respective districts or programs. Supervising the activities of a major section responsible for citywide compliance and code enforcement, communicating the provisions of diverse construction codes and related ordinances, and contact with contractors, community groups, and the general public are significant aspects of the work.  In addition to the normal 40-hour workweek, employees may be asked to be available for emergency duty outside of the scheduled work hours on weekdays and on a rotating basis for weekends and holidays, if required by work assignment. May respond, after normal working hours, with emergency departmental personnel and other governmental officials to events creating unsafe and dangerous conditions to properties such as cave-ins, fires, explosions, water main breaks, floods and natural disasters.  Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

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

1. Employees must direct one of the geographical operations districts or a program in a specialty area.
2. Positions must perform the work in the Department of Licenses and Inspections and must supervise L&I Building Inspectors and other technical or clerical staff.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

ALL SPECIALTIES

• Formulates policies for program direction and makes recommendations for implementation; establishes goals and priorities; participates in program development and formulation; implements operational program and procedures; effects program staffing to conform to departmental administrative standards, and program policy and directives; ensures program goals and objectives are being met; evaluates operations/program for effectiveness and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Directs the activities of a major section within the city’s licensing and inspection agency; plans, assigns, reviews and coordinates the work of an administrative and technical staff engaged in code compliance, inspectional and/or enforcement activities; plans, develops and establishes practices and procedures for code functions assigned; coordinates the implementation of current and proposed programs.
• Meets with property owners, architects, community groups and contractors to answer questions and complaints concerning properties; explains inspections procedures, departmental policy and applicable construction codes and related ordinances appropriate for property condition; explains legal and other recourses available.
• Prepares reports on district/program achievements and progress toward achieving program goals; prepares the unit budget; recommends revision of record-keeping and reporting procedures; consults on the development and implementation of training programs and procedures for inspectional staff; instructs clerical staff in the preparation of correspondence and the maintenance of manual and computerized databases of unit clients and projects.
• Keys pertinent inspection data into electronic database;
• Utilizes an electronic database and related software programs to prepare reports and review work activities of subordinate staff.
• Performs related work a required.

INSPECTIONS & PERMIT CONTROL SPECIALTY

·     Directs the receipt and review of building permit applications and permits involving additions; ensures the review of applications for permits involving additions for conformance to the building and zoning codes; directs plans examiners using plot plans, checking measurements to determine correctness of setbacks and required yard space and computing areas for conformity to required uses; determines if proposed changes alter usage categories.

• Supervises the review of applications for conformance to property maintenance and fire prevention codes for light and ventilation requirements, means of sewage disposal, and number and locations of plumbing, sanitary and safety facilities; supervises the review of applications for conformance to aspects of the electrical code for number and location of outlets; directs electrical inspections for conformance; advises applicants when work will require the service of a licensed electrician; supervises the review of applications for conformance to footway codes by determining if plans project over footways or if alterations involve encroachments on paved areas; supervises the review of applications for conformance to ordinances and special control districts which necessitate pre-requisite approvals by Historical, Planning and Art Commissions.

• Plans, assigns and reviews the work of inspectional and technical staff engaged in code enforcement; interprets code administrative policy as it applies to district conditions; standardizes the inspection and enforcement process by training and instruction of staff; authorizes deviations from approved plans as required by field conditions; directs contractors, architects or engineers to resubmit plans for approval if major deviations are found; may stop work in non-compliance cases; authorizes the issuance of fast form permits; reviews inspectors' reports on structures with excessive violations; recommends appropriate corrective action; coordinates district activities with inter departmental units and outside departments and agencies.
• Monitors the technical activities of staff; reviews activity and inspectional reports for type of violation, timeliness and probity of actions and problems, spot checks work performed; resolves most complex technical problems; approves compliance extensions or other cessations of operations.
• Establishes priorities, quantity and quality of activities desired, and resources required to accomplish objectives; discusses and reviews status of operations, productivity, and problems encountered; develops, modifies and implements procedures to increase operating efficiency and expedite workflow; monitors activities to determine effectiveness and achievement of desired results.
• Plans, organizes and directs the construction demolition program; assigns caseload of properties to inspectional staff; directs inspectional staff to assess the conditions of buildings considered unsafe, dangerous or imminently dangerous to the welfare of inhabitants and/or the general public; arranges for relocation of inhabitants; obtains court orders authorizing the demolition of properties; prioritizes the demolition caseload; places properties slated for demolition on bid; authorizes payments to demolition contractors; processes cases requiring property repairs in lieu of demolition to equity court; arranges contractor repairs; directs the approval of all plans and permits involving the correcting of unsafe, dangerous and imminently dangerous conditions of properties; schedules repair reinspection; cooperates with other governmental, quasi-governmental and non-profit agencies to assess their properties’ conditions and recommend repairs or demolition.
• Plans, organizes and directs the contractor compliance program; directs technical inspection staff reviewing contractor estimates of costs of construction breakdowns for determination of chargeable items and calculation of costs of new or renovation construction projects so as to determine contractor liability for permit fees; insures contractors and sub-contractors have the proper licenses and have paid the correct fees; directs technical inspection personnel and trainees visiting work site to observe work in progress for scope of project conforming to plans, reasonableness of actual costs compared to original estimates and construction/renovation work conforming to code; notifies district inspectional personnel of violations of code.
• Explains nature and extent of code requirements and violations; confers with appropriate parties for interpretation of code regulations and requirements; represents and testifies for the department at board and court hearings; lectures groups on code requirements and interpretations; discusses activities and problems with contractors, business representatives, community groups and the public; researches past practices and applicable ordinances; prepares appropriate statistical and narrative reports on activities.

·     May respond, after normal working hours, with emergency departmental personnel and other governmental officials to events creating unsafe and dangerous conditions to properties such as cave-ins, fires, explosions, water main breaks, floods and natural disasters; recommends contractual measures necessary to rectify unsafe and dangerous conditions; coordinates unit activities with inter departmental units and outside departments and agencies.

• Monitors technical staff in the preparation and review of documentation for litigation of code enforcement cases.

MECHANICAL SPECIALTY

·     Directs plumbing, electrical and mechanical unit personnel engaged in plans review activities; insures that the mechanical aspects of building construction plans, blueprints and projects conform to codes, ordinances and permits; insures the accurate and prompt processing of electrical, fuel gas, energy conservation and plumbing permits; coordinates with construction managers and engineers to insure work conforms to codes, ordinances and permits; coordinates plans review and inspection activities with other departmental code enforcement activities and other governmental agencies; insures plans and blueprints for plumbing and mechanical systems are consistent with overall project plans and are processed in a timely manner.

• Develops, revises and implements policies and procedures for plan review and approval; recommends revisions to plumbing, mechanical, fire prevention and electrical codes; ensures efficient unit work flow; maintains confidentiality and security of documents and trades occupational licensing material; updates examination materials; insures uniform interpretation of codes, ordinances and permits by subordinate personnel.
• Consults with advisory board members, contractors, engineers and governmental officials to resolve complex plan, examination or code interpretation problems.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· regulations imposed on the municipality by the PA Uniform Construction Code

· the philosophy, principles and purposes of municipal codes and related ordinances

· current developments and trends in the building construction trade

· the impact of variations in the uniform application of code standards

· inspectional methods and code compliance techniques necessary to the area of specialization

· codes, ordinances and regulations governing building construction, alteration, repair, demolition and site improvement work in the specialty area

· the materials, methods, equipment, practices and estimating techniques used in the construction trades for a variety of alteration, renovation, construction or demolition projects necessary in the area of specialization

· the legal requirements and departmental procedures involved in construction permit applications

· basic architectural design, and the less complex engineering computation and cost estimating techniques appropriate to the specialty area

· the mechanical, plumbing, fire prevention, electrical and related codes, ordinances and regulations as they apply to commercial and industrial establishments and single and multi-family dwellings for the Mechanical specialty

· procedures used in reviewing construction plans and blueprints for conformance to municipal codes, ordinances and regulations and the license requirements of the mechanical trades for the Mechanical specialty

· procedures used in reviewing construction plans and blueprints for conformance to municipal codes, ordinances and regulations and the license requirements of the mechanical trades for the Mechanical specialty

· provisions of the IECC for the Mechanical specialty

· the codes, ordinances and regulations governing zoning requirements for land use for the Inspections & Permit Control specialty

· the property maintenance and fire prevention codes as they apply to light, ventilation and basic sanitary and safety facilities for the Inspections & Permit Control specialty

· the legal requirements governing encroachments on and projections over public footways for the Inspections & Permit Control specialty

· license requirements to submit permit applications for the Inspections & Permit Control specialty

· potential hazards and safety precautions required at construction sites

· the procedures and practices of operational and supportive units integrated within the City’s comprehensive code enforcement

· supervisory methods and techniques

· administrative practices, procedures and techniques

· principles and practices of public administration as they relate to a broad program of code interpretation and administration

· the laws, ordinances and departmental policies pertaining to the enforcement of licensing and inspection codes

· administrative and management practices and procedures

· report writing principles and techniques

· use of personal computers and software applications commonly used in offices

· the principles of personal computer operations

· interactive data retrieval procedures.

SKILL IN:

· evaluating the effectiveness of administrative and technical functions and service programs and implementing changes to provide for more effective and efficient operations

· dealing with the public affected by city codes, regulations, ordinances and administration.

· the operation of a personal computer terminal for data retrieval and report writing.

ABILITY TO:

· plan, assign and supervise technical inspectional and clerical employees contributing to the enforcement of program/operations policies and procedures

· read and interpret blueprints, plot plans and rough sketches, and to recognize deviations from related codes, regulations and ordinances

· interpret and apply provisions of codes, regulations and ordinances and applicable sections of building, fire prevention, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning and related codes and ordinances

· enforce codes, ordinances and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, construction managers, contractors, governmental officials, associates and the general public

· direct plan review personnel in ensuring the mechanical aspects of plans and blueprints conform to related codes and ordinances for the Mechanical specialty

· maintain records and prepare statistical and narrative reports

· query and retrieve information through the electronic database to analyze operations and increase efficiency

· express ideas effectively both orally and in writing

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 9/13.)

 ALL SPECIALTIES

EDUCATION:

Completion of an associate’s degree program at an accredited college, university or technical institute with major course work in building technology or a related area.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Three years of building code enforcement experience.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience performing complex technical building inspection or plans examination work.

OR

            Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the completion of the twelfth school grade as an educational minimum, and the specific experience.

NOTE:

            Additional construction trades experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the post high school education requirement.

CLASSES WHICH TYPICALLY MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CLASS ARE:

6H34 - L & I Construction Codes Specialist (Consolidated with 6H90)

6H25 - Construction Plans Review Specialist

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

ALL SPECIALTIES

            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 if required by work assignment.

INSPECTIONS AND PERMITS CONTROL SPECIALTY

            Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, at the time of announcement, in the following categories:

• Residential Building Inspector
• Building Inspector
• Building Plan Examiner
• Mechanical Inspector
• Plumbing Inspector
• Energy Inspector
• Accessibility Inspector/Plan Examiner
• Certified by the State of Pennsylvania as a Building Code Official (BCO).

MECHANICAL SPECIALTY

            Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, at the time of announcement, in the following categories:

• Building Plans Examiner
• Electrical Inspector
• Electrical Plans Examiner
• Energy Plans Examiner
• Accessibility Inspector/Plan Examiner
• Certified by the State of Pennsylvania as a Building Code Official (BCO)

OR

            Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, at the time of announcement, in the following categories:

o Plumbing Inspector

o Plumbing Plan Examiner

o Mechanical Inspector

o Mechanical Plans Examiner

o Accessibility Inspector/Plan Examiner

o Certified by the State of Pennsylvania as a Building Code Official (BCO)

AND

ALL SPECIALTIES

            Completion of coursework or continuing education credits necessary to maintain certification during tenure of employment as an L&I Construction Compliance Supervisor.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

Class Established 1/53
Spec. Revision: CSC - 7/06; Ad.  Board - 11/06

Spec. Revision: CSC - 10/08; Ad.  Board - 11/08

Spec. Revision: CSC - 8/13; Ad.  Board - 9/13

Latest Spec. Revision: CSC - 11/20; Ad.  Board - 12/20

KH