Construction and Building Inspectors
What is a Construction and Building Inspector?
Construction and Building Inspectors are professionals who ensure that construction projects comply with local, state, and federal building codes and regulations. They examine the structural integrity, safety, and overall quality of buildings and other structures. Their work involves reviewing blueprints and plans, inspecting construction sites, and providing assessments of compliance with safety regulations. These inspectors play a crucial role in the construction process, ensuring that all standards are met before a building is approved for occupancy. They may focus on various types of construction, including residential, commercial, and industrial, and often specialize in particular aspects of building inspection such as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Through their inspections, they help to protect public safety and ensure that buildings are constructed to withstand environmental stresses and hazards.
Tasks
- Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
- Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
- Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
- Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.
- Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
Technology Skills
- Word processing software
- Presentation software
- Electronic mail software
- Compliance software
- Project management software
Tools Used
- Levels
- Circuit tester
- Multimeters
- GFI circuit testers
- Liquid leak detectors
Knowledge
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Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Skills
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Abilities
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Bachelor's degree
Work Activities
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Detailed Work Activities
- Authorize construction activities.
- Evaluate construction projects to determine compliance with external standards or regulations.
- Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
- Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
- Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$43740.0 - $106200.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.