Nature of Work: The Building Inspector is responsible for the enforcement and compliance with Federal, State and local codes, laws and zoning and other bylaws and all applicable regulations; oversees the issuance of required permits applicable to building or structure construction and/or renovation plans and zoning ordinance compliance. Employee conducts periodic inspections, maintains records, and issues Certificates of Inspection for existing buildings as required by statute including; places of assembly such as night clubs, restaurants, meeting halls, churches and schools, and for institutional uses, such as hospitals, nursing homes, jails and prisons, and residential uses, such as hotels, lodging houses, limited group residences and all multifamily structures.
Provides responsive service on all complaints of property owners, tenants and others; investigates alleged violations and takes action, if necessary. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.
Supervision Received: Under administrative direction of the Director of Municipal Services, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, and local bylaws. Works independently from municipal policies and objectives. Consults with the Director of Municipal Services when clarification of operating policies are needed, or where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required. The employee/official exercises control in the development of departmental policies, goals, objectives and budgets. The employee/official is also expected to resolve all conflicts, which arise and coordinate with others as necessary.
Performs varied and responsible functions of a technical nature regarding considerable independent judgment in the; application, interpretation and enforcement of building codes, zoning bylaws and other applicable regulations, as well as in formulating decisions regarding policies, procedures, operations and plans at the department level.
Supervisory Responsibility: Employee does not supervise other employees.
Confidentiality: Employee has access to confidential information in accordance with the State Public Records law including official personnel files, department and client records as well as law suits. Confidentiality must be maintained with regard to this information in accordance with the Departmental Policy and Public Records Act.
Accountability: Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, personal injury, danger to public safety, legal repercussions, jeopardize programs, lower standards of service, sub-standard construction, monetary losses, damage to buildings and equipment, personal injuries, delay in service delivery or adverse public relations.
Judgment: The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices, and precedents, which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and enforcement of state laws and local ordinances.
Complexity: The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.
Nature and Purpose of Relationships: Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public and with groups and/or individuals such as civil leaders, peers from other organizations, representatives from professional organizations, and news media. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance. The employee deals with the public and other individuals on behalf of the department to communicate departmental practices, procedure, regulations or guidelines. May encounter individuals who have conflicting opinions or objectives, diverse points of view or differences where skillful negotiating and achieving compromise is required to secure support, concurrence and acceptance or compliance; or one-on-one relationships with a person who may be under severe stress, where gaining a high degree of persuasion may be required to obtain the desired effect. The employee represents to the public a functional area of the municipality on matters of procedures or policy where perceptiveness is required to analyze circumstances in order to act appropriately. Excellent communication and customer service skills are required involving courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in resolving complaints and concerns of the public.
Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
1. Issues licenses for buildings, permits and inspections operations, provides advice to other Inspectors as required on code issues to ensure compliance with state and local laws and the enforcement of local zoning and other applicable State regulations or Town Bylaws; assists in the resolution of difficult inspection or code enforcement issues.
2. Observes conditions and issues notices for correction to persons responsible for conformance of state building and related codes; researches, obtains evidence and prepares informational reports concerning compliance or violations which have not been corrected.
3. Reviews architectural building plans and specifications involved for code requirements and approves plan for issuance of building permits as required by the Massachusetts State Building Code; reviews all plans and specifications for compliance with local zoning bylaws; inspects all work for compliance with approved plans.
4. Explains requirements, polices, procedures and ordinances; recommends compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers and owners relative to the mode or manner of construction and materials to be used in construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, demolition, removal, installation of equipment and the location, use, occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and structures.
5. Prepares and maintains inspection records and prepares reports for use by other Town officials, administrative or judicial authorities; confers with other code inspectors when necessary.
6. Attends public meetings as necessary to discuss codes, building construction or renovation plan reviews and other related issues.
7. Inspects new residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings during and after construction and upon completion and repair and alteration work, during process and upon completion for conformity with all code requirements and approved plans and with zoning restrictions to ensure that components such as footings, floor framing, completed framing, chimneys and stairways meet provisions of building, grading, zoning, and safety laws and approved plans, specifications and standards as needed; issues occupancy permits upon completion of requirements of all codes and statutes relating to public safety.
8. Responds to natural disaster emergencies; supervises damage team members and volunteers.
9. Keeps abreast of all changes or revisions to the State Building Codes and local zoning bylaws.
10. Maintains State required continuing education requirements by attending meetings and seminars.
11. Works in conjunction with the Fire Chief to ensure the safety of public assembly buildings.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent. Five or more years of prior work experience in the building construction, design or construction trades in a supervisory role and a degree in a related field
Special Requirements:
Valid Massachusetts Drivers License
Local Building Inspector's License preferred; must complete 3 certification tests within 12 months of hire and have prior written approval from the BBRS/BOCC to take the required exams.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:
Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the state building code and related codes and of MGL Chapter 30B, Chapter 149 laws as well as ADA rules and guidelines and working knowledge of asbestos and environmental compliance regulations. Working knowledge of the principles and practices of building construction, inspection, and fire prevention, light, ventilation and safe egress; general knowledge of building construction equipment and materials, and the State building code, local bylaws; and other applicable state statutes, rules and regulations, knowledge of the Town's geography and principles and policies of personnel management and supervision.
Abilities: Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings and plans, interpret and enforce in a firm, tactful and impartial manner state, local and federal laws including the State Building Code and local zoning bylaws. Ability to deal appropriately with the general public and members of the building community. Ability to understand engineering terminology and mathematical concepts. Ability to understand court procedures related to building and zoning issues. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Ability to make presentations effectively to public groups, boards and committees. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed and effective manner, deal tactfully with disgruntled members of the public; ability to establish effective working relationships with department staff, owners, designers, contractors, subcontractors and other code enforcement or regulatory agencies.
Skill: Skill in the operation of all above mentioned tools and equipment. Proficient organizational oral and written communication skills; effective negotiation skills; proficient data processing skills. Excellent customer service and supervisory skills.
Work Environment: Working conditions involve exposure to intermittent machine or related noise and a combination of unpleasant elements such as odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt or grease. Work may involve occasional work at heights, or in confined or cramped quarters, or work around machinery and its moving parts. Work may also involve occasional mental stress, such as completing several unrelated tasks within a relatively short period of time. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings, and/or in response to emergencies on a 24/7 basis.
Occupational Risk: Duties generally do not generally present occupational risk, with only occasional exposure to risk when conducting field inspections. Personal injury could occur, however, through employee failure to properly follow safety precautions or procedures when assessing the structural integrity of a building. Examples of injury may include bruises from falls, minor cuts or burns, or muscular strains and serious personal injury while accessing construction sites.
Physical and Mental Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.
Physical Skills: This position requires frequent light to moderate physical effort while performing inspections; must be able to access all areas and levels of a construction site, and is frequently required to spend several hours walking or standing. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms; frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. Performance of the essential functions may also require employee to climb or balance, stoop of kneel, crouch or crawl. May be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Motor Skills: Duties involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include moving objects, operating a telephone system, and/or most other office equipment, using a personal computer, typing filing, sorting, working with hand tools such as a hammer, screw driver or shovel, and operating a motor vehicle.
Visual Skills: Employee is required to read documents for general understanding and analytical purposes. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)
Posting begins November 12, 2025 and will remain open until filled.
