Building Inspector Apprentice

Responsibilities

***This position is located in St. George***

IBTS is seeking a motivated individual to join our team as a Building Inspector Apprentice through a structured 10-month Residential Combination Inspector Development Program.

This position is designed for someone interested in building a career in building safety, construction inspection, and code enforcement. Previous inspection experience and ICC certifications are not required. We are looking for someone with the ability and commitment to learn technical material, accept coaching, work reliably as part of a team, and successfully complete professional certification examinations.

Through structured study, mentorship, and hands-on field training, the apprentice will work toward the International Code Council (ICC) Residential Combination Inspector (R5) designation by earning four residential inspector certifications:

• Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)
• Residential Building Inspector (B1)
• Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)
• Residential Mechanical Inspector (M1)

The program progresses from departmental orientation and technical study to supervised inspections and, ultimately, demonstrated competency performing residential combination inspections.

Responsibilitties

• Participate in structured technical training in residential electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical codes.
• Complete approximately eight or more hours per week of assigned technical study (on your own time) during certification phases of the program.
• Prepare for and successfully complete required ICC certification examinations.
• Learn to efficiently navigate and apply technical codes and reference materials.
• Complete practice quizzes, technical-reference exercises, and timed exam simulations.
• Shadow experienced inspectors and progressively conduct residential inspections under supervision.
• Identify construction deficiencies and applicable code requirements.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and defensible inspection reports and correction notices.
• Learn permitting, inspection scheduling, records, and related Building Department processes.
• Communicate professionally with contractors, property owners, design professionals, coworkers, clients, and members of the public.
• Maintain required training, study, and certification documentation.
• Participate in ongoing mentoring, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Assume progressively greater field responsibility as certifications and competency are demonstrated. 

Certification & Development Expectations

This position requires a meaningful commitment to professional development.

During the approximately 10-month program, the apprentice will progress through structured study, practice testing, certification examinations, supervised field training, and formal competency evaluations.

The program requires successful completion of four ICC residential inspector certification examinations. Continued participation and advancement are dependent upon satisfactory progress in certification achievement, technical knowledge, field competency, inspection quality, professionalism, customer service, reliability, and responsiveness to coaching.

Successful completion of the program requires:

• E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certification
• B1 Residential Building Inspector certification
• P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector certification
• M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector certification
• Successful residential field competency evaluations
• Occupancy inspection training
• Demonstrated professionalism and customer service
• Consistent demonstration of IBTS core values
• Mentor recommendation
• Management approval

Upon successful completion, the employee will have attained the qualifications for the ICC Residential Combination Inspector (R5) designation and may be assigned as a Residential Combination Inspector based on organizational needs and management approval.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally to inspection sites.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply detailed written and technical information.
• Basic mathematical and computer skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to independently study technical material and meet established deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to successfully complete required professional certification examinations.
• Ability to receive and apply constructive feedback.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to perform work in active construction environments and typical field conditions.

Preferred Background 

Previous building inspection or code-enforcement experience is not required.  Relevant experience or education may include:

• Construction or skilled trades
• Architecture or engineering
• Construction management
• Building maintenance or facilities
• Permitting or municipal government
• Technical or vocational education
• Quality assurance or compliance
• Military technical training
• Other work requiring the interpretation of technical rules, standards, procedures, or regulations

Demonstrated success completing technical coursework, licensing examinations, professional certifications, apprenticeships, or other structured learning programs is desirable. 

Key Skills/Competencies for this position

The strongest candidate will: 

• Be dependable and follow through on commitments.
• Take ownership of their work and professional development. 
• Enjoy learning, researching, and solving problems.
• Be comfortable using manuals and reference materials to find answers.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Be able to independently study and stay on schedule.
• Accept coaching and apply feedback.
• Be willing to ask questions when they do not know the answer.
• Communicate respectfully and work effectively with others.
• Remain professional when interacting with people who may disagree with a decision.
• Be comfortable working in an office, independently studying, and visiting active construction sites.
• Want to develop building safety and code enforcement as a career. 

IBTS Core Values

Successful team members demonstrate the core values IBTS considers fundamental to our work:

• Work Ethic — Takes initiative, accepts responsibility, demonstrates integrity, and puts forth the effort necessary to accomplish goals.
• Reliability & Dependability — Can be counted on to be responsive, meet deadlines, maintain dependable attendance, and follow through on commitments.
• Collaboration & Team Contribution — Works effectively with others, communicates constructively, respects different perspectives, and contributes to productive working relationships.
• Teachable — Actively learns, participates in training and mentoring, accepts constructive feedback, and adjusts performance to continuously improve.
• For this position, being teachable is especially important. You do not need to come to us knowing the building codes—you do need to come prepared to learn them.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands

This position requires a combination of office, training, and field work. The employee may be required to:

• Frequently sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout active construction sites.
• Walk over uneven, unfinished, muddy, or otherwise challenging terrain.
• Navigate stairs, ladders, and partially completed structures as necessary to perform inspections.
• Enter and move through confined or limited-access areas when necessary and safe to do so.
• Use hands and fingers to operate computers, tablets, mobile devices, inspection equipment, and other tools.
• Read plans, technical documents, code books, electronic displays, labels, and construction details.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic means.
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 25 pounds.
• Operate or travel in a motor vehicle between inspection sites.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field assignments may involve:

• Active residential construction sites and partially completed structures
• Indoor and outdoor work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, rain, and direct sunlight.
• Exposure to dust, dirt, mud, noise, construction debris, and other conditions commonly associated with active construction sites.
• Work around construction equipment, vehicles, tools, electrical systems, building materials, and other potential jobsite hazards.
• Walking or standing for extended periods during inspections.
• Travel between multiple inspection locations during the workday.
• Use of required personal protective equipment and adherence to applicable safety procedures

Company Overview

Bring your passion, expertise, and experience to IBTS, where we appreciate and are committed to our employees. We offer outstanding benefits, growth opportunities, and work hard to maintain a culture that values our employees. 

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established to provide unbiased professional building code compliance services, while enhancing the communities in which we work. At IBTS, our mission is to deliver quality services to meet the challenges of governance at all levels while enhancing public safety, economic development, and the general welfare of the community. Our services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability Services, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, as well as Compliance and Risk Monitoring.

IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.

We are committed to building a community of experts with diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives who are passionate about our mission. IBTS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer that is committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. This opportunity is open to Section S3 Residents. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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