Building/Fire Inspector I/II
Salary
$57,158.40 - $76,689.60 Annually
Location
Merced County Planning/CED Department 2222 M St Merced, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2600497
Department
Community and Economic Development
Opening Date
07/22/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Bargaining Unit
05 Technical/Vocational
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Makes field inspections of residential, commercial, or industrial structures being constructed, altered, or repaired.
Interprets applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations to builders and homeowners and ensures compliance.
Reviews building plans for new and remodel residential and light commercial/industrial projects for compliance with governing codes, regulations and local building ordinances.
Checks the quality of materials and methods of construction for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, framework, concrete, and masonry work, lathing, plastering, tile work, and roofing; inspects completed work, giving approval to acceptable structures and installations.
Writes correction notice to plans and works with contractor to follow up on plan changes.
Investigates violations of building, or fire zoning laws and enforces codes, regulations and local building or fire ordinances.
Inspects existing buildings to determine health or safety hazards, structural failures, fire hazards, or the need for maintenance and repair; inspects commercial structures; inspects mobile home installations; inspects sewage disposal systems.
Gives advice to contractors and individuals on construction procedures and practices.
May determine plan checking, permit and other fees and valuation on plans submitted.
May inspect construction and repair of County buildings and structures.
Performs detailed plan checks of blueprints, diagrams and specifications involving construction projects of all types to ascertain conformance with applicable codes.
May perform fire alarm, fire sprinkler and life safety inspections.
Minimum Qualifications
BUILDING/FIRE INSPECTOR I
Experience:
Two (2) years of full-time, paid work experience in fire code, fire prevention, plan review, plan inspection, as a licensed contractor, or in one of the following trades: electrical, plumbing, carpentry or related structural/mechanical work such as steam fitting, heating, and/or air conditioning.
Completion of 30 semester college units including courses in engineering, architecture, construction technology, building inspection, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for up to one (1) year of required experience.
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
License:
Possess a valid California drivers license at time of appointment and maintain.
Certification:
Incumbents in the classification must obtain certification* as a Residential Building Inspector, Commercial Building Inspector, or Fire Inspector I within 12 months of employment in the position and maintain valid certification.
BUILDING/FIRE INSPECTOR II
Experience:
Three (3) years of full-time, paid work experience, in fire code, fire prevention, plan review, or plan inspection, as a licensed contractor, or in one of the following trades: electrical, plumbing, carpentry or related structural/mechanical work such as steam fitting, heating, and/or air conditioning. One year must have been performing inspection work.
Completion of 30 semester college units including courses in Engineering, architecture, construction technology, building inspection, fire science, or closely related field may substitute for up to one (1) year of required experience.
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
License:
Possess a valid California drivers license at time of appointment and maintain.
Certification:
Possess and maintain valid certification* as a Residential and Commercial Building Inspector Fire Inspector II.
Essential Functions
Sit for periods of time while driving a vehicle or working at a desk.
Frequently stand and walk.
Have manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination needed to use a variety of office equipment.
Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing, and over the telephone.
Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
Respond appropriately to situations, even in hostile environments.
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
Lift and move with help objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
Conduct activities on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
Climb ladders or scaffolding to inspect construction on exterior of buildings, unfinished basements, roofs or other areas under construction.
Climb into and out of ditches and swimming pools under construction; visually trace colored electrical wiring.
Documents compliance with F.E.M.A. regulations on individual projects.
Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge of:
Practices, tools, equipment, and materials used in the general construction trades.
Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
Uniform Codes, National Electrical Codes, or fire codes and pertinent Federal, State and County regulations pertaining to new construction, alterations, repairs and/or demolition of structures.
Construction documents including plans, specifications and calculations and methods to interpret and check for compliance with regulations.
Basic principles of engineering, architectural design and engineering mathematics.
Qualities of various construction materials.
Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting zoning and housing.
Inspection methods and techniques.
Ability to:
Perform building inspections, enforce regulations, examine workmanship, materials and detect deviations from laws, regulations and standard construction practices.
Check construction documents for a proposed project for compliance with governing codes, regulations, fire codes and Local Building Ordinances.
Read, interpret, and explain building plans, specifications and building or fire codes.
Make arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately.
Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.
Promote and enforce safe work practices.
Prepare reports and maintain records.
Read and write at the level required for successful job performance.
Recognize problems and make effective recommendations for their correction.
Observe and record findings during investigations.
Make independent, sound decisions.
Enforce regulations with firmness and tact
Determine levels of substandard construction based on occupancy type and decide on continuation of occupancy based on fire & life-safety standards.
HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION
10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).
SICK LEAVE
0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.
HOLIDAYS
Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.
Dental Insurance - Delta Dental
Vision Insurance - VSP
DISABILITY INSURANCE
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.
LIFE INSURANCE
County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee
RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.
MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.
EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.
EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS
The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.
THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7356.
01
How would you deal with contractors or individuals who disagree with your decision regarding a field inspection?
02
What are some qualities that make a building inspector successful?
03
How would you address concerns you might have regarding a project with the developer?
Required Question
Employer Merced County
Address 2222 M Street
Merced, California, 95340
Phone (209) 385-7682
(209) 385-7682
Website http://www.countyofmerced.com