Senior Building Inspector; Building Division

Position: Senior Building Inspector (Building Division)
Salary : $61,963.20 Annually
Location : Kingsport, TN
Job Type: Full Time Regular
Job Number:
Department: Development Services
Division: Building and Codes Enforcement
Opening Date: 12/18/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Purpose
Performs administrative and technical work relating to all construction projects within the City of Kingsport to ensure compliance with appropriate building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes, contract specifications, and related ordinances;
Serves in the absence of the Building/Zoning Manager.

Essential Functions

• Acts in the absence of the Building/Zoning Manager;
• Assists office personnel and building inspectors in responding to questions/problems relating to building/zoning issues.
• Coordinates the building and plans review process with other departments to expedite construction development projects.
• Attends pre-construction meetings as requested.
• Reviews submitted residential and commercial construction specifications and/or plans for adherence with all applicable building and/or zoning codes, regulations, and ordinances;
• Issues building permits upon plan approval;
• Responds to a variety of inquiries providing information and guidance pertaining to code and/or zone compliance/requirements.
• Inspects residential and commercial projects throughout the various construction and/or remodeling phases for compliance with applicable city, state and federal codes, regulations and/or ordinances including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas;
• Checks location of structure or additions against approved plans to ensure proper positioning within property lines.
• Inspects materials, workmanship, foundations, footings, and framing;
• Enforces zoning, flood district, landscape and signage ordinances;
• Issues citations for non-compliance; maintains records and files of project status.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles and theories of community development;
• Knowledge of general management principles and practices;
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of building/construction inspection activities;
• Knowledge of all applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations;
• Knowledge of City of Kingsport codes and policies regarding zoning, environmental restrictions and other regulations;
• Knowledge of acceptable safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial, industrial and residential projects;
  Skill in interpreting complex laws, ordinances and codes;
• Skill in working effectively in an environment subject to quickly changing priorities, constant interruptions, frequent exposure to varying environmental conditions as well as hazards of in-process construction;
• Skill in determining if construction plans/specifications conform to code requirements;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with contractors, city personnel, and the public.

Education and Experience
High school graduate or GED with 6 years construction experience as a building inspector, superintendent or foreman: OR Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering or closely related area may substitute for two years of required work experience; must possess current ICC certification as a Building Inspector and Building Plan Examiner. Valid TN/VA Drivers License.

* Required Certifications are as follows:

• ICC Certification as Commercial Building, Plumbing, & Mechanical Inspector as required by T.C.A. ;
• ICC Certification as Property Maintenance & Housing inspector OR Residential Electrical Inspector;
• ICC Certification as Residential and Commercial Combination Inspector; OR ICC Certification as Residential and Commercial Building Plans Examiner.
• ICC Certification as residential energy code inspector, accessibility inspector or FEMA floodplain management;
• ICC Certification as a Certified Building Official and Commercial Building Plan Examiner

* Must possess valid

TN/VA Driver's License.
RETIREMENT- TCRS Hybrid Plan: Participation is mandatory. No waiting period. Plan is a combination of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit plan consists of a 5% mandatory contribution from the employee and a 4% employer contribution. Employee is also auto-enrolled at 2 % in the defined contribution plan with the City contributing 5%. Employee has the option to increase or decrease his/her defined contribution percentage.
VACATION: Vacation accrual is based upon your length of service with the Ctiy Of Kingsport. New employees will receive upon hire date one (1) week vacation, and will accrue 6.67 hours per month with the exception of Firefighters who accrue 12 hours per month. Vacation is available for use as it is earned.
HOLIDAYS: The City of Kingsport offers 12 paid Holidays per year:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday (1 day). There is no eligibility period to qualify for…