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Home My WebLink About2026-09-02 Building Inspector Date: September 2, 2026 To: Lewis County Board of County Commissioners From: Mindy Brooks, Director of Community Development RE: Request to Double Fill Building Inspector 1 Position Attachments: A – Community Development 2026 Organizational Chart B – Building Inspector Job Description REQUESTED ACTION Community Development is requesting that the Board of County Commissioner approve the hiring of two candidates to fill the one vacant Building Inspector position. Community Development posted the Building Inspector position, Attachment B, and received 19 qualified applicants; five were chosen for the 2nd round of interviews and all five would be a great addition to the Building Division. We would like to hire the top two applicants and double fill the one vacant position. Both would be hired at Grade 119. RATIONALE There is one vacant Building Inspector position at this time. In February 2027, Doyle Sanford, Building Official, will be retiring. We intend to promote internally from the existing Building Inspectors, which will create a second vacancy in February. If we do not double fill the position and simply hire the top candidate, then in February, after Doyle’s retirement and promotion of a Building Inspector to the Building Official, a new recruitment process would have to begin. At a minimum it will take one month to post the vacancy, receive and review applications, interview and hire a new employee. If they begin immediately, it would be an additional 3-6 months before they are trained and certified. This would create a gap in services. Double filling the position now allows us to begin training now. Within 3 months it is possible for one or both of the new staff to have their B1 certifications. (Note – Building Inspectors are expected to have their B1 certification within 6 months of hiring; however, they can choose to 2 of 3 expedite the process.) Therefore, before Doyle’s retirement we could have two certified Building Inspectors and no gap in services. BUDGET IMPACTS There is no impact on the General Fund. The Building Inspector positions are fully funded through collected building permit fees. There are salary savings in 2026 due to the open Building Inspector position not being filled for two months. In addition, total permit applications have increased to pre-2020 levels resulting in more revenue than expected in 2026. Community Development will do a budget amendment to reflect the changes. Note, if permit applications drop off significantly in the last quarter of 2026, Community Development will use a transfer from the existing Fund Balance to fund the extra Building Inspector through February 2027. Community Development Org Chart - July 1, 2026 Grade 133 Step 10 FT 100% Grade 127 Step 5 FT 100%Grade 127 Step 9 FT 100%Grade 125 Step 4 FT 100%Grade 128 Step 11 FT 100% Grade 125 FT 100%Gade 126 Step 4 FT 100%Grade 121 Step 9 FT 100%Grade 118 Step 5 FT 100% (.60)Grade 124 Step 6 FT 95% Bldg 5% Grade 123 Step 5 FT 100% Grade 125 FT 100%Grade 119 Step 7 FT 100%Grade 115 Step 2 FT 60%Grade 122 FT 95% Bldg Grade 123 Step 8 FT 100%Grade 119 Step 6 FT 100%Grade 121 Step 13 FT 100% Grade 123 Step 1 FT 100%Grade 116 Step 4 FT 100%Grade 121 Step 2 FT 100% Grade 120 FT 100%Grade 115 FT 100%Grade 119 FT 100% Grade 120 FT 100% SR. Long Range Planner SR. Project Planner Office Manager Building Offical/Firemarshall Natalie Kamieniecki Karen Johnson Sarah Hensley Doyle Sanford The Comm. Dev Director reorts to: County Manager Ryan Barrett Mindy Brooks Director of Community Development Planning Division Permit Center & Administration Building Division Assistant Long Range Planner Supervising Planner Permit Tech Lead Admin Assistant - CD FROZEN Preston Pinkston Brad Clark Megan Sathre Permit Tech 3 Permit Tech 2 Katie Johnson Tara Snelson Jennifer Cervantes Planner 3 Office Assistant - CD FROZEN Kylie Peckham Permit Tech 3Planner 2 Mollie Hurt Planner 2 Weston Floro-Hagerman Planner 1 Permit Tech 1 FROZEN FROZEN Assistant Planner FROZEN Plans Examiner Mike Johnston Building Inspector 4 Jordan Panteleeff Building Inspector 3 Building Inspector 1 VACANT Green Denotes Exempt Employee FROZEN Code Compliance Officer Smokey Padgett Building Inspector 2 Neal Bahrt BUILDING INSPECTOR 1 JOB DESCRIPTION Page 1 of 3 Job Title: Building Inspector 1 Dept./Division: Community Development Job Class Code: 1514 Pay Grade: 119 PCN: 1514001 FLSA: Non-Exempt Effective Date: June 2026 Representation Status: AFSCME Revision Date: March 2026 Reports To: Community Development Director, Building Official/Fire Marshal NATURE OF WORK Under close supervision, assists in performing building inspections; receives training in reading blueprints and technical drawings, and compliance to codes, regulations and ordinances; and performs other duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties are the fundamental, crucial job duties performed by this position. This is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that may be assigned. Incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned and appropriate for the position. • Assists in reviewing plans and specifications in relation to Lewis County codes, ordinances and regulations. • Trains and performs residential building inspections, including identifying and documenting deficiencies and deviations; over time gains independence and limited ability to issue pass/fail notices. • Assists in preparing inspection records, project documentation and project files. • Assists with code enforcement as needed. • Provides information regarding building regulations and permitting processes to the public. WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed in the field and a standard office environment; work involves exposure to variable weather conditions, uneven terrain, general construction hazards, and confined spaces; subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing ladders, and lifting of objects up to 40 pounds. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a beginner level in the Building Inspector series and is intended as a training period under close supervision of more senior level Building Inspectors with limited ability to issue pass/fail notices. Incumbents learn to inspect building construction sites and gain basic knowledge of construction inspection policies and procedures. It is expected that upon completion of one (1) of employment as a Job Title: Building Inspector 1 Job Class Code: 1514 Page 2 of 3 Building Inspector 1, the incumbent will obtain International Code Council (ICC) Residential Inspector certification and be promoted to a Building Inspector 2. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent; AND two (2) years’ journeyman-level general construction experience. Valid Driver’s License and Driver Record Evaluation that meets current County Vehicle Use Policy. COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors): Knowledge of: • Federal, state and local building, housing and safety codes and regulations. • Methods and techniques of inspecting buildings, structures and facilities. • Regulations and standards governing building inspection activities. • Construction principles, practices, materials, and methods. • Occupational hazards and safety precautions. • Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures. Skills in: • Applying technical knowledge of building trades and using sound inspection methods to determine workmanship and materials quality and detect deviations from building and safety codes. • Interpreting and applying statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations. • Interpreting building, plumbing and mechanical regulations, and comparing them with engineering drawings, plans, maps and specifications. • Identifying construction deficiencies, code violations, and deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices. • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other staff, contractors, homeowners, outside agencies, and the general public. • Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software. • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to: • Learn and follow County policies and procedures. • Adapt to changing business needs, conditions, priorities and work responsibilities. • Learn, retain, and recall new or changing information and processes. • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, considering the needs of the audience. • Make timely, logical decisions, solve problems, and prioritize work appropriately. • Effectively manage stress and maintain composure. Behaviors: • Regular, reliable attendance. • Earn trust and respect through honesty, professionalism, and maintaining confidentiality. • Accept personal responsibility for work, actions, and words. Job Title: Building Inspector 1 Job Class Code: 1514 Page 3 of 3 • Listen to understand various perspectives. • Demonstrate initiative to learn, share information, and improve processes. As the incumbent in this position, I have received a copy of this position description. ________________________________________________ Employee’s Name _________________________________________________ Employee’s Signature Date