HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing InspectorUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Housing Inspector
Department: Neighborhood & Development Services
Division: Neighborhood Services
Supervisor: Senior Housing Inspector
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 11
Job Number: 1117
Job Summary
Under general direction, performs residential inspections under city code as well as for the
Housing Choice Voucher program. Prescribes action for conformance to housing, building,
zoning, and fire codes and standards.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Schedules and conducts field inspections of rental properties and rental licensing,
including properties whose tenants have a Housing Choice Voucher.
• Schedules and inspects residential structures for compliance with codes and regulations.
Inspector also inspects any open residential building permit when completing rental
license inspections.
• Identifies and documents non-compliant items and code violations regarding rental
properties and inspections, provide report to property manager/owner, and responds to
questions, provides follow up inspections for compliance.
• Serves as liaison for public education for housing code enforcement under local, state
and federal programs.
• Tracks inspections and compliance, manages rental permit renewals, provides
documentation and inspection reports.
• Issues notice of violation, fines and citations when not in compliance, condemns units or
buildings when determined necessary.
• Testifies and presents evidence in court cases related to code enforcement.
• Generals and distributes invoices, receives and enteral rental permit fee payments.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Provides information concerning the housing, building and zoning code enforcement and
procedures to the general public and conducts public education and outreach.
• Attends Board of Appeals hearings and initiates legal action.
• Testifies and presents evidence on behalf of the City on matters related to housing and
building code enforcement.
• Issues rental permits and closes out open building permits.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Investigates and researches vacant and abandoned buildings.
• Identifies non-compliance issues associated with specifications and the inspected
buildings and informs appropriate parties of lack of compliance with City standards;
works with other inspectors and City staff regarding compliance issues and
interpretation.
• Responds and meets with building owners, tenants, contractors, developers, architects,
general public and homeowners to answer questions concerning code requirements,
typically to determine if improvement will meet the requirements for rental licensing.
• Investigates nuisance complaints.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
• Certified Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor certification within one year of hire. Valid State of
Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass
criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in
construction/building trades.
• International Code Council Residential Building Inspector (B1) certification within 12
months of hire. International Code Council certifications such as Commercial Building
Inspector (B2), Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector (64), or other Residential,
Commercial or Plans Examiner certifications (B3, M1-3, E1-3, P1-3).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to deal with upset customers and to explain code interpretation in a calm and
understandable manner to the public.
• Ability to detect defective materials and workmanship and work well in a team
environment.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Ability to perform mathematical functions in order to review contractor compliance with
standards.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications, blueprints, easement documents,
design manuals and textbooks, professional journals, technical procedures, or
governmental regulations.
• Ability to record concise field notes and report progress.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and codes related to building
construction.
• Knowledge of materials, methods and practices used in building construction.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the
work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director (4/2024)
of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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