Building Inspector
Job Title: Building Inspector
Employer: City of Southgate, Michigan
Type: Full Time – Non-Exempt
Salary and Benefits: $48,842.20 ($49,574.84 on July 1, 2025)
Health Care with HSA option (includes City contribution), Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance
Retiree Health Savings Account
Defined Contribution Retirement Account
To Apply: Send completed application, resume, and references to Southgate Building Department, Attn: Tim Leach,
14400 Dix-Toledo Rd, Southgate, MI 48195 or email to tleach@southgatemi.gov
General Summary:
City of Southgate seeks a qualified building professional to perform specialized, technical and inspection work in the
enforcement of building codes and city, regulations governing residences and buildings. Perform related work as
required, including residential plan review.
Responsibilities & Duties:
An employee, in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (These examples do not include all of
the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)
1. Perform specialized technical and inspection work to enforce building codes related city regulations.
a. Inspect commercial property, multi-family dwellings, and residential property at pre-determined points
of completion to assure that unsafe building practices do not exist. Notify contractors when variances
are found. Re-inspect after corrections have been made and record findings.
b. Examine construction plans and building specifications in blueprints to assure that Michigan Building
Code, Michigan Residential Code, and city code and ordinances have been met.
c. Complete reports on new and existing buildings listing violations found which must be corrected before
a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.
d. Make inspections and complete reports necessary to receive funds from federal grant programs for the
poor and elderly.
e. Assist the general public and contractors with their questions about the technical interpretations of the
Michigan Building Code, Michigan Residential Code, and city building regulations.
2. Perform related work as required
Desirable Qualifications for Employment and Special Requirements:
Knowledge of procedures and practices used in the construction, alteration, demolition, and maintenance of
commercial and residential buildings
Knowledge of material and city building codes and regulations.
Skill in evaluating construction plans and inspecting construction work in process to determine conformance
with established building standards.
Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with contractors, fellow employees and the general public.
Education requirements include a high school diploma and some college training with blueprint reading and
code certification courses preferred.
Experience requirements include three years as a licensed building, architect or supervisor in the trades.
A Michigan driver’s license is also required.
Experience with BS&A Software Building Module (Preferred)
One or more Act 407 compliant required certifications.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Summary
Perform specialized, technical and inspection work in the enforcement of building codes and city, regulations
governing residences and buildings. Perform related work as required, including residential plan review.
Supervision Received
Workers performed under the general supervision of the Building Inspections Director. This employee carries
out on-going inspection duties with considerable independence according to established standards and
practices.
Responsibilities and Duties
An employee, in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (These examples do not
include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)
1. Perform specialized technical and inspection work to enforce building codes related city regulations.
a. Inspect commercial property, multi-family dwellings, and residential property at pre-determined
points of completion to assure that unsafe building practices do not exist. Notify contractors
when variances are found. Re-inspect after corrections have been made and record findings.
b. Examine construction plans and building specifications in blueprints to assure that Michigan
Building Code, Michigan Residential Code, and city code and ordinances have been met.
c. Complete reports on new and existing buildings listing violations found which must be corrected
before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.
d. Make inspections and complete reports necessary to receive funds from federal grant programs
for the poor and elderly.
e. Assist the general public and contractors with their questions about the technical
interpretations of the Michigan Building Code, Michigan Residential Code, and city building
regulations.
2. Perform related work as required
Desirable Qualifications for Employment
An employee in this class, upon appointment, should have an equivalent of the following knowledge, training
and experience:
• Knowledge of procedures and practices used in the construction, alteration, demolition, and
maintenance of commercial and residential buildings
• Knowledge of material and city building codes and regulations.
• Skill in evaluating construction plans and inspecting construction work in process to determine
conformance with established building standards.
• Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with contractors, fellow employees and the general
public.
• Education requirements include a high school diploma and some college training with blueprint reading
and code certification courses preferred.
• Experience requirements include three years as a licensed building, architect or supervisor in the trades.
• A Michigan driver’s license is also required.
• Experience with BS&A Software Building Module (Preferred)
2
Updated May 5, 2025
BUILDING INSPECTOR
POSITION DESCRIPTION ADDENDUM
SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS
A valid state driver’s license, or ability to obtain one by start of employment. One or more Act 407 compliant
required certifications.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Personal computer, including word processing and permitting software; tablet; motor vehicle; 10-key calculator;
cell phone; ladder or scaffolding; tape measure.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use
developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various
pieces of office equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employees occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger,
handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while
performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The
employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places, and is occasionally
exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.