Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

1. Issue violation notices and stop-work orders, conferring with owners, violators, and authorities to explain regulations and recommend rectifications.

2. Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, and foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety and conformance to specifications and codes.

3. Approve and sign plans that meet required specifications.

4. Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, and construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.

5. Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, and appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.

6. Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, and specifications.

7. Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, and elevation of structures and fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.

8. Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.

9. Use survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, and test equipment, such as concrete strength measurers, to perform inspections.

10. Train, direct and supervise other construction inspectors.

11. Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition and occupancy.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Construction and Building Inspectors. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Construction and Building Inspectors, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$36,750 for entry level workers, and $61,620 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 6,430 Construction and Building Inspectors employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 7,140  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 70 job(s) each year, and a total of 120 job openings each year.

Construction and building inspectors - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Annual Balsa Wood Bridge Competition - The Student Construction Association at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse is pleased to invite your school to this annual competition, which typically takes place in the spring. Groups of no more than four students per school build a balsa wood bridge capable of supporting loads applied to the structure according to the competition rules.

ACE Mentor Program Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering - The ACE Mentor Program serves high school youth who are exploring careers in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering.The mentors are professionals from leading design and construction firms who volunteer their time and energy. The program is designed to engage, inform, and challenge youth. New York Chapters include Long Island, New York City, Utica, Buffalo, Capital District, Syracuse and Binghamton

MCC College for Kids - Among other interests, the camp allows students to cultivate an interest in science and technology, explore possible career areas, and discover the excitement of hands on lab work designing Lego robots, a pinhole camera, a periscope, and an engineering project.

Annual Balsa Wood Bridge Competition - The annual Balsa Wood Bridge Competition, which typically takes place in the spring has groups of no more than four students per school build a balsa wood bridge capable of supporting loads applied to the structure according to the competition rules, with a limit of 6 bridges per school.

West Point Bridge Design Contest - The contest provides middle and high school students with an opportunity to: Learn about engineering through a realistic, hands-on problem-solving experience, the engineering design process--the application of math, science, and technology to create devices and systems that meet human needs, learn about truss bridges and how they work and how engineers use the computer as a problem-solving tool.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 133,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide, and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE's vision is to position engineers as global leaders building a better quality of life.

Appraisers, Real Estate - Appraise real property to determine its value for purchase, sales, investment, mortgage, or loan purposes.

Industrial Safety and Health Engineers - Plan, implement, and coordinate safety programs, requiring application of engineering principles and technology, to prevent or correct unsafe environmental working conditions.

Fire Inspectors - Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.

Aviation Inspectors - Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.

Freight and Cargo Inspectors - Inspect the handling, storage, and stowing of freight and cargoes.