Building Construction Specialist

LANCASTER COUNTY HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Building Construction Specialist

Reports To:     Director – Housing and Community Development                                                   

Prepared by:    ADP Resource                                                        September 10, 2024

SUMMARY:

This position is primarily responsible for providing administrative and technical support, planning, coordinating, and monitoring of major and minor construction projects funded by the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. This position is also responsible for construction management of public infrastructure and community facilities and other activities by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Schedules and performs initial inspections to identify deficiencies in mechanical systems, structural integrity, weatherization, and other general housing conditions in accordance with applicable program and municipal codes, standards, and regulations.

• Prepares and/or reviews detailed work write-up and project specifications to identify acceptable method of correcting identified deficiencies and prepares independent estimates to determine reasonable cost of correcting deficiencies based on project plans and specifications.

• Reviews plans, drawings, and specifications to provide interpretations; reviews and makes recommendations regarding contractor requests for change orders; modifies appropriate documents to reflect approved changes and obtain approvals of all parties.

• Participates in planning of new projects by reviewing contractor bids and proposals; recommends changes and modifications needed to conform to local, state, or federal codes and regulations.

• Conducts inspection of construction and renovation projects with owner; contractor; local, state, and federal inspectors; and representative of private lender, if applicable to ensure that methods, workmanship, and materials are in compliance with contract provisions, plans and specifications, and applicable building/construction codes and ordinances; completes progress reports; notifies owner and/or contractor of deficiencies and follows up to insure they are corrected. Conducts all assigned field inspections of commercial/residential structures for compliance with the Pennsylvania and UCC Building Code and Maintains a record of each inspection result in the County database system. 

• Oversees the securing of appropriate permits, approvals, inspection certificates, and other construction-related documents by the contractor.

• Coordinates and maintains communication with other agency staff, architects, engineers, and community officials as required.

• Monitors construction activities by conducting on-site visits and inspections, scheduling and attending project meetings, such as pre-bid, pre-construction meetings and construction monitoring meetings

• Responsible for documenting interviews with a contractor’s employees to ensure compliance with the Prevailing Wage and Federal Labor Standards Provisions.

• Notifies program staff of the inspection results, and of the required or recommended repairs that must be completed.

• Conducts on site lead based paint inspections, risk assessments and clearance inspections in accordance with applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Guidelines, U. S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, and the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Maintains technical and program documents and files related to all completed projects, as required by federal, state, & local funding regulations.

• Keeps abreast of changes in codes, materials, construction, and inspection methods for application to agency projects.

• Reviews and makes recommendations regarding approval/disapproval of contractor’s request for payments in accordance with agency procedures.

• Proactively provides technical information to owners, contractors, architects, and the public in a professional, courteous, and timely manner.

• Makes recommendations to supervisor regarding contractor participation and disciplinary action to be taken against contractors for non-compliance issues.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:                                               

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Intellectual

• Problem Solving - Develops alternative solutions.
• Project Management - Coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress.
• Technical Skills - Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively.

Leadership

• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Organization

• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget.
• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

Self-management

• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives.
• Time management-Ability to manage a variety of projects and ensure they are progressing in a reasonable manner.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Quantity - Completes work in timely manner.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures.
• Adaptability - Manages competing demands.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments.
• Innovation - Meets challenges with resourcefulness.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• General knowledge of building trades, construction practices and design and performance of mechanical, sanitary and structural systems.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the general construction and subcontract documents, drawings and specifications, construction means, methods and materials.
• Some knowledge of the HUD Housing Quality Standards and applicable local, state, and federal building, fire and safety, property maintenance codes and lead-based paint regulations.
• Some knowledge of and experience with commercial building inspection.
• Experience with residential building inspection, multifamily experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of inspection procedures for existing structures to identify code deficiencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of construction cost control and basic accounting procedures.
• Sound judgment and ability to make firm, impartial decisions; ability to develop creative solutions to on-the-job problems.
• Self-motivated worker with strong time management capabilities.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Thorough knowledge and understanding of the general construction and subcontract documents, drawings and specifications, construction means, methods and materials. Four (4) years of experience performing technical field inspections of construction projects to assure contractors adherence to contract requirements, plans and specifications, including one year of at the full performance level, or, any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience that has included with the completion of at least five years of hands-on construction experience, with at least two years of experience performing technical field inspections of construction projects to assure contractors adherence to contract requirements, plans and specifications, including one year at the full performance level.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Bi-lingual Spanish and English a plus.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of: Database Software (Access); Internet Software; Spreadsheet Software (Excel); Word Processing Software (Word); and Electronic Mail Software (Outlook). Must be comfortable learning and utilizing new project management programs as needed.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Risk Assessor, or ability to obtain license within six months of employment.
• Trained in the use of an X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer used during lead-based paint inspections, or ability to obtain training within six months of employment.
• Three years’ experience in commercial construction contract administration, cost estimating, code inspections and/or construction management.
• Preference will be given to those individuals that are certified by the International Code Council and/or the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and proof of insurance required

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

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 is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position is predominantly conducted in the field on job sites. Applicant must be self-motivated and have the ability to maintain their own schedule.