Environmental Inspector

Job Summary

Under general supervision, performs technical work inspecting local construction projects to ensure compliance with County and State codes and regulations regarding erosion control and stormwater maintenance. Work includes inspecting construction projects to ensure that materials and methods meet County, State, and Federal specifications; and investigating construction activities, and recommending changes when necessary. Employee is responsible for preparing a variety of reports on construction projects.

• Inspects construction projects to enforce County ordinances governing the requirements of erosion control, stormwater management, Chesapeake Bay, and related minimum codes and regulations.
• Examines construction methods and materials used to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations; ensures adherence to approved plans, materials, and specifications; prepares inspection reports.
• Reviews and examines plans, specifications, contract documents, and drawings for code compliance; communicates with contractors, property owners, architects, engineers, and the general public to explain codes and regulations.
• Performs technical work inspecting local construction projects to ensure quality control, environmental protection, and life‑safety rules are enforced; investigates all complaints, creates legal documents such as notices of violation, follows up on inspections and site visits for compliance and court appearances when required.
• Enforces fieldwork, reviews construction plans, and keeps accurate files.
• Communicates daily with the public, contractors, engineers, VDOT, DEQ, and other State and Federal agencies.
• Attends residential pre‑construction and/or plan review meetings.
• Sets up and maintains a variety of records and files.
• Prepares inspection and notice of violation reports.
• Assists with building inspections as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

High School Diploma or equivalent, and one (1) to two (2) years of experience in construction site inspections; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

State DEQ Dual Inspector (Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater) certification preferred or must be obtained within one (1) year of employment.

Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Knowledge of modern construction practices, materials, and equipment, and the various stages of construction when violations and defects should be observed and corrected.
• Knowledge of State and local erosion ordinances and codes.
• Knowledge of County geography.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, diagrams, specifications, codes, and building regulations.
• Ability to extract water samples on construction locations for bacteriological testing.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and firmness in dealing with contractors, property owners, and the general public.
• Ability to physically maneuver on scaffolds, structural members, and in cramped quarters to accomplish thorough inspections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondence and reports, architectural drawings, inspection slips, blueprints, inspection requests, etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and reports, logs, etc., using a prescribed format.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain…