Chief Building Inspector/Bylaw Enforcement Officer

GREAT PEOPLE BUILDING A GREAT TOWN

Town of Quispamsis is a friendly, growing community of 16,000. If you want to work in a dynamic, fast paced, progressive and changing environment, then join our team as Chief Building Inspector/Bylaw Enforcement Officer.

As the Chief Building Inspector/Bylaw Enforcement Officer you must have thorough knowledge of National Building Codes and Regulations and progressive experience in building code enforcement. Courses towards or completion of certification from the New Brunswick Building Official Association would be a definite asset. Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will supervise staff and be responsible for ensuring that all buildings in the Town of Quispamsis are in compliance with all relevant Federal, Provincial, Local Codes and By-Laws. This position is also responsible for enforcing municipal by-laws, including animal control and providing public education and awareness programs to ensure the protection of residents, property and employees.

This is a full time permanent employment opportunity with benefits and a salary that will commensurate with experience.
We are looking for someone who has working knowledge of land use and development, strong technical, analytical, multi-tasking and prioritizing skills; demonstrated attention to detail; are able to work independently; maintains high standards of professionalism, a positive work ethic, effective relationships and can be part of a team. As an ideal candidate, you are a graduate from a Civil or Municipal Engineering Technology or university Civil Engineering Program and are eligible for membership in APEGNB or NBSCETT; four years or more of direct experience in enforcement of the building code, municipal engineering, public works and subdivision inspection and have a valid motor vehicle drivers license and a clear criminal check.

If you are interested in this permanent employment opportunity with benefits and a salary that will commensurate with experience, please submit your resume with 3 references, a cover letter and Town Application Form by March 23, 2011.
Town of Quispamsis
P.O. Box 21085 Quispamsis, NB E2E 4Z4
Attn: Human Resources Director Fax 506-849-5799 Email: dfracchia@quispamsis.ca

For further information on our Town and an application, visit www.quispamsis.ca.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Mike Holmes Building Permits

As published by NB Publishing Times Transcript on February 10,2011

You've heard me rant for a few years now about why you need a building permit for work you're having done at your house. But from the mail I'm still getting, it looks as though the message isn't getting through.
Many homeowners are too willing to believe it when their contractors tell them a permit isn't necessary for certain jobs they are having done. They either think it's going to be an extra hassle or an additional expense. What I hear most often is that they think a permit is "just a cash grab" and they want to keep their renovations off the record so their taxes don't go up, because they've improved their properties' value by doing a renovation.
Sorry folks, that's just not smart.
A building permit is your protection. It's your guarantee that the job is safe, and has been done at least to minimum code. If a building inspector from your municipality inspects and signs off on your building project, that means it is safe and legal. Those approvals go on the record for the future life of your home - and that's important for when you need to insure your home, or if you decide to sell.
A building inspector is not a home inspector. He - or she - works for the municipality that issues permits. You don't her, as you do a home inspector. At each critical stage of construction, a representative of the municipality should inspect your home. That's the law; it's not an option. The inspector might have to come to your job a few times; it all depends on how complex your renovation is. If it's a simple job, there may only be one inspection required.
For example they'll need to come and inspect footings before the concrete and foundations are poured. They'll inspect framing on completion and once insulation (and vapour barrier, if you use batt) is complete. And there are final inspections. Plumbing and HVAC might require several inspections each, and electrical also needs to be inspected separately.
Most of these inspections are done to verify construction quality and code compliance before it's all covered over by finished walls and floors. There's a record on file that the building is safely and properly constructed - and that's important for your peace of mind, as well as for banks, appraisers and insurance companies who may need to know this information in the future.
Good building inspectors have a lot of experience and are required to stay up to date on new technology and developments in the industry. Their job is to promote and maintain building safety and efficient construction.
Building code changes as building science evolves, and as safety issues arise. Building codes are reactive. They only come into existence as a response to a problem - usually a death.
For example, if someone is hurt or killed as a result of home construction, then an amendment to code is made, such as railings around balconies not being climbable. There should be no way for a child, for example, to use decorative trim or accents to climb up and fall over.
Code provide a set of rules and of safeguards to be used in building your home so no one living in it, or visiting it, is injured as a result of how it's constructed. These rules cover building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency. It's common sense.
The building inspector examines buildings to make sure they conform with code, and that they meet the minimum levels of safety and quality required for a building to be code-compliant.
Notice I said "minimum" levels. I'm always complaining about minimum code. That's not because I don't believe in codes; building code is law. It's because I think we need to build above minimum code.
If we set the bar higher, and build above minimum standards, we can have a high-performance building envelope. We will save on fuel. Our houses will last longer.
We can do better when we build. We can set standards for ourselves that are above minimum code. We can demand more and expect better. But in the meantime, at the very least, you need to make sure your house is built as well as it can be, that it's inspected, and that you get the proper permits.
* Catch Mike in his new series, Holmes Inspection, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. AT on HGTV. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.