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47-4011.00 - Construction and Building Inspectors


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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
101,200
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
109,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
+8,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+8%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.
  • Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.
  • Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
  • Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
  • Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
  • Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Train, direct, or supervise other construction inspectors.
  • Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.
  • Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
  • Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
Supplemental
  • Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
  • Conduct environmental hazard inspections to identify or quantify problems, such as asbestos, poor air quality, water contamination, or other environmental hazards.
  • Evaluate project details to ensure adherence to environmental regulations.
  • Inspect facilities or installations to determine their environmental impact.
  • Monitor construction activities to ensure that environmental regulations are not violated.
  • Sample and test air to identify gasses, such as bromine, ozone, or sulfur dioxide, or particulates, such as mold, dust, or allergens.
  • Examine lifting or conveying devices, such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, hoists, inclined railways, ski lifts, or amusement rides to ensure safety and proper functioning.
  • Estimate cost of completed work or of needed renovations or upgrades.
  • Evaluate premises for cleanliness, such as proper garbage disposal or lack of vermin infestation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Building and Construction
  • 85%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 80%
    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
  • 74%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 71%
    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.
 Design
  • 70%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 English Language
  • 68%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 68%
    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.
 Administration and Management
  • 67%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Mechanical
  • 66%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Law and Government
  • 65%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 63%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Education and Training
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Clerical
  • 61%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Calculating machines and accessories
  • 10-key calculators
  • Programmable calculators
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
 Sampling equipment
  • Air sampling devices
  • Air sampling pumps
 Liquid and gas flow measuring and observing instruments
  • Air velocity and temperature meters
  • Airflow meters
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Arc receptacle testers
  • Circuit analyzers
  • Clamp-on multimeters
  • Continuity testers
  • Digital multimeters
  • Electrical circuit testers
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI testers
  • Ground resistance testers
  • Insulation testers
  • Megohmeters
  • Microwave leakage detectors
  • Multimeters
  • Volt-ammeters
  • Voltage testers
 Drafting supplies
  • Architects' scales
  • Drafting tools
  • Engineering scales
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Asphalt thermometers
  • Handheld thermometers
  • Infrared thermometer lasers
  • Non-contact infrared thermometers
  • Refrigeration thermometers
  • Surface thermometers
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Automatic levels
  • Electronic levels
  • Inspection mirrors
  • Levels
  • Lock levels
  • Optical levels
  • Plumb bobs
  • Stud locators
  • Tape measures
 Agriculture, forestry and garden handtools
  • Axes
  • Shovels
 Viewing and observing instruments and accessories
  • Borescopes
 Gas analyzers and monitors
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Chlorine meters
  • Radon detection devices
 Surveillance and detection equipment
  • Combustible gas detectors
  • Gas leak detection devices
 Computer data input devices
  • Computerized data collectors
  • Optical scanners
  • Scanners
  • Wearable mobile inspection computers
 Metals and metallurgy and structural materials testing instruments
  • Concrete strength measurers
  • Concrete testers
  • Vibration meters
 Electrochemical measuring instruments and accessories
  • Conductivity meters
  • Dissolved oxygen meters
  • pH meters
 Power tools
  • Cordless drills
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Pocket personal computers PC
  • Tablet computers
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
  • Video inspection cameras
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Distance measuring wheels
  • Electronic distance measuring equipment
  • Laser measuring devices
  • Map wheels
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Force gauges
  • Magnetic locators
  • Probe rods
  • Refrigerant leak detectors
  • Torque meters
  • Transit levels
  • Ultrasonic leak detectors
 Chemical evaluation instruments and supplies
  • Hydrometers
 Humidity and moisture measuring instruments
  • Hygrometers
  • Moisture meters
  • Temperature/humidity testers
 Microfilm equipment and supplies
  • Laser fiches
 Computer printers
  • Laser printers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Light meters
 Fluid mechanics equipment
  • Manometers
 Pressure measuring and control instruments
  • Pounds per square inch PSI test gauges
  • Pressure gauges
  • Water pressure gauges
 Electronic and communication measuring and testing instruments
  • Power analyzer dataloggers
 Spectroscopic equipment
  • Spectrometers
 Land surveying instruments
  • Theodolites
 Personal communication devices
  • Two way radios
 Non destructive examination equipment
  • Ultrasonic thickness gauges
 Liquid and solid and elemental analyzers
  • Water quality test kits
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • Arc Second PocketCADHOT
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Automated permit system software
  • NorthWest Builders Network Plan Analyst
  • OptaSoft Commercial Building Inspector
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Inspection Depot Home Guide System
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • New construction inspection form software
  • Residential home inspection form software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software
 Data management and query software
  • Database software
  • Mobile building inspection software
  • Real estate and tax software
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Trimble Digital Fieldbook
 Network applications software
  • Internet browser software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Intuit Quicken
  • Municipal geographic management softwareHOT
  • SAPHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Systems
  • Vision Software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Unknown
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Virginia Western Community College
 Programs