Authorization to Hire Building Inspectors / Plans Examiners 

The purpose of this case is to authorize hiring Building Inspectors / Plans Examiners in the Community Development Department.

Background:  The City's Building Division currently consists of a Building Official, one Building Inspector, contracted inspections and administrative support. However, the Building Inspector, Mr. David Rankin recently resigned, creating one vacancy.  

With regard to the contracted inspections, the City Council may recall that staff received City Council approval to recruit for a second Building Inspector. Staff conducted a recruitment in February 2022, but that recruitment did not produce a strong enough applicant pool. It was determined at that time to wait a few months and try again later.

With Mr. Rankin's resignation, a recruitment was conducted with much better results.  At this time, staff is recommending two candidates for the position of Building Inspector/Plans Examiner (one to replace Mr. Rankin and one that was not hired in the earlier recruitment). Note that the title of Building Inspector/Plans Examiner is an updated title, but does not change the duties or the pay when compared to the title of Building Inspector.   

Staff interviewed many candidates, including Ms. Trisha Lindahl and Mr. Thomas Knight, both were selected to advance in the recruitment process.  Both candidates are in the process of completing the necessary pre-employment background checks and staff recommends hiring them as full-time City Building Inspectors/Plans Examiners.   At the time of this writing, final pre-employment testing results are pending.  In the event that the results of said testing are not satisfactory, this case will be modified accordingly prior to adoption.  Both candidates will be subject to a 6-month probationary period, the City's Personnel Policy and AFSCME union contract. 
  
The primary objective of this position is to assist the Building Official in ensuring that all new and existing residential and commercial/industrial development in the City complies with all applicable portions of the Minnesota Building Codes and applicable City Codes.  This includes, but is not limited to the following duties:

• Assist the Building Official with the review of building, sewer/septic, mechanical and plumbing permits
• Conduct inspections to ensure applicable code compliance for all new and existing structures
• Collect, record and maintain plan review and inspection records as needed
• Perform administrative code compliance activities with direction from the Building Official
• Perform a wide range of tasks at the verbal or written direction (within the ability and resources of the Building Inspector/Plans Examiner) of the Building Official or Community Development Director or their designee

The City will continue to use a balance of in-house Building Inspectors hired directly by the City and contracted services for overflow inspections, as needed.  The two candidates being presented for hire will need training before becoming proficient in commercial inspections and septic system inspections.

The funding for this change is estimated to be $22,791.  

To hire Hire Ms. Trisha Lindahl, effective on or near August 15, 2022 at $34.752 per hour, which is Step 2 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of one vacation day and to hire Mr. Thomas Knight, effective on or near August 22, 2022 at $39.717 per hour, which is step 5 of the 2022 pay scale.

Motion to hire Hire Ms. Trisha Lindahl, effective on or near August 15, 2022 at $34.752 per hour, which is Step 2 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of one vacation day and to hire Mr. Thomas Knight, effective on or near August 22, 2022 at $39.717 per hour, which is step 5 of the 2022 pay scale.