This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A

Application Opening: April 10, 2024
Application Deadline: April 25, 2024
Recruitment ID: PBT-6246-146633

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

Under general supervision, the Senior Plumbing Inspector provides first-level supervision to a group of plumbing inspectors in the inspection of plumbing installations in commercial buildings, residential buildings, public buildings and other structures to assure compliance with plumbing codes and ordinances; plan check plumbing systems online and over the counter; physically performs inspections or investigations as required; provides written and oral reports as required; train incoming inspectors on existing computer systems and operations; provides training to journey-level plumbing inspectors; responsible for explaining and enforcing existing plumbing codes to departmental staff, construction professionals and the general public; and performs related duties as required.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to 6246 Senior Plumbing Inspector and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1) Supervises the inspection of all plumbing, fire sprinkler systems, low pressure boiler and gas installation, maintenance and repair work to assure compliance with existing plumbing and mechanical codes, laws and ordinances. Inspections are performed in an urban setting with large high-rise buildings (75 feet or more), ballparks, hotels, auditoriums and other similarly large commercial buildings as well as residential dwellings.

2) Supervises and trains plumbing inspectors by introducing them to departmental procedures and working alongside them in the field and in the office to ensure that their inspections and reports are accurate and timely.

3) Issues infraction citations for plumbing code violations.

4) Drives a car to inspection sites, meetings, hearings, emergency activities and other related events.

5) Testifies as an expert witness in court litigation involving plumbing and mechanical code violations.

6) Authorizes abatement orders or emergency orders for correction to be issued; makes inspections, prepares reports and testifies in court on abatement proceedings.

7) Issues reports and conducts follow-up inspections leading to the correction of violations or abatement proceedings.

8) Conducts statistical surveys and provides data regarding code enforcement.

9) Attends meetings, hearings, educational conferences, community activities and other related events as a representative of the Department of Building Inspection.

10) Conducts special investigations and/or inspections of complex projects.

11) Performs related duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

These positions require the ability to work in inclement weather; in some cases to work evenings, weekends and holidays; and possible exposure to hazardous conditions found in and around damaged buildings, structures or construction sites. Also required is the ability to move into and out of buildings, tunnels, ditches and other related areas; to climb or crawl into and out of spaces which must be inspected; and to use ladders, scaffolds and other special equipment. These positions require the operation of a motor vehicle in order to visit inspection sites and to respond in case of emergencies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years experience in the field of plumbing inspection at a level equivalent to job code 6242 Plumbing Inspector for the City and County of San Francisco, in an urban jurisdiction performing complex inspections of high rise buildings, large commercial structures such as hotels, auditoriums, ballparks or other similar structures, and residential dwellings;

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Possession of a valid driver's license. 

VERIFICATION:

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Job-Seekers/How-to-Verify-Education-Requirements.pdf

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) (Weight: Qualifying): Candidates will be prompted to complete a Supplemental Questionnaire as part of the online employment application at a later time. This Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications for this position. Applicants must also complete the official application. It is essential that applicants provide complete information in identifying their education, experience and training. The Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Written Examination (Weight: 100%): 
Candidates will be administered a written multiple-choice examination to determine their relative knowledge, skill and ability level in one or more of the following job related areas as appropriate. These areas may include, but not be limited to: knowledge of plumbing and mechanical system design and installation practices; knowledge of plumbing and mechanical materials and their uses; knowledge of existing ordinances, regulations and code requirements regarding the installation and maintenance of plumbing and mechanical systems; knowledge of modern construction methods and techniques, particularly as applied to plumbing and mechanical phases of construction projects; ability to read and interpret plans and specifications of plumbing and mechanical system installations; ability to effectively apply knowledge of the plumbing codes and construction procedures to inspection practices.

This is a standardized written multiple-choice examination. In accordance with Civil Service Rule 111.11.4, inspection privileges do not apply to the questions and answers in this examination.

The score you achieve on this examination shall be valid and "banked" for three years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year time period, you will not be required to take this test again should you apply and be found eligible for a future announcement for which this particular test is used. If the test for this future announcement is held within 1 year of the date of this examination, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the test. Re-testing is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which this test is used. Please note that, should you re-test, your re-test score would become your official score since it is the most recent (even if it turns out to be lower than your original score).

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of 12 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: 

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.