Salary : $62,587.20 - $118,144.00 Annually
Location : Public Services Building; 1150 Half Day Rd.; Highland Park, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-21
Department: Community Development
Division: Building Division - Inspectors
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description of Primary Purpose

The City of Highland Park is seeking qualified candidates for a Building Inspector I or Building Inspector II position within the Community Development Department. The position may be filled at either level based on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications and certifications. Generally, candidates with 3-5 years of relevant inspection or equivalent construction-related experience may qualify for the Building Inspector I level, while candidates with 5-8 years of relevant experience and applicable ICC certifications may qualify for the Building Inspector II level. Candidates are encouraged to review the experience and certification requirements below for additional details.

Department: Community Development

Reports To: Senior Inspector

Primary Purpose: Conduct field inspections of construction sites and manages permit related correspondence and customer service coordination.

Supervision Received: Direct supervision from the Senior Inspector and general supervision from the Building Division Manager and Senior Management.

Inspector I - Pay Grade 10
Hiring Range: $30.09 ($62,587) to $37.61 ($78,228) mid-point dependent on qualification.
Max of Range: $45.14 ($93,891)

Inspector II - Pay Grade 12
Hiring Range: $37.87 ($78,769) to $47.34 ($98,467) mid-point dependent on qualification.
Max of Range: $56.80 ($118,144)

IMRF Pension Eligible Position
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Applies knowledge of development codes and related laws to perform field inspections of all types of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to ensure compliance with adopted International Building Codes as amended. Detects structural, mechanical and other compliance matters, and appraises the sufficiency of design, construction and physical depreciation. Inspects projects in the process of construction, alteration or repair for compliance with building and mechanical codes, zoning requirements and conformity with approved plans, including design review approvals. May also be assigned enforcement of other local codes as needed. Makes written records of field inspections results together with notes on any action taken. Prepares and maintains records and writes letters and reports regarding inspections and enforcement actions.

Meets and corresponds with architects, contractors, property owners and residents regarding the details of construction projects, compliance with relevant codes, plans and approvals, and the timing of work. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with architects, building owners, contractors, fellow employees and the general public. Addresses customer complaints, provides code information and explains departmental policies and functions. Coordinates inspection related work with customers, outside consultants and other City Departments and Divisions including Public Works Dept., Fire Dept., Finance Dept., Com Dev. - Planning Div., and Business Development Div. as appropriate.

Prepares for and represents the City at administrative hearings related to Community Development related enforcement actions. Attends meetings, conferences and seminars related to building code and enforcement matters to obtain and/or maintain certifications.

Provides emergency inspections from time-to-time and provides inspection support during emergency situations. Conducts special event inspections from time-to-time.

Performs other related work as assigned.
Education and Experience

Required Minimum Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be willing and able to perform all essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Graduation from a four-year high school or GED

Experience:

Building Inspector I - 3 to 5 years of experience as an inspector or an equivalent combination of educational certification, training and experience in commercial and residential construction practices and procedures.

Building Inspector II - 5 to 8 years of experience as an inspector or an equivalent combination of educational certification, training and experience in commercial and residential construction practices and procedures.

Certification or license:
Valid Driver's License required.

Building Inspector I - International Code Council (ICC) certifications in Residential Inspection and Commercial Inspection, Residential and Commercial Energy Code within 24 months of hire. Maintain and obtain additional certifications as part of on-going professional development.

Building Inspector II - Relevant International Code Council certifications.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies: Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal code enforcement and methods for conducting in-field site inspections to ensure compliance with building and related codes. Strong written, oral communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide audience of people from residents to industry professionals and interdepartmental staff. Ability and willingness to learn municipal code requirements. Willingness and ability to consistently provide a high level of customer service to the public through tactful but firm facilitation of code compliance as necessary. Knowledge of how to enter and retrieve information from database systems and how to use standard office productivity software - Windows and MS Office. Performance all work in a professional manner with the highest level of integrity and in accordance with the City's conflict of interest policies and practices.
Supplemental Information
Work Environment: Primary duties involve field inspection of active construction sites including detailed documentation of inspection findings. Time is also spent inside an office environment preforming permit management and record keeping functions. The work environment typifies an active general office and construction site field work. An inspector may be exposed to cold, wet, hot and humid weather conditions. Inspections may be required to be performed in high places and the inspector may experience loud noises comparable to the conditions experienced by a typical building inspector or construction worker.
Tools and Equipment Used: Equipment used includes, but is not limited to: a motor vehicle, a calculator, a copy machine, a fax machine, cellular telephone, computer tablet / laptop, and a digital camera. Performs all functions necessary using computer productivity software and database systems (Microsoft Office Suite and internal database programs Tyler EnerGov & Edens).

Physical Demands: On-the-job time is spent in a variety of physical activities, such as: to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear; to use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate; to climb or balance; to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and to reach with hands and arms. Must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Inspection aspect of the position will require use of ladders, climbing or descending steep slopes, navigating uneven ground, working on a precipice, or functioning in tightly confined places. An inspector may be exposed to cold, wet, hot and humid weather conditions.
Full-time employees are entitled to a host of wide-ranging benefits including:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Programs
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation Time (80.00 hr year one accrual rate)
• Paid Personal Time (40.00 hr annual, prorated in year one)
• Paid Sick Time (96.00 hr year one accrual rate)

01

Please list your current ICC certifications and any other relevant professional certifications or licenses.
02

Please briefly describe your past experience, if any, performing building inspections and code enforcement.
03

Please indicate which position you are applying for (check all that apply).

• Building Inspector I
• Building Inspector II

Required Question