The Environmental Health Services Division is seeking to fill a full-time career service Chief Plumbing Inspector that will lead and manage the Plumbing and Gas Piping Inspection Program as well as perform a range of professional duties relating to residential and commercial plumbing and gas piping matters.

The Plumbing and Gas Piping Inspection Program is an integral part of the Environmental Health Services Division helping promote public health. Our professional staff work to ensure that residents live in a clean and health-promoting environment. Working in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and King County Department of Local Services, our goal is to protect community health through plan review, inspections and enforcing regulations for plumbing and gas piping systems in the City of Seattle and Unincorporated King County. In 2020, the P&G program’s dedicated team of professionals conducted nearly 30,000 inspections and completed over 200 plan reviews.
The P&G program upholds King County’s equity and social justice directive through our commitment to exceptional public service.
 
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION:
Through the work of over 150 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender or economic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.
 
To learn more about EHS, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health.aspx.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx. 

ABOUT THE POSITION:
The primary responsibilities of the Chief Plumbing Inspector include leading and managing the Plumbing and Gas Piping Inspection Program and supervising assigned staff to ensure residential and commercial plumbing and gas piping installations achieve compliance with codes and ordinances protecting public health. This leadership position will report to the Assistant Division Director for the Community Environmental Health Section of Environmental Health and will work closely with the Assistant Chief Plumbing Inspector to provide leadership to the Plumbing and Gas Piping Program. The program currently consists of approximately 15 full-time employees.
 
The incumbent is expected to possess strong leadership qualities, management experience, and knowledge and experience to lead staff in duties such as performing plumbing and gas piping inspections, reviewing plumbing system design plans, and ensuring compliance with codes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The program is presently transitioning many of its processes and functions toward greater use of automated digital systems and technologies. The Chief Plumbing Inspector should have familiarity with automated systems and workplace software.
 
The Chief Plumbing Inspector also implements program activities and priorities outlined by the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan. People with language proficiency in the most populace King County non-English language groups (such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali, Amharic, and Russian) are highly encouraged to apply.
 
The successful candidate will be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan. This position advances Environmental Health Services Division's values for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents.

KEY EXPECTATIONS AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Manage the Plumbing and Gas Piping Inspection Program utilizing high standards, an approach that promotes open communication, and commitment to customer service and King County’s values.
• Provide culturally competent education and technical assistance to industries, facilities, and the public.
• Convey and interpret public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and regulatory information to a variety of diverse audiences.
• Maintain and use program based computerized systems, write and review reports, and maintain accurate records. 
• Oversee public complaints and inquiries on environmental health matters. 
• Maintain timely adoptions for City of Seattle and King County plumbing and fuel gas codes consistent with the Washington State code adoption cycle.  
• Participate in assigned Environmental Health Division meetings and trainings. 
• Make technical and administrative decisions; provide overall leadership for the Plumbing and Gas Piping program.
• Coordinate and collaborate with partner agencies, engage stakeholders, support communication within and outside of the Department. 
• Develop, evaluate, and lead short and long-range program plans, goals, and objectives.
• Ensure agency and division strategic objectives are reflected in program plans and service delivery.
• Oversee program appeals, waivers, or other variances and serve on the King County Plumbing Board of Appeals.
• Present at public forums to provide pertinent code information and department policies and procedures.
• Make final decisions on code interpretation.
• Develop and establish clear roles and responsibilities, work plan objectives, and performance evaluations for assigned employees and work teams. 
• Participate in workforce development planning for program and section; oversee recruitment and onboarding of new staff.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Journeyman plumber from Washington State or another state with equivalent licensing requirements, including designing and performing residential or commercial plumbing installations.
• Skill in coordinating with contractors, engineers, plumbers, architects and homeowners on code and code interpretation, and material and installation standards for plumbing and gas piping.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to assess and resolve situations using a flexible approach.
• Ability to consistently maintain professional composure and tact, patience and courtesy.
• Skill in developing and maintaining an effective, collaborative, and positive staff environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of conflict resolution techniques. 
• Ability to perform work in confidence and under pressure for deadlines.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively in stressful situations. 
• Demonstrated proficiency with business software applications such as Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of plumbing and mechanical trade and construction practices.
• Knowledge of plumbing and mechanical codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of occupational safety hazards and precautions. 
• Demonstrated experience writing, analyzing or reviewing inspection reports.
• Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Demonstrated experience writing, analyzing, or reviewing inspection reports.
• Ability to apply state and local laws related to plumbing, gas piping, energy code, gas appliance installation, and venting and combustion air, cross connection control, medical gas piping, and minimum fixture requirements.
• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints and drawings (drawing plans, isometric drawings, etc.).
• Skill in synthesizing a variety of information and in assessing organizational and political impact. 

• Demonstrated experience successfully serving broadly diverse populations.
• Understanding of equity and social justice principles and how they can be applied internally and in the field.
• Demonstrated experience using web portals, geographic information systems, or other data management software solutions for managing large quantities of information.
• Comfort with learning new digital technologies and engaging with colleagues on efforts to upgrade county and division systems and practices. 
• Demonstrated experience and skill in utilizing concepts of behavioral change to engage external partners and communities with successful outcomes.
• Bilingual in one of the following most populace King County non-English language groups (such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali, Russian, Amharic).
• Professional licensing and certification such as Cross Connection Control certification, Backflow Assembly Tester certification, Medical Gas Install or Inspection certification, or IAPMO Mechanical or Fuel Gas certification.

• Washington State driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Washington State commercial (PL01) journeyman plumber certification or a letter from Washington State Labor and Industries, verifying the approval to perform the Washington State commercial (PL01) plumber certification exam. The incumbent will perform and pass the exam prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period. Please ensure that the Washington State Labor and Industries letter is attached with your application.
• IAPMO Plumbing Inspector certificate or obtain an IAPMO Plumbing Inspector certification prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. 
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office 365) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• This position may require the ability to use appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) based on situational need. 
• This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety physical and weather conditions that may include walking uneven terrain, working around heavy machinery, strong odors, and various types of wastes. 
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.

• The selected candidate is required to take a pre-employment physical. 
• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation. Records are not automatically-disqualifying.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law. 
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required trainings on time.