Inspector

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
• Evaluate projects to determine compliance with technical specifications.
• Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
• Inspect industrial or commercial equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
• Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
• Test air quality at work sites.
• Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
• Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
• Record operational or environmental data.

Typical Working Conditions:

• Having telephone conversations.
• Working outdoors exposed to weather.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Dealing with external customers.
• Working in extremely bright or not enough lighting.
• Exposure to high places.

Tools & Technology used by Inspectors

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Inspectors

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Inspectors

• Building and Construction—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—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.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology—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—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Public Safety and Security—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.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Clerical—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.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 1,629 new Construction and Building Inspectors to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least a high school degree, but most professionals have an Associates or Bachelors degree. This career does require a state license, as well as licenses for some specific home features, like wells or asbestos.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Business Computer Applications
• Business Law
• Cultural/Ethnic Studies
• Economics
• Geography
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Project Management
• Public Speaking
• Technical Writing
• U.S. Government
• World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise