Building Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $45,342.00 - $56,678.00 Annually
Location : HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Chattanooga, TN
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number: 05/04/2026 - 1418
Division: PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION
Department: Building Inspection
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
APPLICATIONS WILL BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT AS THEY ARE RECEIVED.
THIS POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.
Under limited supervision, ensures compliance with appropriate construction codes, standards, and regulations through inspections of building projects, including new construction, additions, remodels and repairs and remediation of code violations, and investigates complaints relating to areas of responsibility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)
Tasks
Participates in the direction and supervision of the examination of architectural and engineering documents for new buildings, alterations, renovations, and changes of occupancies. Provides information and technical assistance concerning code requirements; discusses problem areas with architects, design engineers, developers, and property owners; recommends solutions to problems; responds to questions or complaints concerning code violations.
Consults with assigned staff to assist with complex, unusual, or problem situations, provides direction, advice, and technical expertise.
Assists with the examination of the commercial, residential, and subdivision construction plans for life safety issues and building code compliance; issues final approval or required changes; assists with plans examinations as needed.
Coordinates fire protection and plans examination on various projects with the fire department, Hamilton County Fire Marshal's Office, and State Fire Marshall's Office; coordinates building plan examination with other departments as needed; monitors progress of plans under review; ensures a timely response from other departments.
Attends various Board meetings, weekly construction meetings, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate and other meetings as needed.
Conducts research on various related topics as needed.
Oversees the maintenance of logs and records of plan review activities.
Performs inspection activities associated with one or more areas of expertise: general construction, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing; reviews approved plans; ensures various stages of building construction conform to adopted codes and standards; investigates complaints relating code violations.
Maintains appropriate records and documents relating to inspection reports, construction progress information, permits and complaint investigations; participates in the review of building plans; represents Hamilton County in dealing with the contractors, developers, engineers, architects, and the general public on issues relating to areas of responsibility.
Serves as a technical information source for contractors, developers, engineers, architects, and the general public on issues relating to building codes and standards; maintains ongoing contact during the course of construction providing input relative to code compliance. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Performs various tasks in support of the daily operations of the department; ensures plans are filed/archived following review; ensures plans are delivered to the Records Management Department; copies and distributes forms, reports, correspondence, and other related materials.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of relevant national or state codes, appendices and standards relating to area of expertise, such as National Electrical Code, International Code Congress.
Knowledge of Hamilton County building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and gas codes, County zoning and subdivision regulations, County policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the fundamental principles of building inspection and the use and function of a variety of hand-tools, measuring and testing devices.
Knowledge of maps, engineering drawings and specifications and related construction documentation.
Skill in reading, interpreting, understanding, and applying Federal rules and regulations, State and Hamilton County Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
Skill in planning, organizing, prioritizing building inspection activities to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, and procedures.
Skill in reading maps, engineering drawings and specifications and related construction documentation and making technical calculations.
Skill in working under pressure of deadlines and in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with the public, department staff, other County departments, other governmental agencies, and elected officials.
Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing and establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with the public, department staff, other County departments and contractors.
Minimum Qualifications
The equivalent of a high school diploma with a minimum of five (5) years of direct work experience in the plumbing field. The incumbent is required to hold a Commercial and Residential Plumbing certification from the International Code Congress (ICC) at the time of application OR be able to obtain within one (1) year of date of hire. A valid driver's license is required.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work requires moderate physical effort with intermittent sitting, standing, walking, and driving. Regular visits to inspection work sites are required and may involve climbing, walking, and/or crawling in awkward positions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.
All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.
All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.
https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Department_EqualEmploymentOpportunityOffice.aspx
Hamilton County Government
Meeting the needs of the people where they live, work, and play!
Hamilton County, Tennessee offers a lower cost of living, ease of getting around, a lively arts tradition, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Working for Hamilton County Government provides many great benefits - take a look at a few of those highlighted below...
On-Site Employee Health Clinic

• No copay to utilize clinic services.
• Clinic services include routine office visits, sick visits, labs, flu shots, and more
• TextCare - Access to care 24/7 via TextCare, which is direct, unlimited access to medical care 24/7 through text message.

(Employee access to the clinic is available from day one. A covered spouse or dependent has access as soon as their health plan coverage is effective. Children age 3 and up who are covered by the County's insurance are eligible to be seen.)

• Telehealth - Two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and a practitioner through telecommunications, which may include audiovisual options.
• One to One Provider Network - Availability to utilize a network of providers that provide a high level of care at a lower copay/cost.
• Health Management Programs - Offered to help employees and their family members in managing the following health conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), and Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• Nutritional guidance - Nutritional education provided to assist in making the appropriate food /health choices.

On-Site Employee Pharmacy

• Low-cost prescriptions available to those covered under the County health plan.
• Over the counter items offered at cost.
• RxLocal App - Mobile app provides a convenient way to stay connected and manage your health. Through the app you can request refills and ask questions.
• On-site Pharmacist available to answer questions and provide information.

Hamilton County Government offers competitive insurance coverage to fulltime employees.
Medical coverage is offered through Cigna to fulltime employees. The County pays a generous portion of the medical premium. Two options are available to choose from: LCP (Local Cost Plus) and OAP (Open Access Plus).

• The LCP has a smaller network that includes most providers and hospitals, with the exception of Parkridge facilities/providers.
• The OAP is a national network of facilities/providers that includes most providers/hospitals, including Parkridge.

Dental coverage is a voluntary benefit available to fulltime employees. Three coverage options are offered: Cigna High Plan, Cigna Low Plan, and Sun Life DHMO.

• The Cigna High Dental Plan covers orthodontia for children up to age 18. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Cigna Low Dental Plan does not cover orthodontia. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Sun Life DHMO plan is a prepaid dental plan that offers benefits through a network of plan dentists. A dental provider must be selected when enrolling and services must be provided by that provider for benefits to apply.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment is provided through Symetra. The County provides $30,000 of Basic Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage at no cost to fulltime employees.
Additional voluntary benefits fulltime employees have access to enroll in are as follows:
-Individual Short-Term Disability (STD) -Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD)
-Flexible Spending Account-Health Care -Flexible Spending Account-Dept. Care
-Flexible Spending Account-Transportation -Accident Insurance
-Critical Illness Insurance -Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hamilton County Government Retirement for Fulltime Employees:
Pension - Legacy Plan (hired prior to 10/1/2015), in which the employer contributes 14.70%.
Pension - Hybrid Plan (hired on or after 10/1/2015), in which the employee contributes 5% and the employer contributes 4%.
401K - Employer contributes 5% and the employee can contribute the amount of their choice.
457b - Employees have the option to contribute to this plan if they choose.
Pre-Retirement Seminar:
Hamilton County Human Resources provides a pre-retirement seminar to those considering retirement, two times per year (1st and 3rd quarter of each year). Seminar topics covered may include:

• Health insurance assistance, Medicare info and counseling.
• Internal steps to take when an employee is ready to retire.
• Estate Planning
• Personal Financial Planning
• TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Revenue Service) - Ham. County Pension
• Deferred Compensation/457 Plan - Nationwide
• Social Security Benefits

Parental Leave:
Hamilton County provides eight (8) weeks of paid maternity leave and two (2) weeks of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child or placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption (age 13 or younger) or foster care.
Paid Time Off:
Hamilton County Government provides generous paid time off (PTO) to fulltime employees from the start of employment.

• Years 1 - 5: an employee will accrue 5.85 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 5 - 10: an employee will accrue 6.77 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 11-15: an employee will accrue 8.31hours of leave, per pay period.
• Year 15 and each year thereafter, an employee will accrue 8.93 hours of leave, per pay period.

At each anniversary, an employee can roll over up to 80 hours of unused PTO into their leave bank. (Up to 800 hours for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013).
Paid Holidays:
Hamilton County Government provides thirteen (13) paid holidays to fulltime employees.
New Year's Day Independence Day
M.L. King's Birthday Labor Day
President's Day Veteran's Day
Good Friday Thanksgiving (2 days)
Memorial Day Christmas (2 days)
Juneteenth
Wellness Facility:
Hamilton County Government provides a 24/7 fitness center, free of charge, to County employees and family members (age 14+) covered under the County's health plan. The fitness center offers cardio and strength-training equipment, along with group exercise classes throughout the year. (which may include Zumba, spin, yoga, etc.)
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To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants must posses...