Home Inspector Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $64,186.00 - $78,036.00 Annually
Location : Duluth, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: H26063
Department: Fire
Division: Life Safety
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Basic
Probation Period: 12 months
Eligible List Duration: 7 months
Job Posting Information
The City of Duluth Fire Department Life Safety Division is seeking service minded candidates with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently to join our housing inspection team!
As a full-time Housing Inspector, you will be responsible for assisting property owners, managing agents, and tenants through the rental license inspection process and for responding to community inquiries and concerns. Housing inspectors are the primary contact within the department for housing code enforcement needs and questions. Your work is critical in preventing, discovering, investigating, and enforcing housing code to keep our community safe.
Duluth is a four-season city with 11,000 acres of green space alongside the shores of Lake Superior, located just two hours north of the Twin Cities. Voted Outside magazine's Best Town in 2014, Duluth offers adventures such as hiking, skiing, hunting, boating, biking, and much more. Duluth also boasts a vibrant arts culture, home to art museums, performance centers, community and college theater productions, and numerous festivals throughout the year; and competitive sports including nationally ranked collegiate teams.
Job Summary:
Assist owners and tenants, through inspection, consultation, and enforcement, in maintaining their dwellings, premises, non-dwelling structures, and vacant lands in a safe, legal, and sanitary manner.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
1. Inspect dwellings, non-dwelling structures, and vacant lands for compliance with building and fire codes and sanitary and safety standards.
2. Schedule routine inspections of buildings, structures, and premises, and conduct housing condition surveys to determine general condition and compliance with housing codes, building codes, and related ordinances.
3. Notify property owners of code violations and the work necessary to correct them.
4. Check on the work progress of code violation corrections.
5. Issue condemnation notices when necessary.
6. Inspect buildings when violations have been corrected.
7. Investigate, follow up, and respond to complaints from the public.
8. Enforce all applicable codes and ordinances.
9. Coordinate inspection activities as required by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and Building Appeal Board.
10. Consult with other agencies as necessary for the enforcement of applicable ordinances and regulations relating to building, housing, and zoning.
11. Write and process criminal and administrative citations and associated documentation.
12. Collect and organize evidence of violation and complete charge sheets for the City Attorney as appropriate.
13. Serve as a witness in court cases when required.
14. Maintain complete and accurate records of all inspections and daily records of all activities; and prepare information for monthly reports.
15. Interpret all relevant statutes, codes, and ordinances governing residential and commercial properties in order to inform property owners, contractors, building managers, tenants, and others of compliance regulations.
16. Assist owners, contractors, and others in processing and acquiring City permits.
17. Search files for zoning, permit, and building history information.
18. Utilize computer systems and associated software.
19. Be an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines.
20. Other duties may be assigned.
Job Requirements
Education & Experience Requirements
A. Completion of a recognized certification program in code enforcement, property management, property rehabilitation or one (1) year of field experience inspecting structures and dwellings; or an acceptable combination of related education and experience equaling one (1) year.
License Requirements
A. A driver's license valid in Minnesota.
B. Acquire and maintain International Property Maintenance Certification within one year of employment.
Selection Process Information
Education/Experience Review (100% of scoring process; 70 pass point): Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be rated based on the type (relatedness) and extent of their education and experience as documented on their application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass this exam will have their names placed on an eligible list for this classification.
Non-Discrimination
The City of Duluth is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Alternative Exam Process (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
For individuals who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alternative examination processes are available on an individual basis upon prior arrangement. Contact Human Resources at 218-730-5210, as soon as possible prior to the scheduled date of the exam. TDD services are available through 218-730-5630.
Work Eligibility
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Duluth requires verification of identity and work eligibility at the point of hire.
Right to Appeal (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
Any applicant who has been found qualified to participate in a selection process for a position in the classified service who has reason to contest the validity or fairness of any step in the selection process may appeal to the Civil Service Board within 10 calendar days of the examination. (If the examination is an Education & Experience Review, the applicant must appeal within 10 calendar days of the closing date for accepting applications.) The notice of appeal shall be in writing, shall contain a complete statement of the matter in controversy and the relief requested, and shall be signed and dated by the appellant. The notice shall be addressed to the Civil Service Board and be delivered to the Human Resources Office. If an applicant wishes to file an appeal electronically, the notice should be sent by email to .
VETERANS PREFERENCE
Does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, seasonal, temporary, or part-time non-union selections
To apply for Veterans Preference, the applicant must attach the required documents when submitting their application.

• Scan and combine all documents into one file before uploading it to the Attachments section of the application.
• Submitting this information is optional, but preference points cannot be awarded without it.
• Points are only awarded if the applicant passes all exams and submits all required documents to Human Resources.

OPEN SELECTIONS
Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge.

Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Spouse of Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• Marriage certificate;
• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must currently be married to the veteran;
• The veteran must meet the minimum qualifications for the position but be unable to use the preference because of a service-connected disability. The applicant must explain this in their response to the related question in the Agency Questions section of the application.

Spouse of Deceased Veteran
Required Documents:

• Marriage certificate;
• Death certificate;
• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must not have remarried;
• The veteran must have died during active duty or as a result of an injury received during active duty.

PROMOTIONAL OR INTERNAL SELECTIONS
Points are only awarded to Disabled Veteran's score one time, on first promotional or internal only selection process after securing City employment.
Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Please refer to for additional information about Veterans' Preference.
Eligible City of Duluth employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Training and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.
01
Please describe below how you meet the minimum requirements for this position:

• Completion of a recognized certification program in code enforcement, property management, property rehabilitation or;
• One year of field experience inspecting structures and dwellings; or
• Combination of related education and experience equaling one year.

02
Describe your experience presenting difficult information to a customer or client.
03
Describe your experience with and also how you would approach interpreting statutes, codes, and ordinances governing residential and commercial properties and informing property owners, contractors, building managers, tenants, and others of compliance requirements.
04
Describe your experience researching, collecting, and organizing information.
05
Describe how you would help a coworker with learning a new task or solving a problem.
Required Question