Residential Rental Inspector

ThePlanning and Community Development Departmentis looking to hire a Residential Rental Inspector who is committed to enhancing housing safety and quality for all residents. If you have experience in home inspections and/or have experience with the process of certifying properties for compliance with local regulations, apply today! We are growing our team, and this position will make a meaningful impact in our community.

This position inspects and monitors market rate and subsidized residential rental dwelling units in accordance with established procedures of the Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program (RR&SIP) and in compliance with the Bellingham Municipal Code and inspection requirements for local, state and federally funded residential dwelling units. Evaluates structural, plumbing, mechanical, and other building systems for compliance with applicable codes and other regulations related to the safety, health and welfare of the residential renting public. Performs a variety of administrative functions including recording inspection results and coordinating with City Building Inspectors and contractors. Technical work includes performing inspections, preparing plans and evaluating cost estimates in the field of property maintenance to ensure compliance with the RR&SIP and other applicable codes and ordinances. Determines and evaluates which rental regulations and building and property codes apply to City-funded housing construction projects and monitors for compliance during and after construction.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

This position will start at Step 1 ($35.61/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $35.61 - $46.46. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 5/15/26 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Administers the residential rental inspection and monitoring functions of the RR&SIP. Prepares notices, responds to and monitors rental registrations under the direction of the Rental Protection Program Specialist, and certifies inspection results in accordance with the Final Inspection Checklist requirements of the RR&SIP. Advises and provides guidance to tenants and property owners and managers to resolve issues and achieve compliance. Answers questions and provides information regarding City codes and ordinances and state and federal requirements, assistance programs, and other rental requirements information.
2. Inspects dwelling units and applies zoning, property maintenance and other applicable codes to determine if the units are consistent with health, welfare, and safety standards. Approves or disapproves property condition or work observed, issues correction notices, and generates inspection records to confirm and document that each aspect of the Final Inspection Checklist complies with applicable codes.
3. Investigates and resolves complaints and reports of code violations or other rental property health, life-safety and nuisance problems. Generates and prepares written and or computer-based records and documentation of inspections and property condition findings. Uses a camera, measuring devices and other tools to note property conditions to substantiate documentation for enforcement action, including court action resulting from ordinance violations and other observations.
4. Conducts Housing Quality Standards Inspections or other current inspection protocol as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and adopted by the City, of units utilized for Tenant Based Rental Assistance prior to occupancy, and annually as necessary.
5. Conducts placed-in-service and annual onsite monitoring based on HUD National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) or other current inspection protocol for City-funded rental and multifamily properties with federal requirements.
6. Conducts monitoring and inspection of City-funded acquisition/rehabilitation or construction of rental or multifamily housing requiring compliance with WA State Evergreen Development Standards and federal Americans with Disability Act / Section 502 standards, when not monitored by a third party. This includes transitional housing, coop/condo ownership or standard rental properties.
7. Coordinates with other jurisdictions and state and federal funding agencies regarding current trends, changes in inspection protocols and federal expectations. Participates on the quarterly statewide Monitoring and Coordination Task Force. Keeps up to date on federal inspection requirements and attends training.
8. Researches, interprets and incorporates information and data necessary to fully inspect and understand new products, materials and regulations encountered in the residential rental inspection process.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Works closely with the Rental Protection Program Specialist and other departmental staff in evaluating the program, determining operational objectives and meeting overall program goals.
2. Offers suggestions, devises solutions, identifies alternatives, and otherwise aides in the efficient, creative, and helpful application of regulatory intent to a variety of problematic circumstances related to the RR&SIP and rental protection.
3. Uses electronic communication systems and automated data management systems as necessary to access, capture and utilize information in the performance of inspection related tasks.
4. Collects and reviews special inspection reports from other agencies including HUD, NW Clean Air Agency and Whatcom County.
5. Conducts pre-construction conferences with parties involved in residential rental dwellings including the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
6. Assists with inspections for interim housing, condos or other types of temporary residential use or owner/community-ownership situations when properties are rehabilitated or built utilizing City funds.
7. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is shared between office and field environments in a frequently stressful atmosphere. Office work is performed at the public counter or in an office setting, using computers, phones and other office equipment. Field work is performed at and around rental properties and rental construction sites in various states of repair and /or cleanliness, where safety practices are always expected. Rental inspection projects frequently require ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding and steep sites. Access to under floor areas and attic spaces require positioning of oneself to inspect at all angles. Lighting may be limited, movement may be restricted, loud noises may be present, and terrain uneven. Sites may be wet and slippery. All weather conditions should be expected. Inspectors should expect to enter and exit their vehicle many times daily. Position may involve transporting paper files, inspection and measurement tools, large rolls of plans, or boxes of records weighing up to approximately 40 pounds.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• transport approximately 40 pounds;
• operate a computer and other standard office equipment-safely move about construction sites and rental properties;
• the ability to remain stationary for periods of time in an office setting, and
• ascending or descending equipment to inspect above ground and below structures.

• High school graduation or equivalency (GED) required.
• Two years’ experience in building construction, general contracting, construction management or repair/weatherization programs required, OR
• One year of experience in coordination of federally funded housing rehabilitation programs AND
• Must secure and maintain an ICC Residential Building Inspector Certification or Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector Certification within one year of hire.
• Experience and/or training as an inspector with a municipality is preferred.
• Experience and/or training in one or more of the following is preferred:
  • Federal Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards (HQS),
  • Uniform Physical Inspection Standards (UPCS), and/or
  • National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE)
• Experience as a qualified Rental Housing Inspector (RHI) preferred.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and child and adult abuse records check(see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of hire.
• Good driving record. Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving record for the past three years.
• Failure to secure required certifications or meet skill standards within established time limits will result in dismissal.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or aroundMay 19, 2026.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or aroundMay 29, 2026.
3. Thetop six (6)scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of June 15, 2026. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following Experience and Training Rating (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Planning and Community Development. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete theVeterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filteredby your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.