Plumbing inspectors can work in safety inspection, product development, or teaching. They ensure jobs are completed correctly and safely, review new product designs, and teach plumbing courses. Most have limited career advancement opportunities, but skills are transferable. They need mechanical skills, attention to detail, and spatial skills. Salaries are typically high.
There are three different types of plumbing inspector jobs: standard safety inspection, product development inspection, and teaching. Plumbing inspectors are all fully licensed plumbers who have completed additional training to become inspectors. This role is found in a wide range of industries, from government security agencies to construction.
The most common of all plumbing inspector jobs is the safety inspector. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the job was completed correctly, with no loose connections or overloaded pipes. Government agencies at the municipal level are the most common employer for these types of jobs. There are laws in every state regarding the exact type of plumbing work that requires inspection and the inspector’s responsibilities. These jobs are usually focused on residential or commercial properties.
Plumbing inspector jobs are also available in product development and manufacturing companies. Designers need the inspector to review the design and model of any new product that is transporting liquid from one place to another. This is very common in manufacturing. It may not be related to plumbing in buildings, but to cooling systems for large production machines or related systems. He or she is responsible for examining the safety, efficiency, and potential cost savings of the new design.
Plumbing inspectors may also work as instructors in the local community or at career colleges, teaching courses for plumbing and other skilled trades. To become an effective instructor, many artisans complete an adult education certificate program. Learning the most effective way to teach adults can be a huge help when making this career transition.
People who report the most satisfaction in plumbing inspector jobs enjoy solving problems, holding people accountable for their work product, and working independently. The level of available positions varies by industry and company size. While there are typically managerial positions available for plumbing inspectors within a safety agency, there are very limited management positions available in the industry.
Most plumbing inspectors have a limited number of career advancement opportunities available to them. Regardless of the industry where initial experience is gained, all skills are transferable to other areas of plumbing inspection. To increase their salary and level of responsibility, many people move to different industries. Government jobs are generally stable, but they don’t pay as well as corporate jobs.
Plumbing inspectors work with their hands, are usually mechanically inclined, and have a good eye for detail, blueprint reading skills, and excellent spatial skills. Most positions in this field are well paid, due to the level of skill and knowledge required. Keeping safety standards high and ensuring compliance is a very important job. Some inspectors identify areas of weakness or loopholes in the law and work with law enforcement and other professionals to correct these problems.
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