|
In March, our department became an International Code Council (ICC) Preferred Provider with an inaugural offering of Inspector Skills by Michael Constantino, Development Services Administrator in the Field Services Division. This program recognizes and promotes ICC-approved educational courses offered by a variety of education providers, focusing on the areas of construction codes, standards and guidelines, as well as building construction materials, products and methods.
Through participation in the network, DSD can communicate our programs, services and products to ICC’s broad audience of members and customers. ICC certificate holders can obtain CEUs from Preferred Providers that can be applied toward certification renewal requirements. And, as laid out in the department’s Strategic Training Plan, joining the network is a crucial first step in the department’s goal of creating an ICC chapter for our area. “This is a great opportunity for DSD subject matter experts to share their knowledge of the codes and for staff to received CEUs,” said Charlotte Barrett, Special Projects Manager in the Support Services Division. “Eventually, these experts could train other organizations through a future ICC chapter.”
Being part of the network opens the door for DSD staff like Michael and others to share their knowledge with fellow DSD staff and eventually staff from other building departments. Michael’s Inspector Skills course focuses on raising awareness of the importance of “soft” skills like effective communications and to provide guidance toward recognizing and improving those skills as our staff communicate with builders, contractors, homeowners and the development community at-large. “You can be the greatest technical inspector we have, but without excellent customer service, you will not work out for us, period,” commented Michael. “After this course, you will understand the inspector profession much better, and the role and expectation as a critical partner with our community.”
| 
