John Taylor Jr Email & Phone Number

I grew up in a construction family, and I have always had a love for building. Two of the critical lessons I learned early on is that it pays to do things right the first time and if you don’t succeed at something you learn from it. These lessons have served me well in my 20 plus years as a building inspector.One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of building inspection is that it isn't the same day to day. Every structure is different; there are changes and innovations to construction methods, codes and ordinances—standards are a constantly moving target. I take pride in continuing to build on my expertise and serve as a subject matter expert on all City, State, and Federal Zoning and Housing Ordinances, Codes, and Regulations for new and existing commercial and residential buildings. An essential part of my role is working with other city officials, contractors, and the public. In these instances, I serve as a translator and educator. Building plans, zoning, codes, and ordinances are complex topics. I have a very clear communication style that helps me interpret documents in a way that is easy for others to understand. When contractors or citizens present issues or complaints, my calm demeanor allows me to diffuse the situation and bring people together to find a solution. Supporting collaboration and building consensus is a natural strength. Operating during the pandemic posed unique challenges for building inspectors. My ability to problem solve, multi-task, and be resourceful helped me find ways to navigate the situation and complete inspections as planned.Even when not at work, I make myself available if situations arise that need my immediate attention. I am committed to the City of Johnston and the community.International Code Council Certifications• Building Official• Building Inspector• Residential & Commercial Electrical Inspector• Residential Plumbing Inspector Member International Code Council.State of Iowa Firefighter II Certification.

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  Building Inspector Ii

  City Of Johnston, Iowa

  Aug 1998 - Present - Johnston, Iowa, United States

  ACHIEVEMENTS• Improved how inspections are performed and reduced time per review by updating/improving the building ordinances.• Increased city revenue by raising the building and trade fees to reflect time spent on permits from plan review to inspections.• Updated valuation tables with higher valuation totals to reflect current building costs.• Introduced new fees for rental ordinances to reflect state requirements, increased revenue, and appropriately covered costs associated with program inception and implementation.• Performed building inspections that exceeded the daily average of 16 due to the large number of permit applications in the first 2 years of employment. • Save time and reinspects by designing a homeowner's electrical test to educate permit applicants and help them determine if hiring a licensed electrician would be required.• Conduct plan reviews on incoming permits. Examine plans and specifications of new construction, additions, and alterations to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to determine compliance with the provisions of applicable construction codes, ordinances, and regulations.• Examine submitted construction plans and drawings, engineer reports, and other technical data for compliance with current building codes, ordinances, and other regulations.• Inspect commercial, industrial, and residential new construction and existing structures during construction and renovation to ensure compliance with applicable city, state, and federal building codes, ordinances, and regulations.• Improve customer service by conducting inspections and investigations on repeated failures, gather feedback, and provide information for future updates and education.• Research citizen complaints to determine general condition and compliance of dwellings, accessory structures, buildings, vacant land, and ensure other property features comply with Property, Rental, Housing, and Zoning Codes.• Serve as a mentor and trainer for new staff.