Hands-on experience key for Jeff Finch earning building plans examiner certification
Building and pride in his work have always been important to Jeff Finch. “I was part of the construction business for 17 years until the 2008 bubble,” said Finch, building inspector II for the city of Olympia, Washington. “Back when I was a young carpenter, I used to sign every set of stairs I built, kind of like an artist signs a painting.”
Since then, Finch has been building toward earning a Certified Building Official (CBO) certification and recently advanced toward his goal by earning the International Code Council’s Building Plans Examiner certification. Finch already is ICC certified as a residential electric inspector, residential building inspector, property maintenance inspector, residential plumbing inspector and commercial building inspector. “The Building Plans Examiner test was one of the more difficult ones I have taken; it took some discipline to pass,” Finch recalled. “But that’s not to say that any of them were easy. I think ICC does a great job of making sure that people who are accredited by them are competent and detail-oriented in that field on inspection/review.”
His boss recently made that task easier by assigning plan reviews. “I think this is the best way to learn because you are applying the code to actual projects and that helps you learn to use the codebooks more efficiently. I also studied in the evenings and used some study guides.”
Finch said he’s only been in the industry about seven years, having weathered the recession until he was hired by the water department in Spring Hill, Kansas. “I saw an opportunity to get back to something I loved to do thorough inspections. So, I was lucky enough to land the code enforcement position there, and I have never looked back.”
Finch became the building inspector for the town just outside of Kansas City, doing up to 20 inspections each day in about nine different subdivisions, along with infill and remodeling projects. After a few years with Spring Hill, he became an inspector for Johnson County, where he was able to work for Anoush Fardipour, a building official whom he admired. “Anoush is the smartest man I have ever known, the kind of guy who can quote the code verbatim and tell you what page and paragraph to find the information,” Finch acknowledged. “I grew exponentially as an inspector under his tutelage and other code officials like Jim Sherman and C.L. Huggins at the county.”
But Finch knew if he wanted to continue to grow as a code official, he had to see a more diverse set of inspection opportunities. He eyed the Pacific Northwest, believing the area was the leader nationwide in the newest building technologies, including heavy timber, mass timber and lightweight wood frame construction. “Energy code and land use out here sets the standard for the rest of the industry to follow. It has turned out to be exactly the experience I was looking for, and I couldn’t be happier about the decision. In addition to the inspection opportunities out here, I also have been lucky enough to be a part of a great team. My building official Erik Jensen and supervisor Don Dutcher have been excellent mentors and have encouraged me to keep learning and improving.”
Finch said his next certification goal is accessibility, and then move toward the CBO certification. “I hope to serve as building official for some jurisdiction in the future but being a part of a team like this is the dream of every inspector; a team that is constantly talking and discussing codes, looking for interpretations and guidance. I am lucky. I get to come to work every day!”
The Code Council Assessment Center is your one-stop shop to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether it’s obtaining certification, scheduling an exam, or learning about the different exams available, our Assessment and Test Development teams are here to help empower you. The Code Council maintains one of the most historic and prestigious credentialing programs for construction codes and standards. We are committed to upholding the highest standard through continuous review and partnership with experienced professionals. Code Council credentials are a great way to take your career to the next level. Building departments, state and provincial agencies, and third-party entities around the world recognize Code Council certification as the single most significant codes and standards credentials that building professionals can attain. Start your path to career advancement at the Assessment Center today.
