Federal, state and local governments
own property including office buildings,
airports, public housing apartments,
and post offices.
Government property inspectors
and investigators
make sure that government-owned properties
meet legal and construction standards,
and that they’re safe for residents
and building tenants.
These inspectors visit properties
and construction sites to document issues
and detail their findings and recommendations.
When misuse of public funds
or other fraudulent activity is in question,
inspectors investigate and report to
law enforcement or other authorities,
and may testify in court.
Government property inspectors
and investigators
also review license or permit applications,
and may request repairs or fixes
based on their findings.
Dealing with customers
is an important part of the job,
and while most interactions may be cordial,
sometimes parties involved in investigations
respond angrily.
There’s a great deal of policy, procedure,
and recordkeeping to this field,
so detail orientation is a must.
A 40-hour work week
with normal office hours
is typical in this field,
including travel to visit building locations
and meet with facilities representatives.
Many government property inspectors
and investigators have a bachelor’s degree,
although typical job requirements include
only technical training
or an associate’s degree.