Before earning his ICC Certification, Israel Hernandez worked in maintenance for his local tribal housing authority on the Cheyenne River Reservation. His day-to-day work was focused on basic repairs—changing out broken items, fixing what he could see. But he didn’t yet have the tools or training to fully assess the structural integrity of homes in his community.
That all changed when he joined the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition’s Workforce Development Program.
Like many tribal communities across South Dakota, Israel’s reservation has not adopted building codes—and most inspectors are not formally certified. The Coalition set out to close that gap by increasing access to International Code Council-certified training for tribal housing staff and Individuals working within tribal communities.
Israel was one of many Native professionals invited to participate in a 3–4 day intensive certification course. The impact of the training was far deeper than just technical knowledge.

“It was invigorating to see other working Natives in other communities,” Israel said. “It changed the way I look at networking and organizing. I didn’t have those skills before training with you guys. It changed everything—from being just a worker to becoming a leader in my community.”

Israel earned Property Maintenance and Energy Conservation certifications, transforming his role from general maintenance worker to full-time certified inspector. Now, he leads the inspection process for his tribe’s Homeowner Assistance Fund, conducting full property evaluations and creating detailed scopes of work, material estimates, and inspection phases for contracting.

“I don’t even drive the same vehicle anymore,” Israel shared. “I have an office, a laptop—everything’s changed. I’m no longer doing maintenance. I’m the inspector. And I didn’t apply for this job—it was given to me because my community needed it.”

The support Israel received through the Coalition’s training program was critical. Weeks before the training, he was provided study materials, flashcards, and guides that exposed him to new terminology and technical concepts. In the classroom, an ICC-certified instructor provided real-time exam guidance, coaching participants on how to navigate the codebook during the open-book exam.

““If I didn’t have that instructor, I would’ve been paying attention to the wrong things. The instructor taught me how to use the book like a tool. That was the game changer.”

Israel now uses that knowledge daily—not just for inspections, but to advise community members, plan energy-efficient greenhouses, and guide tribal housing projects. His expertise saves the tribe money, protects families from health hazards like lead and carbon monoxide poisoning, and ensures construction quality meets international standards.

“Now, I’m using the codes to make decisions backed by regulation. I’m not guessing. I have the knowledge, and I can help others make safer, smarter choices.”

Israel also attended the International Code Council’s national conference in Long Beach, California—an experience that expanded his vision beyond the reservation.

“I met the incoming ICC president. I was there when they launched the Native American Code Officials Tribal Chapter. I’m thinking big now—intertribal, national. I want to help my tribe adopt ICC Building Codes. We need checks and balances to protect our people.”

Perhaps most powerfully, Israel has become a visible example to others—his children, high school students, and community members who now come to him for guidance and advice.

“I was able to show students how to study. I brought my certification home, and they brought home their diplomas. That’s the most rewarding part—being an example.”

Israel’s long-term goal is to help his tribe pursue larger-scale development—hotels, greenhouses, agricultural projects—and become a tribal building official. With ICC certification as his foundation, he now has the confidence and credibility to lead.

“This isn’t just about inspections. It’s about survival. Our winters are deadly, our summers harsh. With this training, I can help protect my people.”

And his message to others thinking about joining the program?

“You’ve got to make a personal commitment. Show up for yourself. Study hard. This is how we warrior up today—through knowledge. Don’t be afraid to change. This program changed my life, and it can change yours too.”

Through programs like the ICC Certification Training, the Coalition continues to support tribal professionals like Israel—individuals whose commitment is helping build safer homes, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future for Native families.