Building Inspector Government Jobs in California

Salary: $181,195.00 - $236,418.00 Annually
Location : Malibu City Hall, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/27-00093
Department: Community Development Department
Division: Building Safety
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates and provides direction and oversight for the Building Safety and Wastewater Division of the Community Development Department including customer service, wastewater management, processing of applications and issuance of permits and building plan check and inspection; participates in the development of policies and strategies for department operations; manages the effective use of department resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex professional assistance to the Community Development Director and City Council in areas of expertise; performs related duties as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Malibu is seeking a proactive, experienced, and strategic leader to serve as the Building Official within the Community Development Department. This is a highly responsible management-level position that oversees a broad portfolio of essential City services-including building plan check and inspection, permitting, code enforcement, wastewater program compliance, and customer service.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, collaborative professional with a solid technical background in building and environmental regulations, strong project and people management skills, and a passion for service excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to lead transformational improvements that promote safety, sustainability, and quality of life across our growing and diverse community.
The Role
Reporting to the Community Development Director, this position:

• Manages day-to-day operations of the Building Safety and Wastewater Division, including permitting, inspections, wastewater compliance, and service delivery
• Leads development and implementation of division goals, policies, work plans, and performance standards
• Oversees budgets, staffing, and resource allocation; ensures efficient use of personnel and equipment
• Directs and evaluates the work of professional and technical staff; handles recruitment, training, performance management, and discipline
• Reviews and resolves complex building code issues, plan checks, and field inspection matters; acts as a liaison for code interpretation and dispute resolution
• Provides technical guidance to developers, property owners, engineers, and contractors on City regulations and codes
• Manages consultant selection, contract negotiation, and administration for professional services
• Directs environmental compliance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS), including inspections, plan reviews, and investigations
• Coordinates division activities with other departments, government agencies, and the public
• Presents reports and policy recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission, and advisory committees
• Monitors new legislation and industry trends; ensures compliance with evolving regulations

Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
• Assumes management responsibility for the Building Safety and Wastewater Division including building plan check and inspection, permitting, wastewater management and customer service; assists with planning, directing, and coordinating the department's work plan and priorities for assigned programs
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the division; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures
• Assists in managing and participating in the development and administration of the department's budget; assists with the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; assists with monitoring and approving expenditures; oversees and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award
• Ensures City compliance with building criteria; resolves interpretation issues related to building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes; develops and maintains standards for construction methods and materials; oversees the inspection of all public and private buildings for compliance with existing codes, ordinances, and standards relating to health, sanitation, fire and life safety, and building maintenance
• Provides information, advice, and code interpretation for developers, engineers, property owners, architects and contractors regarding Building Code and City construction regulations; reviews complex code applications for requested code modifications and alternate materials and methods; represents the division, department, and City in Building Code disputes and litigations
• Oversees the review of plans and specifications for buildings and related construction alteration; oversees construction inspections requiring permits to enforce building, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire prevention, housing, accessibility, coastal, geotechnical, and related codes, and regulations for a wide variety of construction types
• Plans, organizes, manages, and directs the City's Wastewater Management Programs; ensures environmental compliance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS); oversees the review and evaluation of OWTS submittals and inspections and investigations of OWTS
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Community Development Director; develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities and services; may present reports to the City Council and other commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to division programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of building safety and wastewater management
• Confers with engineers, developers, property owners, contractors, a variety of agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating building safety and/or wastewater management matters
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints from citizens in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action
• Conducts site inspections, including determining if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations, and ordinances; makes recommendations regarding changes
• Reviews, interprets, and analyzes new and proposed legislation; determines effect of legislation on operations and programs of the Community Development Department; advises Director of findings; takes appropriate action in order to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations; proposes legislation if appropriate
• Serves as a liaison for the division with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Performs related duties as required
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field.
Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in community development, building and safety, engineering, or a related field, including two (2) years in supervisory or management capacity.
Licenses and Certifications:
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record, to be maintained throughout employment
• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Certified Building Official
Supplemental Information
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the Community Development Department
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to wastewater management programs including environmental issues related to OWTS.
• Principles and practices of coastal and geotechnical engineering
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of work; safe driving principles and practices
• Modern principles and practices, technical and legal issues, and research methods of civil engineering, building inspection and codes, and permit processing and compliance
• Methods, materials, techniques, and equipment used in the construction of facilities
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to assigned functional areas
• Practices of researching related legal and technical issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports
• Principles of contract administration and general principles of risk management related to
the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed
Ability to:
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Building Safety, Sustainability and Wastewater Division
• Receive and respond to a variety of questions from the general public, contractors and developers; interpret building safety and wastewater management programs, policies, processes, codes and regulations
• Conduct complex research, compile technical and statistical information to evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices
• Advise on standard construction methods and requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings
• Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, blueprints, and engineering drawings
• Make effective public presentations
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines
• Independently organize work, set priorit