Building Official Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

The Chief Building Official plans, organizes, supervises, directs, performs, and coordinates
activities of the Building Division within the Community Development Department including
complex level work related to building division administration, building inspection, plan review and
code enforcement of building standards. The Chief Building Official is the City’s designated
authority charged with administration and enforcement of local, State and Federal codes for
buildings and structures within the City. The Chief Building Official is also the designated
floodplain administrator, charged with administration and enforcement of the City’s Floodplain
management regulations.

The Chief Building Official is responsible for supervising the City’s Building Inspector(s),
Plans Examiner(s) and other technical and administrative staff as assigned and provides
the administration, enforcement, and interpretations of the California Building Standards
Code.

The Chief Building Official is distinguished from the Building Inspector I and II, and Plans
Examiner positions in that the latter are journey level class and perform general building
inspection, plans examination and code enforcement duties for residential and nonresidential
structures. The Chief Building Official is the supervisory/management level individual responsible
for the administration, management, and fulfillment of all Building Division services. In addition,
the Chief Building Official will perform difficult and complex plan reviews, inspections, and
construction code enforcement activities and will further augment those services to meet service
level standards of the Building Division. The Chief Building Official uses professional judgment to
make sound decisions based on a broad level of knowledge of code requirements and City
policies and procedures and is the final staff authority for approving alternative materials and
interpreting and enforcing the CA Building Standards Code. This class is responsible for first line
supervision, works more independently, and exercises a greater degree of discretion and
authority in execution of duties.

Receives general direction and supervision from the Community Development Director.

Exercises direct supervision over the Building Inspector and Plans Examiner positions.

Exercises general supervision over technical and administrative support staff assigned to the
Building Division.

The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential
duties, skills, and demands.

Duties: Duties typically include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement divisional goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, perform and direct Building Division activities including
  complex professional-level work related to building inspection services, plan review,
  permit issuance and code enforcement.
• Act as the state and local statutory authority and responsibility as Building Official for all
  matters pertaining to permitting, review of building plans, inspection, abatement,
  administration and enforcement of various building codes.
• Serve as the City’s technical expert in the interpretation of building and safety codes.
• Provide effective management and leadership for the Building Division in a manner that
  actively demonstrates a commitment to the City’s core values, principles of continuous
  improvement, the City’s safety programs and policy, characterized by an openness to
  innovative approaches.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Building Division work plan;
  assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate
  work products, methods and procedures.
• Oversee the maintenance, modifications and periodic updating of the City’s electronic
  permitting system and the Building Division web site, including, but not limited to, forms,
  informational handouts, procedures, resources, reports, and related items accessible to
  and useable by the public.
• Prepare the Building Division budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the
  forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies;
  administer the approved budget.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide and coordinate staff training; conduct
  performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain
  discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the
  Building Division.
• Provide the lead role in coordinating the review and inspection of development projects
  with other divisions and departments, and with developers, owners, and design
  professionals, to include communication, negotiation, problem resolution and seeking
  technically acceptable options to ensure a successful project outcome.
• Actively promote the City’s focus on effective and respectful communications to build
  better work relationships at all levels in the organization by emphasizing the concepts of
  self-awareness, emotional intelligence, productive conflict and conflict resolution, and
  prompt resolution of relational issues or miscommunication.
• Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; ensure
  preparation of high-quality, well-written, and logical City Council communications and
  correspondence with the public; provide well-considered, engaging, and responsive
  presentations to the City Council, as needed, during meetings.
• Support development and deliver the implementation of meaningful key performance
  indicators at the City and department level to measure performance relative to goals and
  drive organizational improvement over time.
• Advise the City Council on appropriate changes to ordinances to meet local conditions
  and on legislative matters of importance to the community well-being; prepare ordinances
  for amendments and adoption of the State Building Standards Code.
• Responsible for the mitigation and abatement of substandard or unsafe buildings
  or structures.
• Serve as the City’s designated Floodplain Administrator; responsible for administering and
  enforcing the City’s Floodplain Management ordinance(s).
• Responsible for administering and performing damage safety assessments following an
  emergency or disaster.
• Administer the building permit appeals process; serve as the ex-officio member of the
  building Board of Appeals.
• Administer and maintain Building Division records maintenance in accordance with the
  City’s records retention schedule and state law.
• Investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire, explosion, construction
  defect, structural damage or other hazardous condition pertaining to building construction;
  issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with the applicable codes.
• Review, research and evaluate alternative construction materials, alternative designs and
  alternative methods of construction; approve or deny alternatives based on tests and/or
  findings of fact.
• Evaluate, justify and implement Building Division fee schedules and methodologies.
• Evaluate and justify staffing levels; assemble building statistics and reports; provide
  technical advice and make definitive decisions related to building code matters.
• Assist the Community Development Director and other staff with technical expertise on a
  variety of development, capital improvement, code enforcement and related projects as
  needed, including preparation of reports, studies, and correspondence.
• Supervise, assign, balance, coordinate building inspection, plan check and code
  enforcement workload and staff resources to meet service level standards; perform and
  supervise field inspections and plan reviews of all types of buildings and phases of
  construction.
• Review construction applications for adequate design and compliance with State codes
  and local ordinances; prepare written plan review correction letters, trouble shoot
  code/permit issues; assign project valuation, calculate fees and issue permits; maintain
  records related to building permits, building inspection and plan review.
• Explain and interpret applicable codes and ordinances for contractors, design
  professionals, property owners and the public; handle and respond to difficult and
  sensitive inquiries or community complaints.
• Represent the Building Division to outside agencies and organizations; participate in
  outside community groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and code hearings; maintain
  awareness of new trends and developments in the field of building inspection; incorporate
  new developments as appropriate.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written
  correspondence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees
  and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Foster a working environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned by the Community Development
  Director.

Skills and Abilities:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Intermittently analyze
  work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical
  information; observe and problem solve building inspection activities; sit at desk for long
  periods of time; and stand at the counter to answer questions of the public.
• Follow safe and proper work practices and inspection techniques to examine construction
  workmanship and materials; visit construction sites and conduct building code
  inspections; conduct job-site evaluations of construction projects for the purpose of
  monitoring/enforcing compliance with approved plans and code requirements; apply
  technical knowledge and follow proper plan review and inspection techniques to examine
  and analyze appropriate workmanship, materials and methos of construction.
• Read, analyze, and interpret complex building plans, specifications and building codes;
  detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices; research
  code issues; enforce building codes and construction standards; determine whether
  construction systems conform to requirements.
• On an ongoing and continuous basis, complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing
  education for every three-year period, with at least eight hours regarding disability access
  requirements.
• Provide technical assistance and make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Apply rules, codes and policies regarding zoning, environmental matters, and other
  regulations to field situations; enforce all necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job
  responsibilities.
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Effectively communicate in English language, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in
  writing.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff; supervise, train and evaluate
  personnel.
• Work with professional architects, engineers, builders, and the general public.
• Formulate and apply uniform policies and standards for the Building Division; formulate,
• interpret and explain specific building codes, ordinances and administrative orders.
• Research regulations, procedures and/or technical materials relating to building
  codes and enforcement.
• Represent the City before other agencies and groups on Building Division matters.
• Make effective presentations before large and small groups of people.
• Coordinate services with other City departments and with outside organizations, and
  agencies.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed
  actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work in a standard office setting and outdoor field environment with some travel from site
  to site.
• Intermittently, walk, stand, kneel, climb, crouch, reach, twist, and bend in the field; work
  and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough
  terrain; work extended hours including evenings and weekends; stand or sit for prolonged
  periods of time; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine
  manipulation; use repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including using a
  computer keyboard to regularly write or communicate, and occasionally lift or carry weight
  of 50 pounds or less. Specific vision abilities required by this job inc