Building Safety Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $181,961.73 - $227,854.02 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 2026-08-1026
Department: Planning
Division: Building and Safety
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Building & Safety Manager in the Planning Department! This position is designated as the City's Chief Building Official and has division level responsibilities for the overall administration and direction of the City's building, zoning, housing, fire, and related codes and regulations.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience providing administrative and technical oversight for building construction activities, building code enforcement, rental housing safety enforcement and grant funded programs. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to manage high performing teams; communicate effectively and tactfully, in writing, verbally, and in presentations to boards, commissions, and elected officials; leverage expert knowledge of state and municipal building and housing codes and ordinances and other relevant codes; provide excellent customer service to a variety of clients; develop, maintain and improve operational procedures related to plan checks, inspections, permit issuances, and other relevant functions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of collaborators; and balance competing priorities within a fast-paced environment.
The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill a temporary vacancy not to exceed 1 year.
See the full job specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is:
Equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a major in civil engineering, architecture, urban planning or a closely related field; and five (5) years of experience in building services and enforcement functions (including standards development), which includes at least five (5) years of professional level experience in the enforcement of building codes and ordinances. At least two (2) years of the experience noted above must have included responsibility for the supervision of a sizable enforcement staff. Experience in dealing with citizen boards is desirable.
Substitutions:

1. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college course work on a year-for-year basis.
2. Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Building Official certification and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience at a senior level in building and safety services equivalent to the Senior Building Plans Examiner may be substituted for the supervisory experience.

Other requirements:
Possession of a valid International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner or Building Inspector certification is required. A California license as a Structural or Civil Engineer is desirable. Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must be able to attend evening meetings.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on September 7, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required certification(s)
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see ).
Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
(PEU)
01
Do you have a four-year degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, or a closely related field? Please indicate degree and/or major coursework.
02
Please list your job titles and dates that account for the required five years of professional level experience in the enforcement of building codes and ordinances. In depth duties must be reflected in the Work History section of this application.
03
Please indicate which certification(s) you currently hold:

• Valid International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner Certification
• Valid Building Inspector Certification
• California license as a Structural or Civil Engineer
• Other
• None of the above.

04
If you answered "other" in the previous question, please indicate the certification you possess.
05
Describe your experience supervising staff responsible for the enforcement of building codes and ordinances. Include in your answer the number of staff members you have supervised, a summary of your supervisory responsibilities, and a description of the tools and methods you employ to ensure effective supervision of staff.
06
Describe some of the biggest challenges and opportunities presently faced by municipal Building & Safety Divisions in California. Explain how your skills and experience will enable you to lead the division to address these challenges and opportunities.
07
I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question