Chief Building Official

DESCRIPTION
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general direction of the Community Development Director, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing difficult and complex support duties related to all programs and activities of the Building Division; administers Building Code activities; manages the effective use of the City's permit processing, plans examination, building inspection, and code compliance resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; acts in a supervisory role to the Code Enforcement Division and Building Division staff; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Director and in areas of expertise; and performs related duties, as assigned. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices:

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Building Division and Code Enforcement Division, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code enforcement.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of building inspection, plans examination, code enforcement and permit processing services and activities; assesses and monitors workloads, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of and oversees the Building Division and Code Enforcement Division budget.
• Participates in the selection of, trains or coordinates training, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director; develops and reviews staff reports related to building inspection, plans examination, and permit processing; presents reports to the City Council, commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Serves as source of information for developers, engineers, property owners, 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.
• Performs preliminary review of projects submitted to the City Council and Planning Commission; performs site inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local construction codes works closely with other departments in addressing City construction projects and code interpretations.
• Negotiates, administers, and manages contracts for services.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program and project development, implementation, management, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned division.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the division.
• Principles, practices, methods, materials, techniques, and safety standards of building construction, building inspection, and structural design for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
• Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life safety, energy, housing, zoning, and related codes.
• Principles and practices of plan checking and plan review processes; basic principles and practices of civil and structural engineering.
• Business letter writing and report preparation techniques.
• Records management principles and practices.
• 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.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Manage and monitor complex projects, on time and within budget.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff, train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education and Training: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, construction management, architecture, or related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience leading or overseeing a comprehensive plans examination and enforcement of building codes in a public agency setting which included at least two (2) years of management or supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certificates: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license upon hire. Possession of a Combination Inspector Certificate by the International Code Council (ICC). Possession of valid International Code Council (ICC) certification as either Building Official or Plans Examiner Certificate. If only one certification is possessed, other certification shall be obtained within twelve months of hire date. CASP certification is highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The City will engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interruptions. At times, the incumbent may be asked to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings and training. Field work may also be required that includes occasional exposure to loud noise levels, fluctuating temperatures, odors, gases or contact with water or wastewater.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.