Building Official

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 direction of the Development Services Director, the Building Official administers all City activities related to building safety, construction regulation, plan review, inspection, and full-service code enforcement. The position supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for building inspection, plan check, and enforcement of building, zoning, housing, nuisance, fire, and health and safety codes. The Building Official ensures uniform interpretation and enforcement of applicable federal, state, and local laws; oversees the City’s code enforcement program including complaint intake, investigation, abatement, administrative citations, and hearings; prepares and presents cases before the Board of Appeals, City Council, and courts; and provides professional and technical assistance to staff, applicants, contractors, and the public. The incumbent develops goals and objectives for the Division, ensures work quality and adherence to established procedures, and performs the most complex technical duties. 

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single-incumbent management classification responsible for the full administration of the Building & Safety Division and the City’s Code Enforcement program. The incumbent must possess extensive knowledge of building construction, inspection practices, code interpretation, enforcement procedures, and due process requirements. The position exercises independent judgment, manages sensitive enforcement matters, and represents the City in regulatory, administrative, and judicial proceedings. 

REPRESENTATIVE 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.  

Building & Safety Administration

1. Plan review oversight — Supervises and participates in the examination of plans and specifications for completeness and compliance with applicable codes. 

2. Inspection management — Plans, prioritizes, assigns, and reviews inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial structures in all stages of construction. 

3. Ensures compliance with structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, accessibility, energy, and fire-life safety requirements. 

4. Issues correction notices, notices of violation, and stop-work orders for deliberate or negligent noncompliance.                                                  

5. Maintains comprehensive inspection records and documentation. 

Code Enforcement Program Management

1. Complaint intake & investigation — Receives, investigates, and resolves complaints involving zoning, building, housing, nuisance, fire hazards, and health and safety violations. 

2. Conducts field inspections of properties, vacant lots, and structures; documents violations; prepares abatement cases. 

3. Issues notices of violation, administrative citations, and compliance orders. 

4. Coordinates enforcement actions with Police, Fire, Public Works, and other departments. 

5. Prepares written reports, correspondence, and case files for administrative hearings and court proceedings; testifies as needed. 

6. Works with neighborhood groups to address blight and quality-of-life issues. 

Division Leadership & Administration

1. Staff supervision — Selects, trains, evaluates, and disciplines assigned staff; provides technical guidance and code interpretation. 

2. Develops goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Building & Safety and Code Enforcement programs. 

3. Participates in budget preparation and administration; monitors expenditures. 

4. Reviews and recommends adoption of new codes, standards, and ordinances. 

5. Serves as ex officio member of the Board of Appeals. 

Customer Service & Public Interface 

1. Responds to inquiries from builders, contractors, developers, property owners, and tenants regarding code requirements. 

2. Assists applicants at the public counter; issues permits and collects fees. 

3. Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints. 

4. Represents the City at meetings, professional groups, and public hearings. 

Other Duties  

1. Coordinates activities with other departments and outside agencies. 

2. Prepares clear and concise reports, presentations, and documentation. 

3. Performs related duties as required. 

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: 

1. Comprehensive building code administration and enforcement programs. 
2. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. 
3. Building inspection, plan checking, construction methods, and building materials. 
4. Code enforcement practices, nuisance abatement, and administrative due process. 
5. Municipal codes and ordinances regulating structures and land use. 
6. California Building Standards Code (CBC), California Fire Code, and related state regulations. 
7. Procedures of regulatory agencies involved in permitting. 
8. Principles of budget preparation and administration. 
9. Modern office procedures, recordkeeping, and computer applications. 

Ability to:

1. Coordinate and direct a comprehensive building and code enforcement program. 
2. Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff. 
3. Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. 
4. Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions.                                                  
5. Prepare clear, concise reports and documentation. 
6. Communicate effectively, tactfully, and professionally. 
7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
8. Represent the City effectively in meetings and enforcement proceedings. 
9. Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines. 

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/Training: Education/Training:  Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in building construction, engineering, architecture, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.  

Experience:  Five years of increasingly responsible experience in building or structural design, construction, plan check, inspection, or building technology, including two years of administrative and/or supervisory experience.  Experience in municipal code enforcement is highly desirable. 

License/Certificate: 

?  Valid California Class C driver license. 

? Certification as a Building Official by the International Code Council (ICC). 

? Additional ICC certifications (Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, Residential Inspector) are desirable.

? Code Enforcement Officer certification from a recognized agency (ICEA or ICC) is desirable. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Environment:  Standard office setting with travel to various locations to attend meetings and to perform inspections; the employee often works in and around building and construction sites and in outside weather conditions. 

Physical:  Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and in a field environment; walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; 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.