Chief Building Official

Overview

The purpose of this position is to administer and enforce various Town and state codes regulating the construction, use, and occupancy of buildings and structures for the Town of Bluffton. The role also oversees daily operations, directs the Building Safety Office, performs inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings during and after construction to ensure code compliance, ensures that plan reviews and inspections are conducted on a timely basis, answers technical questions on code compliance, oversees related budget and spending, and performs related administrative, supervisory, and technical work.

• Plan, direct, and supervise all activities of the office including plan reviews and building inspections; ensure compliance with all applicable Town policies and procedures, laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Supervise office staff, consultants, and contract employees; instruct, plan, and assign work; coordinate activities; allocate personnel; select new employees; act on employee problems; provide feedback; and recommend/approve employee discipline and discharge when warranted.
• Serve as the Fire Code Office r and Floodplain Administrator for vertical construction.
• Conduct commercial plan reviews; communicate with architects, engineers, contractors, and owners throughout the planning, correcting, and issuing the permit.
• Administer the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
• Review the work of assigned employees and contractors for completeness and accuracy; evaluate and make recommendations as appropriate; offer advice and assistance as needed.
• Provide training and professional development of staff; ensure inspectors and plan examiners maintain required certifications.
• Prepare and administer the office budget.
• Develop, implement, and modify office policies and procedures pertaining to building inspection and plan review.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for changes in the Town’s ordinances related to building inspection and permitting.
• Monitor the progress of activities; ensure resources are efficiently used and projects stay on schedule.
• Interpret building codes and regulations.
• Meet with contractors and design professionals to coordinate plan review, inspection(s), and permitting activities.
• Resolve conflicts between contractors and office staff.
• Conduct the more difficult inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; assist assigned employees with inspections as necessary; inspect properties for substandard conditions or structural damage as requested by Fire or Police Department personnel.
• Work 24‑hour per day, seven days per week for emergency response as scheduled; ensure appropriate staffing for on‑call service.
• Receive and respond to public inquiries, concerns, and complaints regarding office and department programs and projects; attend community meetings and events related to building safety programs and services.
• Attend training, conferences, seminars, meetings, etc., to maintain awareness of current legislation, trends, and technology in the building inspection and plan review field.
• Receive and review construction/architectural plans, site inspection reports, correspondence, permit applications, etc.
• Prepare certificates of occupancy; ordinances; plan review reports; inspection reports; budget documents; citations; performance appraisals; and various other records, reports, memos, correspondence.
• Operate a vehicle and office equipment, including computer, copier, telephone, calculator, two‑way radios, fax machine, etc.
• Interact and communicate with supervisors, directors, employees, mayor, town council members, owners contractors, architects, engineers, developers, county personnel, outside professionals, agencies, news media, and the public.
• Implement Town Council goals and the Town Manager’s Work Program by recommending projects to the Town Manager.
• Lead in addressing building safety issues; coordinate with adjacent local jurisdictions, state, and regional agencies on building safety activities.
• Educate public and building community about building safety issues and activities through written materials, oral…