Building Official

Overview

Job Title:

Building Official

Department:
Community Development

Reports To:

Department Director

Employee Type:
Fulltime

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Effective Date: 08.2017

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to (1) review and approve applications for construction permits for residential and moderately complex commercial projects such as tenant improvements, remodels, and small structures based on applicable codes, ordinances, and administrative directives enforced by the Community Services Department; (2) provide construction inspection services, including building and public works inspections; (3) enforce land use and zoning ordinances, issue citations, write inspection reports, make compliance recommendations for zoning, safety, and building statutes, and implement public information initiatives for compliance with applicable regulations, and (4) provide rental property inspections to identify deficient, substandard, unsafe and/or unsanitary residential buildings and dwelling units, and ensure compliance with all applicable building, housing, zoning, and health and safety codes and ordinances.

Under the direction of the Community Services Director, work independently and make decisions requiring broad technical expertise.

• Advises construction permit applicants as to whether the proposed construction conforms to building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes, zoning ordinances, and related regulations and directives.
• Reviews plans, specifications, and other data for building permits, approve or deny applications for residential, commercial, and industrial construction permits, ensure permits meet requirements and are issued in accordance with established procedures, and determine appropriate building permit and inspection fees.
• Interprets codes and informs applicants of construction code and zoning requirements.
• Inspects materials, grades, and other work for new and existing residential, commercial, and industrial properties for conformance with codes, regulations, plans, specifications, details, and standard construction practices related to foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, access, life safety, energy compliance, and other functional elements.
• Observes work in progress to ensure that procedures are followed and materials used conform to specifications.
• For City construction and maintenance projects performed by contractors, compute monthly estimates of work completed and recommends payment for contractors.
• Ensures that proper safety and traffic control procedures are followed.
• Confers with and provide information to developers, engineers, architects, property owners, contractors, and others regarding code requirements and alternatives; resolve complaints and problems.
• Investigates complaints regarding existing buildings or new construction to determine if code violations or problem conditions exist; reviews buildings for business usage and for occupancy after fires or other occurrences.
• Performs rental property inspections to identify deficient, substandard, unsafe and/or unsanitary residential buildings and dwelling units; advises owners of required rehabilitation; and ensures compliance with all applicable building, housing, zoning, and or health and safety codes and ordinances.
• Issues certificates of compliance under the City’s Residential Rental Inspection program.
• Prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, procedures, and other written materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Responds to the more difficult questions and concerns from the general public; provide information as appropriate; and resolve public service complaints.
• Demonstrates a full understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties; estimates time, materials and equipment necessary for the successful completion of the project; and acquires necessary resources as appropriate.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management, staff and the public.
• Work toward improving customer service and public interaction as required.

Knowledge of:

• City codes, ordinances, and directives, including building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, life safety, energy, and zoning requirements applicable to building and construction trades.
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures related to code enforcement.
• Various construction materials and practices, methods, and stages of construction.
• Mathematical principles required to perform related technical calculations.
• Symbols and terminology used in architectural and engineering drawings.
• Practices for documenting inspections and correcting violations.
• Techniques and methods of housing inspection to identify building, zoning, and health and safety concerns.
• Effective analytical and interviewing techniques.
• Technical report writing skills and citation…