Chief Building Official

Description

The City of Napa is seeking a Chief Building Official (CBO). The CBO will plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of the Building Division within the Community Resources and Development Department. The Division ensures that projects meet essential standards designed to protect life, health, property, and overall public welfare by applying adopted state and local codes, reviewing construction plans, issuing permits, and performing inspections.

The CBO oversees a team of eight dedicated professionals—including building inspectors, a plans examiner, and permit technicians—within an operating budget of a little more than $2 million.

• Lead and mentor the Building Division staff, setting clear goals and expectations that reinforce a culture of service, accountability, and teamwork.
• Coordinate with Planning, Public Works, Utilities, Fire, and other city departments to develop and manage a “one‑stop” permitting process, providing responsive support to homeowners, businesses, contractors, and the general public.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of the Division’s annual budget; manage resources proactively and ensure operations remain efficient, transparent, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Perform difficult field inspections and review major project plans prior to permit issuance; offer expert advice to staff, applicants, and partner departments, and resolve complex code questions in a fair, practical, and solutions‑oriented manner.
• Lead system and process improvements, including technology upgrades and workflow enhancements.
• Represent the Division in meetings with public agencies, business and civic groups, design professionals, and community stakeholders as a knowledgeable, solutions‑oriented, trusted voice on building, safety, and compliance matters.

• Downtown Landmark Hotel & Paseo – overseeing a multi‑phase commercial build with significant public visibility and interdepartmental coordination.
• Riversound – guiding consistent interpretation of building codes while supporting innovation and a predictable permitting environment.
• Acquisition of the former Harvest Middle School – reviewing structures, public facilities, and improvements for community service amenities.
• Measure G Capital Investments – partnering closely with Public Works and other departments to ensure safe, timely, code‑compliant delivery of public‑sector construction activity.

• Responsive, relationship‑driven communicator with strong customer service instincts and emotional intelligence.
• Strong collaborator who understands the importance of integration with Planning, Public Works, Utilities, and Fire.
• Leader who pairs technical expertise with strong administrative and people‑management acumen; capable of managing budgets, resource allocation, and fostering professional growth.
• Technical experience: minimum four (4) years of increasingly responsible building inspection and plan check experience in a management or supervisory role and a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in construction‑related or management‑related fields; or alternative combinations of education and experience as described.
• Certifications:
  
  International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certification as a plans examiner and a building inspector, and Council of American Building Officials (CABO) certification as a Building Official.

The current salary range for Chief Building Official is $160,433 - $193,804
, and a 2% salary increase will take effect on July 1, 2026 ($163,642 - $197,680
) depending on qualifications.

Benefits include: retirement (CalPERS formulas as detailed), medical insurance (Kaiser or Western Health Advantage with city contribution), dental insurance, health in‑lieu option, vacation accrual, 14 paid holidays plus a floating holiday, up to 13 days of management leave, 12 days of sick leave, deferred compensation contributions, phone stipend, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, retiree health coverage, bilingual pay, and safety show allowance.

For a full list of benefits, please visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.