Chief Building Official

Chief Building Official – City of Napa – Napa, CA

Location
:
Napa, California – 78,000 residents in the heart of Napa Valley.

The City of Napa’s Community Resources and Development Department is recruiting a Chief Building Official (CBO) to lead the Building Division. The CBO reports to the Director, oversees a team of eight inspectors, plan examiners, and permit technicians, and manages an operating budget of more than $2 million.

The CBO plans, directs, and coordinates all Building Division activities, ensuring safe construction and use of Napa’s buildings and structures. Key duties include:

• Lead the division’s daily operations and strategic plan to deliver high‑level service to homeowners, businesses, contractors, and the public.
• Manage inspector, plans examiner, and permit technician staff, set goals, mentor, and coach for continuous improvement.
• Oversee a $2 million budget, monitor resources, and keep operations efficient, transparent, and aligned with city priorities.
• Collaborate with Public Works, Fire Prevention, Environmental Health, and other city departments to address construction safety, code compliance, and inter‑agency coordination.
• Interpret building codes, provide technical guidance, and resolve complex code questions fairly and solutions‑oriented.
• Perform difficult field inspections, review major project plans, and perform on‑site inspections for high‑profile projects such as Downtown Landmark Hotel, River sound, former Harvest Middle School, and Measure G capital investments.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, adopt technology, and drive system and process improvements.

Minimum requirements for the role are any combination of experience and education likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities:

• Four (4) years of progressively 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.
• Alternate pathway:
  Two (2) years of college‑level coursework in structural, mechanical, or civil engineering, architecture, or a related field and six (6) years’ experience.
• International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certification as a plans examiner and a building inspector.
• Council of American Building Officials (CABO) certification as a Building Official.
• Strong technical knowledge, code interpretation, and enforcement experience.
• Excellent customer service instincts and emotional intelligence for navigating competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments, drive change, and deliver coordinated, business‑friendly solutions.

The City seeks a leader who pairs technical expertise with strong administrative and people‑management acumen. The successful candidate will:

• Guide, mentor, and support staff while setting clear goals and expectations that reinforce a culture of service, accountability, and teamwork.
• Partner closely with Planning, Public Works, Utilities, and Fire to deliver coordinated, business‑friendly solutions that support the City’s broader mission.
• Represent the division in meetings with public agencies, business and civic groups, design professionals, and community stakeholders as a knowledgeable, solutions‑oriented voice on building, safety, and compliance matters.
• Provide clear technical guidance to ensure uniform code interpretation, consistent enforcement, and a high level of service delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and adopt technology to drive system and process improvements.
• Exhibit strong collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to the greater good of the organization.

Salary Range
: $160,433 – $193,804 (2% salary increase effective July 1 2026 to $163,642 – $197,680).

Benefits package includes:

• Retirement: 2% @ 60 and 2% @ 62 CalPERS contribution formulas.
• Medical insurance:
  Choice of Kaiser or Western Health Advantage with 85% employer contribution.
• Dental insurance:
  City contribution.
• Health in‑lieu option: $500/month.
• Vacation: 120 – 206 hours annual accrual with cash‑out program.
• Holidays: 14…