Building Official

The City of Bellingham is looking for its next Building Official to join our Planning and Community Development Department. If you are a solution-oriented individual that values the opportunity to help shape the built environment and want to be part of a progressive organization that is taking a proactive approach towards growth management and the changing needs of our community, please check out this employment opportunity.  

The Building Official exercises the legally mandated authority to administer, enforce, and interpret all adopted construction codes. Develops policies and procedures, supervises assigned staff and ensures all permit issuance, inspection, plan examination and enforcement is performed in conformance to adopted municipal and construction codes. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The current full salary range for this position is $10,152/month - $12,300/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours of sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

 

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

*This position is open until filled with a first review on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 4:30 pm. The position may be closed at any time following the first review.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: 

1. Ensures residential and commercial buildings and other structures within the City are permitted and inspected to conform to the various uniform/model, construction and municipal code requirements. 
2. Plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the work assignments of assigned staff; assesses and monitors workloads; identifies and resolves problems. 
3. Interprets construction and municipal codes. Renders advice, judgments and decisions to staff, developers, builders and the general public. 
4. Directs all on-site field building inspections and performs such as needed. Also responsible for resolving unusual or difficult situations regarding inspections and approvals encountered by inspectors and other employees. 
5. Directs all structural and non-structural building plan reviews and performs such as needed on all proposed residential, commercial and public building and development projects to ensure compliance with construction code requirements, state laws and municipal ordinances. Approves or disapproves plans, alterations and changes. 
6. Under the direction of the Development Services Manager, develops and administers Permit Center operating policies as well as necessary and effective permitting approval requirements and procedures in conjunction with other lead permit review staff. Provides guidance to Permit Technicians and Permit Center Supervisor.
7. Develops and maintains local modifications to state-mandated building codes; prepares adopting ordinances. Investigates, responds and resolves citizen complaints and referrals from other agencies. 
8. Delegates responsibility and authority to assigned personnel as appropriate. Monitors daily work activities to assure the timely and accurate completion of assigned responsibilities. 
9. Manages and monitors contracts with outside consultants. Writes requests for proposals (RFPs), develops scope of work and reviews and coordinates final contract terms. Facilitates the RFP process and serves as project manager. 
10. Supervises staff and evaluates work. Makes hiring recommendations, assigns and prioritizes work assignments, conducts performance appraisals, and recommends disciplinary actions. Orients and trains new employees. 
11. Supports the training, monitoring, and audit process for City and private inspectors associated with the Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program. Serves as auditor to ensure compliance with program requirements and standards. 
12. Makes recommendations for the Development Services annual budget. Participates on Permit Center Leadership Team including preparing and prioritizing work program. Develops and completes special projects to promote efficiencies in building permit review process. May participate in Planning and Community Development Department and/or Permit Center long range, strategic planning activities. Prepares and recommends objectives, methodologies and associated schedules. 

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED: 

1. May represent the City, department and/or Permit Center at professional organizations, conferences, legislative hearings, and other external meetings or proceedings. 
2. Performs other related duties of a similar nature or level. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Occasional time is spent in the field performing building inspections as needed. Field work is performed at construction sites in various states of completion, where standard safety practices are always expected. May require climbing ladders, construction stairs, scaffolding and steep sites. Access to under floor areas and attic spaces require bending, kneeling and crawling. Lighting may be limited, movement may be restricted, loud noises may be present, and terrain may be rugged. Sites may be wet and slippery. All weather conditions should be expected. 

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

• Frequently operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a keyboard, mouse and phone; 
• Communicate accurate information and ideas; 
• Move between work sites;
• Lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds; 
• Safely move about construction sites, including the ability to bend, kneel and crawl;
• Traverse difficult and undeveloped terrain. 

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, public administration or a related field preferred. 
• Ten (10) years of experience in Building Plans Examination, Building Inspection and/or Construction Management required, which must include five (5) years of supervisory experience. 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. 
• ICC certification as a Certified Building Official required within six (6) months from date of hire.
• ICC certification as a Building Plans Examiner, Residential Building Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector required at time of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving record abstract prior to hire.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for June 2, 2026. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around May 21, 2026.
 
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

 
Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. 
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. 
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied. 
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Salary : $121,824 - $147,600